Chapter 8: The Woman He Had Chosen Before He Loved Her
Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the silence after Peter's call.
The house was empty.
Malcolm's clothes were still hanging in the closet, but she had already packed her own belongings.
She called Peter back.
He answered immediately.
"Did you speak to anyone about this?""
"No.""
"Good. Keep it that way.""
"Tell me about the patent assignment.""
Peter sighed.
"Six years ago, Andre and Daniel developed a new control system. It was the foundation of the company's federal contract. The technology was valuable, but the ownership documents were complicated.""
"Why?""
"Because the original research was conducted partly through a university laboratory. The assignment had to be completed before the funding agreement could close.""
Vanessa frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?""
"Andre kept the original documents in a secure case at your apartment.""
She went completely still.
"What apartment?""
"Your old apartment. The one you shared with Andre.""
Vanessa remembered the small office beside their bedroom.
Andre's drawings.
His filing cabinets.
The metal case he had kept under the desk.
"I thought those were technical plans.""
"Some were. But one document was the original patent assignment.""
"Why would Malcolm think I had it?""
"Because he believed Andre had given you access to the case.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"He never did.""
"Then Malcolm made a mistake.""
"What happened to the case?""
"That's what I need to know.""
Vanessa thought back.
After the divorce, she had packed quickly.
She had hired movers.
Some boxes had gone into storage.
Others had been donated.
She remembered the metal case.
She had seen it once in the hallway.
But she couldn't remember what happened to it.
"Peter, I need to find it.""
"Don't tell Malcolm.""
"I won't.""
"Vanessa, listen to me. If the original assignment is missing, Malcolm may have a way to challenge Helix's ownership of the technology.""
She looked toward the empty hallway.
"Then we need to find it before he does.""
The next morning, Vanessa met Peter at a small café outside downtown Chicago.
He was in his late fifties, with thinning hair and nervous hands.
He arrived carrying a brown envelope.
"You came alone?"" he asked.
"Yes.""
"Good.""
He sat opposite her.
Vanessa didn't waste time.
"Why did you help Malcolm?""
Peter looked down.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"He knew I had altered the financial records. He said he would expose me if I didn't cooperate.""
"So you helped him steal money.""
"I processed payments. I didn't take the money myself.""
"But you knew.""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Did Malcolm approach me because of the patent?""
Peter looked uncomfortable.
"Yes.""
The answer struck her harder than she expected.
"When?""
"Before your first date.""
She stared.
"Before?""
"He knew who you were. He knew you were Andre's wife, and he knew you were planning to leave.""
Vanessa's voice became quiet.
"How?""
"He had someone watching the company. He knew about the financial problems. He knew you were frustrated.""
She closed her eyes.
"Did he arrange for us to meet?""
Peter hesitated.
"Not exactly. But he arranged to be at that charity dinner. He wanted to speak to you.""
Vanessa felt sick.
"So the relationship was planned.""
"I can't say he never developed real feelings.""
She looked at him.
"That's the kindest thing anyone has said about him, and somehow it makes it worse.""
Peter pushed the envelope across the table.
"These are copies of the original storage records. The metal case was moved to a commercial storage facility after your divorce.""
Vanessa opened the envelope.
A storage unit number appeared on the first page.
"Who rented it?""
"Malcolm.""
Her stomach dropped.
"Why would he rent it?""
"He believed the case was inside.""
"Was it?""
Peter shook his head.
"No. The facility was emptied before he could retrieve anything.""
"By whom?""
Peter looked at her.
"You.""
Vanessa stared.
"I moved it?""
"According to the records, you collected several boxes from the unit eighteen months after the divorce.""
She tried to remember.
A storage facility.
Cardboard boxes.
A rainy afternoon.
She had been clearing out the last things from her marriage.
"Where did I put them?""
Peter shrugged.
"I don't know.""
Vanessa looked down at the envelope.
Then she remembered something.
Her mother had helped her move those boxes into a small storage room at her old family home.
She had never gone through them.
She stood immediately.
"I have to go.""
Peter grabbed her wrist.
"One more thing.""
"What?""
"Malcolm knows the patent assignment is missing. He also knows Andre has been investigating the transfers.""
"So?""
Peter's face tightened.
"He may try to leave the country.""
At Helix, Andre received the same warning from Eleanor.
"Malcolm has requested access to his personal accounts and company correspondence," she said.
"Has he been cooperating?""
"No. His attorney has informed us that he intends to challenge the suspension.""
Andre looked at the documents.
"What about the recording?""
"Secured. We have a verified copy.""
"And the patent assignment?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Still missing.""
Andre stood.
"How serious is that?""
"Very. The company has copies of the registration documents, but the original assignment contains additional language that may resolve a dispute concerning the university's early contribution.""
"Can we operate without it?""
"Yes. But if Malcolm has obtained a competing claim, the company could face a lengthy legal dispute.""
Andre looked at her.
"Has he obtained one?""
"We don't know.""
A knock sounded at the door.
Olivia entered.
"Mr. Bennett, Vanessa Cole is on the phone.""
Andre glanced at Eleanor.
"Put her through.""
A moment later, Vanessa's voice came through the speaker.
"Andre?""
"Yes.""
"I think I know where the original patent assignment is.""
Andre straightened.
"Where?""
"In a storage room at my mother's old house.""
He was silent.
"How did you find that out?""
"Peter Lawson.""
Andre's expression changed.
"You met Peter?""
"Yes. He explained why Malcolm approached me.""
Andre looked toward Eleanor.
"Did he give you anything?""
"Storage records. I'm going to search the boxes today.""
Andre considered this.
"Don't go alone.""
"I can handle it.""
"Vanessa.""
She stopped.
"Yes?""
"If Malcolm is looking for that document, you need to be careful.""
Her voice softened.
"I know.""
Andre turned to Eleanor.
"Arrange for legal counsel to accompany her.""
Vanessa interrupted.
"Andre, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Malcolm knew who I was before we met.""
Andre didn't respond.
"He knew I was your wife. He knew I was unhappy. He believed I had access to your documents.""
A long silence followed.
Then Andre asked, "Are you telling me he deliberately pursued you?""
"Yes.""
Andre looked down at his desk.
For a moment, he remembered seeing Malcolm at the anniversary gala with his arm around Vanessa.
The man had been standing beside his former wife, smiling as though he had won something.
Now Andre understood what he had actually wanted.
"I'll have our legal team investigate," he said.
Vanessa swallowed.
"Andre?""
"Yes?""
"I'm sorry.""
He closed his eyes.
"Find the document first.""
That afternoon, Vanessa drove to her mother's former home.
The house had been sold two years earlier, but the new owner, an elderly woman named Mrs. Patterson, agreed to let her retrieve the remaining boxes from the basement storage room.
Mrs. Patterson opened the door.
"Your mother told me you might come back someday.""
Vanessa gave a faint smile.
"I didn't think it would be under these circumstances.""
The basement smelled of dust and old wood.
Three cardboard boxes sat beneath a staircase.
Vanessa knelt and opened the first.
Christmas decorations.
Old photographs.
A broken lamp.
The second contained kitchen items and books.
The third was heavier.
Inside were folders, notebooks, and rolled-up engineering drawings.
Her hands began trembling.
She removed one folder.
Andre's handwriting appeared on the front.
*ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT RECORDS.*
She opened it.
Inside were technical diagrams.
A photograph of Andre and Daniel.
Several university agreements.
Then, beneath a stack of papers, she found a thin leather document case.
It was the same one she remembered seeing in their old apartment.
She opened it.
A thick envelope rested inside.
The words on the front were unmistakable.
*PATENT ASSIGNMENT — ORIGINAL EXECUTED COPY.*
Vanessa nearly cried.
She took out her phone and called Eleanor.
"I found it.""
Eleanor's voice became urgent.
"Do not remove anything from the case until our attorney arrives.""
"It's here. I'm looking at it.""
"Good. Please remain where you are.""
Vanessa looked toward the basement stairs.
Then she heard a sound.
A car door closing outside.
Mrs. Patterson called from upstairs.
"Vanessa? There's a man here asking for you.""
Vanessa's heart stopped.
"Who?""
The elderly woman hesitated.
"He says his name is Malcolm.""
Malcolm stood in the front hallway.
He wore a dark coat and held a small bouquet of flowers.
Mrs. Patterson looked confused.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't realize you were expecting company.""
Malcolm smiled.
"She's an old friend. I just need five minutes.""
Vanessa appeared at the top of the basement stairs.
"How did you find me?""
Malcolm looked at her.
"Claire told me.""
Vanessa's stomach tightened.
"Claire?""
"She was worried about you.""
Vanessa glanced toward Mrs. Patterson.
"Could you please give us a moment?""
The older woman nodded reluctantly.
Malcolm stepped closer.
"I know you found the case.""
Vanessa didn't move.
"You've been following me?""
"I've been trying to protect you.""
"From what?""
"From Andre.""
She almost laughed.
"You're unbelievable.""
Malcolm lowered his voice.
"Give me the document.""
"No.""
"Vanessa, this is bigger than you understand.""
"I understand that you forged my signature.""
"That can be explained.""
"I understand that you stole money.""
"That's a legal dispute.""
"And I understand that you pursued me because you thought I could get you access to Andre's patents.""
Malcolm's expression changed.
For a moment, the mask disappeared.
"Do you know how much I sacrificed to get where I am?""
Vanessa stared at him.
"You sacrificed other people's lives.""
He stepped closer.
"Give me the case.""
She held up her phone.
"Eleanor knows I found it.""
Malcolm stopped.
"Then tell her you were mistaken.""
"No.""
His voice dropped.
"Vanessa, you have no idea what happens if that document reaches Andre.""
She looked directly at him.
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that six years ago.""
Malcolm lunged toward the case.
Vanessa pulled it back.
The document envelope slipped from her hands and landed on the floor.
Both of them looked down.
A second envelope fell from inside the case.
It was smaller.
Older.
And addressed in Andre's handwriting.
Malcolm's face went white.
Vanessa picked it up.
"What is this?""
He reached for it.
"Don't open that.""
She stepped backward.
The envelope had a date.
It was dated four days before her divorce.
May you like
And beneath her name, Andre had written:
*To Vanessa — If You Ever Find Out What Malcolm Did.*
