Chapter 9: The File That Disappeared
My father## Chapter 9: The File That Disappeared
My father didn't deny it.
That was the first thing I noticed didn't deny it.
That was the first thing I noticed.
He sat in the conference room with his hands folded on the table, his gaze fixed on the phone Richard had.
He sat in the conference room with his hands folded on the table, his gaze fixed on the phone Richard had just hung up. Rebecca remained perfectly still beside her laptop.
I waited.
“Dad,” I said, “who took my mother's file?””
He looked at me.
“I don't know.””
“Richard just hung up. Rebecca remained perfectly still beside her laptop.
I waited.
“Dad,” I said, “who took my mother's file?””
He looked at me.
“I don't know.””
“Richard says it was someone from Winslow Logistics.””
“Then Richard needs to prove it.””
“Did you ever see the audit?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“The day after your mother died.””
I felt something inside me give way.
“You says it was someone from Winslow Logistics.””
“Then Richard needs to prove it.””
“Did you ever see the audit?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“The day after your mother died.””
I felt something inside me give way.
“You told me you didn't know what happened to her records.””
“I told you I didn't know where the original file went.””
“That isn't the same thing.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't.””
Rebecca leaned forward.
“Harlan, we need to establish exactly what happened. Were you involved in removing the file?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone else to remove it?””
Dad hes told me you didn't know what happened to her records.””
“I told you I didn't know where the original file went.””
“That isn't the same thing.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't.””
Rebecca leaned forward.
“Harlan, we need to establish exactly what happened. Were you involved in removing the file?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone else to remove it?””
Dad hesitated.
Then he looked at me.
“I asked our former legal director to collect the company's records relating to Meridian Systems. I was worried the dispute would expose confidential business information.””
“Did you tell him to take the audit?””
“I told him to collect everything related to the dispute.””
“And the hospitalitated.
Then he looked at me.
“I asked our former legal director to collect the company's records relating to Meridian Systems. I was worried the dispute would expose confidential business information.””
“Did you tell him to take the audit?””
“I told him to collect everything related to the dispute.””
“And the hospital file?””
“I didn't know it was there.””
“Then why didn't you tell me you had sent someone to collect the records?””
Dad's voice broke.
“Because I was ashamed.””
The answer stunned me more than a denial would have.
He continued.
“Your mother had spent months warning me that the Ashworths were trying to interfere with file?””
“I didn't know it was there.””
“Then why didn't you tell me you had sent someone to collect the records?””
Dad's voice broke.
“Because I was ashamed.””
The answer stunned me more than a denial would have.
He continued.
“Your mother had spent months warning me that the Ashworths were trying to interfere with the trust. I thought I could contain the problem without turning it into a public fight. I believed that if I gathered the records, I could understand what had happened and protect the company.””
“But you didn't find the file.””
“No.””
“Did you ask the legal director about it?””
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
“He said he collected the business documents the trust. I thought I could contain the problem without turning it into a public fight. I believed that if I gathered the records, I could understand what had happened and protect the company.””
“But you didn't find the file.””
“No.””
“Did you ask the legal director about it?””
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
“He said he collected the business documents and nothing else.””
“Did you believe him?””
Dad stared at the table.
“I wanted to.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, trucks were moving through the distribution yard. Workers in reflective vests guided trailers into loading bays. Somewhere below us, an employee was probably checking and nothing else.””
“Did you believe him?””
Dad stared at the table.
“I wanted to.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, trucks were moving through the distribution yard. Workers in reflective vests guided trailers into loading bays. Somewhere below us, an employee was probably checking a delivery schedule, unaware that the company responsible for his paycheck was fighting to protect itself from a scandal that had begun before he was hired.
My father had built this business from nothing.
He had also allowed his fear of losing it to shape decisions that hurt the people a delivery schedule, unaware that the company responsible for his paycheck was fighting to protect itself from a scandal that had begun before he was hired.
My father had built this business from nothing.
He had also allowed his fear of losing it to shape decisions that hurt the people he loved.
I turned back.
“Who was the legal director?””
“Thomas Reed.””
“Where is he now?””
“He retired six years ago.””
“Can we find him?””
Rebecca was already typing.
“We can locate him and request an interview. We should also ask him to preserve any records he still has.””
Dad nodded.
“I'll cooperate with whatever you need.””
I looked he loved.
I turned back.
“Who was the legal director?””
“Thomas Reed.””
“Where is he now?””
“He retired six years ago.””
“Can we find him?””
Rebecca was already typing.
“We can locate him and request an interview. We should also ask him to preserve any records he still has.””
Dad nodded.
“I'll cooperate with whatever you need.””
I looked at him carefully.
“Even if the truth damages the company?””
His eyes filled.
“Especially then.””
For the first time, I believed him.
Not because he had suddenly become innocent.
Because he had finally stopped asking me to protect him from the consequences of his choices.
Thomas Reed agreed to meet us the following afternoon.
He lived in a modest house outside Hartford, at him carefully.
“Even if the truth damages the company?””
His eyes filled.
“Especially then.””
For the first time, I believed him.
Not because he had suddenly become innocent.
Because he had finally stopped asking me to protect him from the consequences of his choices.
Thomas Reed agreed to meet us the following afternoon.
He lived in a modest house outside Hartford, Connecticut, in a neighborhood lined with maple trees and white picket fences. At sixty-five, he had the broad shoulders of a man who had spent decades playing golf and the cautious expression of someone who had once been paid to anticipate legal trouble.
He greeted us on the porch.
“Harlan,” he said.
“ Connecticut, in a neighborhood lined with maple trees and white picket fences. At sixty-five, he had the broad shoulders of a man who had spent decades playing golf and the cautious expression of someone who had once been paid to anticipate legal trouble.
He greeted us on the porch.
“Harlan,” he said.
“I wondered when you'd come looking.””
Dad's expression hardened.
“You knew this day would come?””
“I knew there were questions I hadn't answered.””
Thomas looked at me.
“You must be Genevieve.””
“Yes.””
“Your mother was a good woman.””
“Then help me understand what happened to her file.””
He stepped aside.
“Come in.””
WeI wondered when you'd come looking.””
Dad's expression hardened.
“You knew this day would come?””
“I knew there were questions I hadn't answered.””
Thomas looked at me.
“You must be Genevieve.””
“Yes.””
“Your mother was a good woman.””
“Then help me understand what happened to her file.””
He stepped aside.
“Come in.””
We sat in his living room. Rebecca placed a small recorder on the coffee table and explained that the meeting was voluntary. Thomas agreed to proceed and confirmed that he understood he could stop at any time.
He looked uncomfortable from the beginning.
“I collected the Meridian records on March fourteenth, nine years ago,” he said.
“Harlan asked me to retrieve sat in his living room. Rebecca placed a small recorder on the coffee table and explained that the meeting was voluntary. Thomas agreed to proceed and confirmed that he understood he could stop at any time.
He looked uncomfortable from the beginning.
“I collected the Meridian records on March fourteenth, nine years ago,” he said.
“Harlan asked me to retrieve company documents relating to the disputed investment.””
“Did you go to the hospital?”” Rebecca asked.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Eleanor had called me earlier that morning. She said she had a document that might be relevant to the trust dispute.””
I leaned forward.
“My grandmother called you?””
“Yes. She asked me to collect a sealed envelope from your mother's room.””
Dad company documents relating to the disputed investment.””
“Did you go to the hospital?”” Rebecca asked.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Eleanor had called me earlier that morning. She said she had a document that might be relevant to the trust dispute.””
I leaned forward.
“My grandmother called you?””
“Yes. She asked me to collect a sealed envelope from your mother's room.””
Dad stared at him.
“You never told me that.””
“I didn't know whether you were aware of it.””
“What happened to the envelope?”” I asked.
Thomas looked down at his hands.
“I took it.””
“Where is it?””
He swallowed.
“I gave it to Richard Vale.””
The room went silent.
Dad rose from his chair.
“You gave a confidential trust document to Richard?””
Thomas flin stared at him.
“You never told me that.””
“I didn't know whether you were aware of it.””
“What happened to the envelope?”” I asked.
Thomas looked down at his hands.
“I took it.””
“Where is it?””
He swallowed.
“I gave it to Richard Vale.””
The room went silent.
Dad rose from his chair.
“You gave a confidential trust document to Richard?””
Thomas flinched.
“I was following instructions.””
“Whose instructions?””
“Your wife's.””
I stared at him.
“My mother told you to give it to Richard?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because she believed he had the original audit records and wanted to compare them. She thought he might be able to prove that the Ashworths had submitted an altered beneficiary deed.””
I sank backched.
“I was following instructions.””
“Whose instructions?””
“Your wife's.””
I stared at him.
“My mother told you to give it to Richard?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because she believed he had the original audit records and wanted to compare them. She thought he might be able to prove that the Ashworths had submitted an altered beneficiary deed.””
I sank back into the chair.
Richard had told the truth about visiting my mother.
But he had left out an important detail.
My mother had deliberately sent a document to him.
“What happened after that?”” Rebecca asked.
“Richard called me two days later. He said the envelope contained information that could create serious problems for both families. He asked into the chair.
Richard had told the truth about visiting my mother.
But he had left out an important detail.
My mother had deliberately sent a document to him.
“What happened after that?”” Rebecca asked.
“Richard called me two days later. He said the envelope contained information that could create serious problems for both families. He asked whether Harlan knew about it.””
Thomas glanced at Dad.
“I said I didn't know.””
“Did you tell him where the document came from?”” Dad asked.
“Yes.””
“And then?””
“He asked me to keep quiet about the exchange. He said your wife had wanted the matter handled privately.””
Dad's whether Harlan knew about it.””
Thomas glanced at Dad.
“I said I didn't know.””
“Did you tell him where the document came from?”” Dad asked.
“Yes.””
“And then?””
“He asked me to keep quiet about the exchange. He said your wife had wanted the matter handled privately.””
Dad's face tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought you already knew. And because Richard warned me that discussing the document could expose the company to legal claims.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone kept quiet because they were afraid of being blamed.””
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did Richard return the envelope?””
“No.””
“ face tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought you already knew. And because Richard warned me that discussing the document could expose the company to legal claims.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone kept quiet because they were afraid of being blamed.””
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did Richard return the envelope?””
“No.””
“Did you ever see the contents?””
“Only the first page.””
“What did it say?””
Thomas hesitated.
“It identified a discrepancy between the trust's original beneficiary deed and the version submitted by the Ashworths. It also referenced a separate document signed by your grandmother.””
“Which document?””
“I don't remember the exact title.””
Rebecca asked whetherDid you ever see the contents?””
“Only the first page.””
“What did it say?””
Thomas hesitated.
“It identified a discrepancy between the trust's original beneficiary deed and the version submitted by the Ashworths. It also referenced a separate document signed by your grandmother.””
“Which document?””
“I don't remember the exact title.””
Rebecca asked whether he had retained any correspondence with Richard.
Thomas nodded.
“I kept the email because I was concerned about the instructions. I can provide it to your attorney.””
He disappeared into a study and returned with an old laptop.
After several minutes, he found the message.
Rebecca reviewed it.
The email was dated he had retained any correspondence with Richard.
Thomas nodded.
“I kept the email because I was concerned about the instructions. I can provide it to your attorney.””
He disappeared into a study and returned with an old laptop.
After several minutes, he found the message.
Rebecca reviewed it.
The email was dated two days after my mother's death.
Richard had written:
The envelope confirms that Eleanor knew the original deed had been altered. I will retain it until we can determine how best to proceed. Please do not discuss this with Harlan until I have spoken with the trustee.
Below the message was Thomas's reply.
Understood.
I read it twice.
“Did two days after my mother's death.
Richard had written:
The envelope confirms that Eleanor knew the original deed had been altered. I will retain it until we can determine how best to proceed. Please do not discuss this with Harlan until I have spoken with the trustee.
Below the message was Thomas's reply.
Understood.
I read it twice.
“Did you ever ask Richard for the envelope back?”” I asked.
“Yes. Several times.””
“What did he say?””
“That it was evidence, and that releasing it prematurely could undermine the investigation.””
“Was there an investigation?””
“Not a formal one that I knew of.””
I looked you ever ask Richard for the envelope back?”” I asked.
“Yes. Several times.””
“What did he say?””
“That it was evidence, and that releasing it prematurely could undermine the investigation.””
“Was there an investigation?””
“Not a formal one that I knew of.””
I looked at Rebecca.
She saved a copy of the email.
“Thank you, Mr. Reed. We'll need the original message file and any related correspondence. We may also need a formal statement.””
Thomas nodded.
“I'll cooperate.””
As we prepared to leave, he stopped me at the door.
“Gene at Rebecca.
She saved a copy of the email.
“Thank you, Mr. Reed. We'll need the original message file and any related correspondence. We may also need a formal statement.””
Thomas nodded.
“I'll cooperate.””
As we prepared to leave, he stopped me at the door.
“Genevieve, there is something else.””
I turned.
“Your mother asked me to tell you something if you ever came looking for the file.””
My heart began to pound.
“What?””
He looked toward Dad, then back at me.
“She said the trust was only the beginning. Shevieve, there is something else.””
I turned.
“Your mother asked me to tell you something if you ever came looking for the file.””
My heart began to pound.
“What?””
He looked toward Dad, then back at me.
“She said the trust was only the beginning. She believed someone was using the dispute to hide a much larger financial problem.””
“What problem?””
“I don't know. She said she had found payments that didn't belong in the company accounts.””
Dad went still.
“Payments from where?””
Thomas shook his head.
“She didn't tell me.””
I stared at him.
“Did she mention the Ashworths?””
“Yes.””
“Did she believed someone was using the dispute to hide a much larger financial problem.””
“What problem?””
“I don't know. She said she had found payments that didn't belong in the company accounts.””
Dad went still.
“Payments from where?””
Thomas shook his head.
“She didn't tell me.””
I stared at him.
“Did she mention the Ashworths?””
“Yes.””
“Did she mention Northstar?””
“No. The company didn't exist then.””
He paused.
“But she mentioned an account at a bank in New York. She said it was connected to the Meridian acquisition.””
Dad's face had gone pale.
I turned toward him.
“What account?””
He shook his head slowly.
“I don't know.””
But his expression told me that mention Northstar?””
“No. The company didn't exist then.””
He paused.
“But she mentioned an account at a bank in New York. She said it was connected to the Meridian acquisition.””
Dad's face had gone pale.
I turned toward him.
“What account?””
He shook his head slowly.
“I don't know.””
But his expression told me that he recognized the name of the bank.
I didn't press him on the porch.
Not yet.
We drove back to the office in silence.
When we arrived, Rebecca immediately began searching the old corporate records. Martin joined her, comparing historical transactions with the documents we'd obtained from Margaret.
he recognized the name of the bank.
I didn't press him on the porch.
Not yet.
We drove back to the office in silence.
When we arrived, Rebecca immediately began searching the old corporate records. Martin joined her, comparing historical transactions with the documents we'd obtained from Margaret.
Within an hour, he found something.
Nine years earlier, a substantial payment had been made from an account associated with the Meridian acquisition to a private investment company controlled by an Ashworth affiliate.
The payment was recorded as a consulting expense.
But there was no invoice.
No signed contract.
No supporting documentation.
And the recipient's corporateWithin an hour, he found something.
Nine years earlier, a substantial payment had been made from an account associated with the Meridian acquisition to a private investment company controlled by an Ashworth affiliate.
The payment was recorded as a consulting expense.
But there was no invoice.
No signed contract.
No supporting documentation.
And the recipient's corporate registration had been dissolved shortly afterward.
“Could this be the payment your mother discovered?”” I asked.
Martin studied the figures.
“It's possible. But we need the underlying bank records and the original accounting entries before we can determine what it represented.””
“How much?””
He hesitated.
“Six million dollars.””
Dad closed his eyes.
I looked registration had been dissolved shortly afterward.
“Could this be the payment your mother discovered?”” I asked.
Martin studied the figures.
“It's possible. But we need the underlying bank records and the original accounting entries before we can determine what it represented.””
“How much?””
He hesitated.
“Six million dollars.””
Dad closed his eyes.
I looked at him.
“Did you know about this payment?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
For the first time, I believed that answer without reservation.
He looked devastated, not defensive.
Rebecca enlarged the transaction record.
“The payment was authorized by the former at him.
“Did you know about this payment?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
For the first time, I believed that answer without reservation.
He looked devastated, not defensive.
Rebecca enlarged the transaction record.
“The payment was authorized by the former Ashworth finance office. Richard Vale was still advising the company at the time.””
“And Thomas Reed collected the file,” I said.
“Yes.””
“But neither man knows where the original document is now.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Not yet.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Lavinia.
*Sebastian is trying Ashworth finance office. Richard Vale was still advising the company at the time.””
“And Thomas Reed collected the file,” I said.
“Yes.””
“But neither man knows where the original document is now.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Not yet.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Lavinia.
Sebastian is trying to leave the country.
I called her immediately.
“How do you know?””
“He told me he was going to London to meet an investor. He said he'd be gone for a few days.””
“When?””
“Tomorrow morning.””
I looked at Rebecca.
She immediately began making calls.
If Sebastian left, it to leave the country.*
I called her immediately.
“How do you know?””
“He told me he was going to London to meet an investor. He said he'd be gone for a few days.””
“When?””
“Tomorrow morning.””
I looked at Rebecca.
She immediately began making calls.
If Sebastian left, it wouldn't automatically mean he was guilty of anything. But given the false corporate filings and disputed financial requests, his sudden travel plans were worth bringing to the attention of counsel and, if appropriate, the relevant authorities.
“Lavinia,” I said, “do you have any documents wouldn't automatically mean he was guilty of anything. But given the false corporate filings and disputed financial requests, his sudden travel plans were worth bringing to the attention of counsel and, if appropriate, the relevant authorities.
“Lavinia,” I said, “do you have any documents proving the Northstar payments?””
“I have copies of some bank statements.””
“Where?””
“In a storage box at my apartment.””
“Don't retrieve them if you think you're being watched. Tell Rebecca where they are, and let her arrange a safe, lawful collection.””
“Okay.””
There proving the Northstar payments?””
“I have copies of some bank statements.””
“Where?””
“In a storage box at my apartment.””
“Don't retrieve them if you think you're being watched. Tell Rebecca where they are, and let her arrange a safe, lawful collection.””
“Okay.””
There was a pause.
Then Lavinia whispered, “Genevieve, I need to tell you something about the baby.””
I closed my eyes.
“What is it?””
“Sebastian has been telling everyone that we're getting married. He said it would protect his inheritance was a pause.
Then Lavinia whispered, “Genevieve, I need to tell you something about the baby.””
I closed my eyes.
“What is it?””
“Sebastian has been telling everyone that we're getting married. He said it would protect his inheritance.””
I stared at the wall.
“What inheritance?””
“His father's estate.””
“Sebastian's father is alive.””
“Yes. But the Ashworth family has a succession agreement. Sebastian told me that if he married before the end of the month and produced an.””
I stared at the wall.
“What inheritance?””
“His father's estate.””
“Sebastian's father is alive.””
“Yes. But the Ashworth family has a succession agreement. Sebastian told me that if he married before the end of the month and produced an heir, he would receive control of certain family assets.””
The room seemed to go silent around me.
“When did he tell you this?””
“Two weeks ago.””
“Does Philippa know?””
“She arranged it.””
I looked at Dad.
He had heard every word.
The wedding hadn't been a failed romance heir, he would receive control of certain family assets.””
The room seemed to go silent around me.
“When did he tell you this?””
“Two weeks ago.””
“Does Philippa know?””
“She arranged it.””
I looked at Dad.
He had heard every word.
The wedding hadn't been a failed romance.
It had been a financial deadline.
Sebastian needed the Winslow merger to secure one part of his future. He needed Lavinia's baby to secure another. And he had been willing to destroy both women if either threatened his plans.
“Lavinia,” I said, “you need independent legal advice. Don't marry him, don't sign anything, and don't.
It had been a financial deadline.
Sebastian needed the Winslow merger to secure one part of his future. He needed Lavinia's baby to secure another. And he had been willing to destroy both women if either threatened his plans.
“Lavinia,” I said, “you need independent legal advice. Don't marry him, don't sign anything, and don't let him pressure you into making decisions about the baby before you understand your rights.””
“I won't.””
“Can you tell Rebecca everything you know?””
“Yes.””
I ended the call.
Martin turned his laptop toward us.
“I've found another record.””
A payment had been made from the same Ashworth affiliate to an account linked to Northstar Meridian.
The transfer let him pressure you into making decisions about the baby before you understand your rights.””
“I won't.””
“Can you tell Rebecca everything you know?””
“Yes.””
I ended the call.
Martin turned his laptop toward us.
“I've found another record.””
A payment had been made from the same Ashworth affiliate to an account linked to Northstar Meridian.
The transfer was recent.
The amount was eight hundred thousand dollars.
The description read: Legacy restructuring—final installment.
I stared at the screen.
“Legacy restructuring.””
Rebecca leaned closer was recent.
The amount was eight hundred thousand dollars.
The description read: Legacy restructuring—final installment.
I stared at the screen.
“Legacy restructuring.””
Rebecca leaned closer.
“That's a phrase we need to investigate.””
Dad's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and slowly sat down.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He ended the call.
“The bank has confirmed that the emergency request to restrict our accounts originated from a document submitted through an account associated with Northstar Meridian.””
“Can they reverse it?””
“They've lifted the temporary.
“That's a phrase we need to investigate.””
Dad's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and slowly sat down.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He ended the call.
“The bank has confirmed that the emergency request to restrict our accounts originated from a document submitted through an account associated with Northstar Meridian.””
“Can they reverse it?””
“They've lifted the temporary restrictions after verifying that our authorization was disputed. But they've referred the suspicious submission to their fraud team.””
I exhaled.
One threat had been contained.
But the evidence was multiplying.
The false trust records.
The unexplained six-million-dollar payment.
The Northstar transfers.
The attempted account restrictions.
And now Sebastian's plan to leave restrictions after verifying that our authorization was disputed. But they've referred the suspicious submission to their fraud team.””
I exhaled.
One threat had been contained.
But the evidence was multiplying.
The false trust records.
The unexplained six-million-dollar payment.
The Northstar transfers.
The attempted account restrictions.
And now Sebastian's plan to leave the country.
Rebecca began gathering the documents.
“We need to coordinate with the appropriate authorities. There may be several overlapping matters, and we must avoid compromising any investigation.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, it was an unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke softly.
“Genevieve Winslow?””
“Yes the country.
Rebecca began gathering the documents.
“We need to coordinate with the appropriate authorities. There may be several overlapping matters, and we must avoid compromising any investigation.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, it was an unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke softly.
“Genevieve Winslow?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Caroline Ashworth. I'm Sebastian's sister.””
I'd met Caroline twice at family dinners. She was thirty-one, a corporate attorney who had always seemed uncomfortable whenever her mother discussed the merger.
.””
“My name is Caroline Ashworth. I'm Sebastian's sister.””
I'd met Caroline twice at family dinners. She was thirty-one, a corporate attorney who had always seemed uncomfortable whenever her mother discussed the merger.
“I know this is an awful time to call,” she said.
“But I found something in my father's study.””
“What?””
“A letter from my grandmother to Richard Vale. It mentions the trust, the six-million-dollar payment, and your mother's death.””
My heart stopped.
“Where is it?””
“Safe.””
“Can you bring it to our attorney?””
“I can. But there's“I know this is an awful time to call,” she said.
“But I found something in my father's study.””
“What?””
“A letter from my grandmother to Richard Vale. It mentions the trust, the six-million-dollar payment, and your mother's death.””
My heart stopped.
“Where is it?””
“Safe.””
“Can you bring it to our attorney?””
“I can. But there's something you need to know first.””
Her voice dropped.
“My mother knows I've found it. She just sent security to my apartment.””
I stood.
“Caroline, where are something you need to know first.””
Her voice dropped.
“My mother knows I've found it. She just sent security to my apartment.””
I stood.
“Caroline, where are you now?””
“In my car, outside the Ashworth estate.””
“Don't go back inside. Contact Rebecca. She'll help you.””
“I will.””
A pause.
Then Caroline whispered, “Genevieve, the letter says Sebastian wasn't the person who came up with Northstar.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who was?””
“My mother.””
The call ended.
I looked you now?””
“In my car, outside the Ashworth estate.””
“Don't go back inside. Contact Rebecca. She'll help you.””
“I will.””
A pause.
Then Caroline whispered, “Genevieve, the letter says Sebastian wasn't the person who came up with Northstar.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who was?””
“My mother.””
The call ended.
I looked at my father.
For the first time, the entire scheme seemed to shift into focus.
Sebastian had been the face of the betrayal.
Richard had been the keeper of the old secrets.
But Philippa Ashworth might have been the person connecting every piece.
And if Caroline had found the original letter, we might finally learn why.
at my father.
For the first time, the entire scheme seemed to shift into focus.
Sebastian had been the face of the betrayal.
Richard had been the keeper of the old secrets.
May you like
But Philippa Ashworth might have been the person connecting every piece.
And if Caroline had found the original letter, we might finally learn why.
