Chapter 6: The Partner From the Past
Daniel held the phone tighter.
The voice on the other end sounded older than he remembered.
But not unfamiliar.
“Who is this?”” Daniel asked again.
A long silence followed.
Then:
“It’s Andre.””
The name hit harder than any threat Preston had made.
Daniel slowly sat down.
Andre Laurent.
His former business partner.
The man who had disappeared six years earlier with half their savings, leaving Daniel to rebuild everything alone.
“You’re alive,” Daniel whispered.
A bitter laugh came through the phone.
“That’s one way to say it.””
Daniel looked at Claire.
She noticed the change in his expression.
“What happened?””
Daniel covered the microphone.
“My old partner.””
Claire’s eyes narrowed.
“The one connected to the contract?””
Daniel nodded.
He returned to the call.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere Preston can’t reach me.””
Daniel almost laughed.
“Nobody is somewhere Preston can’t reach.””
“That’s what I thought too.””
Andre’s voice dropped.
“Daniel, you need to listen carefully. Preston didn’t randomly choose you at that party.””
Daniel looked at the forged contract on his desk.
“Then why?””
“Because you were the one person who could expose him.””
The office suddenly felt smaller.
“How?””
Andre sighed.
“Because you still have something I lost.””
“What?””
“The original records.””
Daniel frowned.
“What records?””
“The ones from Baptiste and Laurent Catering.””
Daniel stood.
“You mean the old company?””
“Yes.””
“That company ended.””
“No, Daniel. You ended your part. Preston bought the remaining pieces.””
Daniel felt a cold feeling move through him.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“It will.””
Andre explained that years ago, before Daniel became a respected private chef, their catering company had handled events for wealthy clients throughout New Orleans.
One of those clients was Preston Whitmore.
At first, Preston seemed generous.
He offered connections.
Introductions.
Opportunities.
Then he started asking questions.
Who owned what.
Who trusted whom.
Where money moved.
Andre admitted he had been tempted.
“He offered me a partnership,” Andre said.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“And you took it.””
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt more than a lie.
“Why call me now?””
“Because I made a mistake.””
Daniel looked away.
“That’s a convenient time to admit it.””
“I know.””
Andre’s voice cracked.
“But I watched him destroy people for years. I told myself I could control him. I couldn’t.””
Claire stepped closer.
“Ask him about the signature.””
Daniel did.
Andre went silent.
Then:
“That signature wasn’t forged by Preston.””
Daniel froze.
“Then who?””
Andre answered:
“Me.””
The room went still.
Daniel felt anger rise.
“You signed my name?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“You ruined my company.””
“I know.””
“You disappeared.””
“I know.””
“You let me think you betrayed me.””
Andre swallowed.
“I did betray you.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
The silence between them was heavy.
Then Andre said:
“But Preston betrayed everyone.””
Later that night, Daniel met Andre beneath an old bridge near the river.
The air smelled like rain.
Andre looked different.
Thinner.
Older.
Broken.
Daniel stopped several feet away.
“I should hate you.””
Andre nodded.
“You probably should.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because Preston threatened my family.””
Daniel stared.
“Your family?””
“My daughter.””
Andre looked down.
“He knew where she went to school. He knew where she lived.””
Claire stepped forward.
“And you stayed quiet?””
Andre looked at her.
“I thought silence would keep her safe.””
Claire’s expression softened.
“But it didn’t.””
Andre shook his head.
“No.””
He handed Daniel a flash drive.
“This is everything.””
Daniel took it.
“What is it?””
“Proof.””
“Proof of what?””
Andre looked directly at him.
“Preston has been using businesses as fronts for years.””
Daniel looked at the small device.
“Why me?””
Andre answered:
“Because your company was the first one he used.””
A car engine suddenly roared nearby.
Andre’s face changed.
“We have to go.””
Daniel turned.
“What?””
May you like
Andre looked toward the street.
“He found us.””
