Chapter 11: The Office Behind the Locked Door
We moved Lily and Evelyn to a protected location before midnight.
Seeing mother and daughter reunite was something I would never forget.
Evelyn dropped to her knees the moment Lily entered the room.
"My baby.""
Lily ran into her arms.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
They simply held each other.
I stood by the doorway, watching them.
Evelyn eventually looked up.
Her eyes found mine.
"Your father promised me this day would come.""
I swallowed.
"I wish he'd lived to see it.""
She nodded.
Then she held out her hand.
"Thank you for bringing her back.""
I sat beside them.
"There's something I need to ask you.""
Evelyn wiped Lily's tears.
"Anything.""
"Did Daniel kill Arthur?""
Her expression changed.
She looked toward the little girl in her arms.
Then she nodded.
"I believe he did.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because Daniel controlled the evidence. He had people inside the company, people who worked with the lawyers, even people who knew officers investigating the case.""
I stared at her.
"How could he control so many people?""
"Money. Threats. Favors.
Daniel understood that people rarely need to be forced into doing something wrong. Sometimes they only need to be paid enough.""
I looked at Lily.
"Did you witness Arthur's death?""
Evelyn nodded.
"She saw the aftermath. She was too young to understand everything, but she remembered Daniel standing over Arthur.""
Lily lowered her head.
Evelyn continued.
"Your father wanted to testify. He had the recording and financial records. But before he could go to the authorities, he died.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"His heart attack?""
Evelyn looked away.
"I never believed it was natural.""
The room went silent.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"Your father gave me this two days before he died.""
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Daniel's private office.
A large wooden desk stood beneath a window.
Behind it was a painting of a sailing ship.
I recognized the room.
I'd seen it hundreds of times.
Daniel's office.
Evelyn pointed to the painting.
"Your father told me the original ledger was hidden behind this.""
I stared at her.
"How did he know?""
"Because he helped Daniel renovate the office years ago.""
I looked at Mr. Lawson.
"We need to get inside.""
He nodded.
"With a proper warrant, we can.""
"How long?""
"Possibly several days.""
I shook my head.
"We don't have several days.""
He looked at me.
"What are you suggesting?""
"Daniel thinks I still want to save our marriage. He believes I might be willing to meet him.""
Mr. Lawson immediately understood.
"No.""
"I can get inside his office.""
"Absolutely not.""
"He's expecting me to come back.""
"That is precisely why you shouldn't.""
I looked at Evelyn.
"Your daughter deserves the truth.""
Evelyn held Lily tighter.
"Please don't put yourself in danger.""
I took a breath.
"I'm already in danger.""
The following afternoon, I sent Daniel a message.
*Nia: I want to talk. Alone. No lawyers.*
He responded within seconds.
*Daniel: Finally. Come to the house at seven.*
I stared at the message.
The house where I'd once believed I would grow old.
The house where I'd decorated our first Christmas tree.
The house where Daniel had kissed me at midnight on our wedding anniversary.
Now it was simply another crime scene waiting to be uncovered.
Mr. Lawson arranged for investigators to monitor the property from a safe distance.
I wore a small recording device beneath my jacket.
At 6:58 p.m., I walked through the front door.
Daniel was waiting in the living room.
He wore a white shirt and dark trousers.
Two glasses of wine sat on the coffee table.
He looked almost exactly as he had on our wedding day.
For a moment, I remembered the man I'd fallen in love with.
Then he spoke.
"You look tired.""
I placed my handbag on the sofa.
"You look comfortable.""
He smiled faintly.
"Would you like some wine?""
"No.""
He poured himself a glass.
"Still angry?""
I looked around.
"Where is your office key?""
His hand stopped.
"Why?""
"Because I want to understand what you've been hiding.""
He laughed.
"You're still obsessed with those documents.""
"Am I wrong?""
Daniel walked toward me.
"Nia, we had a good marriage.""
I stared at him.
"Did we?""
"Yes.""
"You lied to me.""
"I protected you.""
"You stole from me.""
"I made investments.""
"You used my name.""
He sighed.
"You're repeating things other people have told you.""
I stepped closer.
"Did you kill Arthur?""
The glass slipped slightly in his hand.
For the first time, his expression changed.
"Who told you that?""
I didn't answer.
He placed the glass on the table.
"Your father was a difficult man.""
"That isn't an answer.""
"He interfered in things he didn't understand.""
I felt my hands shaking.
"He was trying to protect Lily.""
Daniel laughed.
"That child is the reason everything fell apart.""
I stared at him.
"She's thirteen.""
"And worth millions.""
The words came out before he could stop himself.
Silence.
I looked directly at him.
"Thank you.""
His eyes narrowed.
"For what?""
"For finally telling the truth.""
His expression hardened.
He reached for my handbag.
I stepped back.
"Don't.""
"Nia, give me the recording device.""
My heart dropped.
He knew.
He reached toward my jacket.
I pushed his hand away.
"Stay back.""
His voice became sharp.
"Do you think those recordings will save you?""
I backed toward the hallway.
"Where is the ledger, Daniel?""
He laughed.
"You really want to know?""
"Yes.""
He walked toward his office.
I followed him.
He unlocked the door and pushed it open.
The painting of the sailing ship hung behind his desk.
I glanced at it.
Daniel noticed.
"Looking for something?""
I forced myself to look away.
"No.""
He opened a drawer.
Inside were several documents.
He picked up one and handed it to me.
It was a separation agreement.
My name was printed at the bottom.
Again.
"Sign it," he said.
I looked at the document.
It stated that I voluntarily relinquished all claims against Carter Holdings and acknowledged that Daniel had acted with my consent.
I laughed.
He frowned.
"What's funny?""
"You really think I'm going to sign this?""
"I think you want your life back.""
"My life?""
I looked around the office.
"You took my home. You took my inheritance. You used my father's death to protect yourself. You even stole money from a child.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Be careful.""
"Why? Are you going to threaten me again?""
He stepped closer.
"You're making a terrible mistake.""
I glanced at the sailing ship.
The frame was slightly crooked.
Exactly as Evelyn had described.
I needed only a few more seconds.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Mr. Lawson.
*The investigators are in position. We have confirmation of the original ledger. Get out now.*
I looked at Daniel.
He had seen the screen.
His face went completely blank.
"Who are you texting?""
I slipped the phone into my pocket.
"Nobody.""
He grabbed my wrist.
"Give me your phone.""
I pulled away.
"Let go!""
He shoved me against the desk.
A drawer slammed open.
Several documents scattered across the floor.
And beneath them, I saw something that made my blood freeze.
A photograph of my father.
With a handwritten note.
*THE NIGHT WE FINISHED IT.*
I stared at the photograph.
Daniel followed my gaze.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"That was never supposed to be found.""
