Chapter 12: The Betrayal Inside the Trust
I stood slowly.
"What are you deleting?""
Jonathan put his phone away.
"Nothing important.""
"Then show me.""
He looked at Rebecca.
"Please take her outside.""
Rebecca didn't move.
"Why?""
Jonathan sighed.
"Because there are things you both need at Rebecca.
"Please take her outside.""
Rebecca didn't move.
"Why?""
Jonathan sighed.
"Because there are things you both need to understand.""
I stepped closer.
"You have one chance to tell me the truth.""
For the first time since my father's death, Jonathan looked to understand.""
I stepped closer.
"You have one chance to tell me the truth.""
For the first time since my father's death, Jonathan looked genuinely frightened.
He placed his phone on the desk.
The screen showed a message thread.
The most recent message had been sent three minutes earlier.
*Subject located. Transfer her immediately.*
The recipient genuinely frightened.
He placed his phone on the desk.
The screen showed a message thread.
The most recent message had been sent three minutes earlier.
*Subject located. Transfer her immediately.*
The recipient was saved under a single letter.
M.
I stared.
"Martin?""
Jonathan nodded.
My stomach dropped.
"Why are you communicating with Martin?""
"I've been monitoring him.""
"By was saved under a single letter.
M.
I stared.
"Martin?""
Jonathan nodded.
My stomach dropped.
"Why are you communicating with Martin?""
"I've been monitoring him.""
"By telling him where my mother is?""
"No.""
"Then explain that message.""
He sat down.
"Your mother has been telling him where my mother is?""
"No.""
"Then explain that message.""
He sat down.
"Your mother has been moved to a different location. The person coordinating her protection believes Martin has discovered the original safe house moved to a different location. The person coordinating her protection believes Martin has discovered the original safe house.""
I looked at the phone.
"Why does the message say to transfer her?""
"Because we're moving her before he can reach her.""
"Who is M?""
Jonathan hesitated.
Then he turned the.""
I looked at the phone.
"Why does the message say to transfer her?""
"Because we're moving her before he can reach her.""
"Who is M?""
Jonathan hesitated.
Then he turned the phone toward me.
The contact information displayed a number.
Not Martin's.
A private security company.
I looked up.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
phone toward me.
The contact information displayed a number.
Not Martin's.
A private security company.
I looked up.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know whether you were being monitored.""
I shook my head.
"I am finished with people deciding what I can and cannot know.""
"Because I didn't know whether you were being monitored.""
I shook my head.
"I am finished with people deciding what I can and cannot know.""
Jonathan nodded.
"You're right.""
He opened his briefcase and removed another document.
"This is the final page of your father's trust.""
IJonathan nodded.
"You're right.""
He opened his briefcase and removed another document.
"This is the final page of your father's trust.""
I took it.
The document contained a handwritten statement.
**If the family is divided by deception, the person responsible for protecting the trust must took it.
The document contained a handwritten statement.
*If the family is divided by deception, the person responsible for protecting the trust must be willing to surrender their own authority.*
Below it was a second paragraph.
*The appointed proxy may be removed by a majority vote of the independent trustees if evidence of compromised loyalty is established.*
I be willing to surrender their own authority.**
Below it was a second paragraph.
*The appointed proxy may be removed by a majority vote of the independent trustees if evidence of compromised loyalty is established.*
I frowned.
"Does that mean you can be removed?""
"Yes.""
"Then why are you still the proxy?""
Jonathan looked directly at me.
"Because your father appointed two frowned.
"Does that mean you can be removed?""
"Yes.""
"Then why are you still the proxy?""
Jonathan looked directly at me.
"Because your father appointed two independent trustees, not one.""
He pointed to the second signature.
It belonged to Rebecca.
She stared at the page.
"Me?""
Jonathan nodded.
"Your father appointed you as the secondary independent trustees, not one.""
He pointed to the second signature.
It belonged to Rebecca.
She stared at the page.
"Me?""
Jonathan nodded.
"Your father appointed you as the secondary independent trustee.""
Rebecca looked stunned.
"I didn't know.""
"He wanted you to have authority without revealing your identity.""
I read the document again independent trustee.""
Rebecca looked stunned.
"I didn't know.""
"He wanted you to have authority without revealing your identity.""
I read the document again.
It was dated three weeks before my father's death.
The same period when the mysterious transfers had accelerated.
I turned to Jonathan.
"Why didn't.
It was dated three weeks before my father's death.
The same period when the mysterious transfers had accelerated.
I turned to Jonathan.
"Why didn't you tell us this earlier?""
"Because the appointment only becomes active if the primary proxy is compromised or you tell us this earlier?""
"Because the appointment only becomes active if the primary proxy is compromised or unavailable.""
"And you believe you're compromised?""
Jonathan looked down.
"I believe someone has been accessing my communications.""
A sudden knock sounded at the unavailable.""
"And you believe you're compromised?""
Jonathan looked down.
"I believe someone has been accessing my communications.""
A sudden knock sounded at the office door.
We all turned.
Jonathan checked the security monitor.
A man in a gray suit stood outside.
He was holding a large envelope.
"Who is that?"" I asked.
Jonathan office door.
We all turned.
Jonathan checked the security monitor.
A man in a gray suit stood outside.
He was holding a large envelope.
"Who is that?"" I asked.
Jonathan frowned.
"I don't recognize him.""
The man knocked again.
Then he raised the envelope toward the camera.
Written across the front were two words.
*FOR NIA.*
Jonathan opened the door only after security arrived frowned.
"I don't recognize him.""
The man knocked again.
Then he raised the envelope toward the camera.
Written across the front were two words.
*FOR NIA.*
Jonathan opened the door only after security arrived.
The man handed over the envelope.
He refused to give his name.
Within seconds, he was gone.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother.
The man handed over the envelope.
He refused to give his name.
Within seconds, he was gone.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother sitting in a garden.
She looked directly at the camera.
On the back was a handwritten message.
**Your mother is safe for now. But she won't sitting in a garden.
She looked directly at the camera.
On the back was a handwritten message.
*Your mother is safe for now. But she won't be if you continue.*
A second sheet contained a bank statement.
It showed a transfer of $750,000 from an be if you continue.**
A second sheet contained a bank statement.
It showed a transfer of $750,000 from an account belonging to Whitmore Industries.
The money had been sent to a private security company.
The recipient account was controlled by Jonathan account belonging to Whitmore Industries.
The money had been sent to a private security company.
The recipient account was controlled by Jonathan.
I turned toward him.
"Is this yours?""
He examined the statement.
His face went pale.
"No.""
"Your account?""
"That is not my account.""
"Your name is on it.""
"Someone has used my identity.""
Rebecca stepped closer.
"Could Martin have done that?""
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
.
I turned toward him.
"Is this yours?""
He examined the statement.
His face went pale.
"No.""
"Your account?""
"That is not my account.""
"Your name is on it.""
"Someone has used my identity.""
Rebecca stepped closer.
"Could Martin have done that?""
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
He took the statement and examined the reference number.
"This account wasHe took the statement and examined the reference number.
"This account was opened using documents stolen from my office.""
I stared at him.
"Then someone has been inside your office.""
"More than once.""
He opened his briefcase and removed a small key.
"There's something I should have told you earlier.""
opened using documents stolen from my office.""
I stared at him.
"Then someone has been inside your office.""
"More than once.""
He opened his briefcase and removed a small key.
"There's something I should have told you earlier.""
He placed it in my palm.
"What is this?""
"The key to the second archive.""
I frowned.
"What second archive?""
"Your father maintained a private records room beneath the old manufacturing plant. It contains original documents that were never transferred to the corporate headquarters.""
"Why didn't you tell us?""
"Because the archiveHe placed it in my palm.
"What is this?""
"The key to the second archive.""
I frowned.
"What second archive?""
"Your father maintained a private records room beneath the old manufacturing plant. It contains original documents that were never transferred to the corporate headquarters.""
"Why didn't you tell us?""
"Because the archive was supposed to remain sealed until the trust was challenged.""
Rebecca looked at the key.
"Does it contain evidence against Martin?""
"Yes.""
"What was supposed to remain sealed until the trust was challenged.""
Rebecca looked at the key.
"Does it contain evidence against Martin?""
"Yes.""
"What kind?""
Jonathan took a breath.
"Original payment instructions. kind?""
Jonathan took a breath.
"Original payment instructions. Medical correspondence. And a complete record of the people who received money from the company.""
I closed my fingers around the key.
"Then we go there.""
Jonathan shook his head.
"Not tonight. We need to secure the building first Medical correspondence. And a complete record of the people who received money from the company.""
I closed my fingers around the key.
"Then we go there.""
Jonathan shook his head.
"Not tonight. We need to secure the building first.""
I looked at him.
"Every time we wait, someone gets another chance to destroy evidence.""
He didn't argue.
We left shortly after midnight.
The.""
I looked at him.
"Every time we wait, someone gets another chance to destroy evidence.""
He didn't argue.
We left shortly after midnight.
The old manufacturing plant stood on the outskirts of Stamford, surrounded by an aging chain-link fence.
The company had stopped operating there years earlier.
But the security cameras were still functioning.
A guard opened the gate.
"Mr old manufacturing plant stood on the outskirts of Stamford, surrounded by an aging chain-link fence.
The company had stopped operating there years earlier.
But the security cameras were still functioning.
A guard opened the gate.
"Mr. Reed. We weren't expecting you.""
Jonathan frowned.
"Who authorized the night shift?""
The guard checked his clipboard.
"Mr. Reed. We weren't expecting you.""
Jonathan frowned.
"Who authorized the night shift?""
The guard checked his clipboard.
"Mr. Cole.""
My stomach tightened.
"Martin?""
The guard nodded.
"He came earlier this evening.""
Jonathan exchanged a look with me.
"Did he enter the building?""
"Yes, sir. About an hour ago.""
I tightened my grip on the. Cole.""
My stomach tightened.
"Martin?""
The guard nodded.
"He came earlier this evening.""
Jonathan exchanged a look with me.
"Did he enter the building?""
"Yes, sir. About an hour ago.""
I tightened my grip on the key.
"Is he still inside?""
The guard shook his head.
"He left twenty minutes ago.""
We entered through the side door.
The building smelled of dust, metal, and old machinery.
Jonathan led us down a narrow staircase to the key.
"Is he still inside?""
The guard shook his head.
"He left twenty minutes ago.""
We entered through the side door.
The building smelled of dust, metal, and old machinery.
Jonathan led us down a narrow staircase to the basement.
At the end of the corridor was a steel door.
He inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
Inside was a small archive room lined with filing cabinets.
Rebecca switched on the lights.
A large desk stood in the center.
On it was a single basement.
At the end of the corridor was a steel door.
He inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
Inside was a small archive room lined with filing cabinets.
Rebecca switched on the lights.
A large desk stood in the center.
On it was a single folder.
My father's name was written across the front.
I opened it.
The first page listed every suspicious transfer.
The second identified the shell companies.
The third folder.
My father's name was written across the front.
I opened it.
The first page listed every suspicious transfer.
The second identified the shell companies.
The third contained copies of private communications between Martin and Patricia.
I turned another page.
Then another.
And finally, I found something that made my breath catch.
A handwritten statement from my father.
**I have reason to believe the Whitmore family contained copies of private communications between Martin and Patricia.
I turned another page.
Then another.
And finally, I found something that made my breath catch.
A handwritten statement from my father.
*I have reason to believe the Whitmore family is attempting to transfer ownership of the company through a fraudulent succession agreement. The agreement is being prepared with the assistance of a lawyer currently is attempting to transfer ownership of the company through a fraudulent succession agreement. The agreement is being prepared with the assistance of a lawyer currently representing both Patricia Whitmore and Martin Cole.*
I looked at Jonathan.
"Who is the lawyer?""
He leaned over the document.
Then his expression changed.
The signature at the bottom belonged to someone he recognized.
representing both Patricia Whitmore and Martin Cole.**
I looked at Jonathan.
"Who is the lawyer?""
He leaned over the document.
Then his expression changed.
The signature at the bottom belonged to someone he recognized.
His own former partner.
"That can't be right," he whispered.
I turned the page.
There was a second document.
A payment authorization for $2 million.
The money had been transferred to theHis own former partner.
"That can't be right," he whispered.
I turned the page.
There was a second document.
A payment authorization for $2 million.
The money had been transferred to the lawyer's private account.
The date was eleven years earlier.
The morning my father died.
Rebecca pointed toward the bottom.
"Look at lawyer's private account.
The date was eleven years earlier.
The morning my father died.
Rebecca pointed toward the bottom.
"Look at the witness signature.""
I followed her finger.
It was Daniel's.
But beneath it was another name.
A name I had not expected to see.
*Evelyn Hayes.*
My mother.
I stared at the signature.
"Mom signed this?""
Jonathan shook his head.
"No.""
He the witness signature.""
I followed her finger.
It was Daniel's.
But beneath it was another name.
A name I had not expected to see.
*Evelyn Hayes.*
My mother.
I stared at the signature.
"Mom signed this?""
Jonathan shook his head.
"No.""
He pointed to a handwritten note beside it.
*Signature obtained under coercion.*
I felt my blood run cold.
pointed to a handwritten note beside it.
*Signature obtained under coercion.*
I felt my blood run cold.
Before I could ask another question, the lights went out.
A metallic crash echoed from the corridor.
Rebecca grabbed my arm.
"Someone's hereBefore I could ask another question, the lights went out.
A metallic crash echoed from the corridor.
Rebecca grabbed my arm.
"Someone's here.""
Jonathan pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight.
Then a man's voice came from outside the archive door.
"Good evening, everyone.""
I recognized it immediately.
Martin Cole.
"Jonathan," he called.
"You really should have left.""
Jonathan pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight.
Then a man's voice came from outside the archive door.
"Good evening, everyone.""
I recognized it immediately.
Martin Cole.
"Jonathan," he called.
"You really should have left that file alone.""
Jonathan stepped in front of us.
"Martin, this building is under company security.""
Martin laughed.
"Not anymore.""
A loud click sounded.
The steel door began that file alone.""
Jonathan stepped in front of us.
"Martin, this building is under company security.""
Martin laughed.
"Not anymore.""
A loud click sounded.
The steel door began closing automatically.
I rushed forward, but it slammed shut before I could reach it.
Then a small red closing automatically.
I rushed forward, but it slammed shut before I could reach it.
Then a small red light appeared above the handle.
A locking mechanism.
We were trapped.
Martin's voice came through the metal door.
"Nia, there's one more thing you should know light appeared above the handle.
A locking mechanism.
We were trapped.
Martin's voice came through the metal door.
"Nia, there's one more thing you should know about your father.""
I pressed my palm against the cold steel.
"What?""
His answer made Rebecca gasp.
"Your father about your father.""
I pressed my palm against the cold steel.
"What?""
His answer made Rebecca gasp.
"Your father didn't leave you the company because he wanted you to inherit it.""
He paused.
"He left it to you because he knew you would eventually discover who really killed him.""
Then came the sound didn't leave you the company because he wanted you to inherit it.""
He paused.
"He left it to you because he knew you would eventually discover who really killed him.""
Then came the sound of footsteps moving away.
I turned toward Jonathan.
He was staring at the second document.
His face was white.
"What is it?"" I demanded of footsteps moving away.
I turned toward Jonathan.
He was staring at the second document.
His face was white.
"What is it?"" I demanded.
He slowly lifted the page.
At the bottom was a handwritten sentence from my father.
**If Martin is correct, the person who ordered my.
He slowly lifted the page.
At the bottom was a handwritten sentence from my father.
*If Martin is correct, the person who ordered my death is still inside my family.*
And beside that sentence was a name.
Not Patricia.
Not Martin.
Not Daniel.
*Evelyn Hayes.*
My death is still inside my family.**
And beside that sentence was a name.
Not Patricia.
Not Martin.
Not Daniel.
*Evelyn Hayes.*
May you like
My mother.
mother.
