Chapter 6 - The Man Who Tried to Erase a Family
Richard Sterling was not a man accustomed to losing.
For decades, he had built his reputation on making other people's problems disappear. He knew judges, prosecutors, business owners, and men who could frighten witnesses into silence without leaving a mark.
But he had made one mistake.
He had underestimated Daniel Bennett.
When the first investigators arrived at Richard's office with a warrant, he was already gone.
His assistant claimed he had left for an out-of-state meeting. His private car had been found abandoned near a railway station. His phone was switched off.
Margaret Shaw informed Vincent that Richard had likely learned about the recovered recording.
“He knows the evidence is real,” she said. “We need to assume he will try to destroy anything else that connects him to Elena's disappearance.”
Vincent stood at the mansion's window, looking out over the grounds.
“Then we make sure he can't reach Clara, Elena, or Grace.”
Margaret's expression was firm.
“Security is important, but we cannot solve this by sending armed men after him. If you want a conviction, every step needs to be documented and lawful.”
Vincent turned.
“I know.”
She studied him.
“Do you? Your father would have handled this differently.”
“My father isn't here.”
“And you are not your father.”
The words hung between them.
Vincent looked down at his hands.
For years, he had told himself that keeping Elena away from his criminal world had been an act of love. He had hidden threats, withheld information, and let other people make decisions on his behalf.
Those choices had helped Richard manipulate them.
“I won't make the same mistakes again,” he said.
Meanwhile, Clara was transferred to a private recovery suite at the mansion after her doctor approved the move. She was given a comfortable room on the ground floor, with easy access to medical care and no stairs to climb.
She insisted on making one decision herself.
“I don't want to be treated like a prisoner.”
Vincent nodded immediately.
“You're not.”
“I want my own phone. I want to speak to my doctor without asking permission. And I want to know what is happening with the investigation.”
“You'll have all three.”
“And I want to keep working when the doctor says it's safe.”
He hesitated.
“Clara, you nearly fell down the stairs.”
“Because Vanessa ordered me to carry that suitcase. I won't let her actions decide the rest of my life.”
Vincent looked at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“You're right.”
He arranged for Clara to receive her wages, medical care, and paid leave without any obligation to remain employed by the Moretti household.
She could stay in the mansion for protection, or move somewhere else whenever she chose.
That evening, a secure message arrived from Elena.
I know where Richard is going.
She sent the location of a private airfield outside Chicago.
Margaret passed the information to investigators. Authorities discovered that Richard had booked transport under a false identity and planned to leave the country before the evidence could be fully authenticated.
The authorities moved quickly.
Richard's car was found near the airfield, but he had already left the building.
Then a new message arrived from Elena.
He has people watching Margaret Ellis. If he reaches her, Grace could be in danger.
Vincent looked at the investigators.
“We have to protect her.”
The lead investigator replied, “We have officers on the way. You must not go there yourself.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
Every instinct told him to take his own men and reach Wisconsin immediately.
But he remembered Elena's warning.
Bring our daughter home, not create another grave.
He nodded.
“Then tell me how I can help without compromising the operation.”
For the first time, the man who had once relied on fear chose patience.
The investigation uncovered another crucial detail: Richard had paid a private security contractor to monitor Clara's apartment and report any attempt to retrieve Daniel's belongings.
The contractor's records showed that the break-in had been ordered after the suitcase was opened.
Richard was not simply trying to conceal an old betrayal.
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He was still trying to control the evidence.
And he was running out of time.
