Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
Thomas spent the night in his office.
He did not sleep.
By six in the morning, he had built a timeline.
His wife's death.
Evelyn's arrival.
The suspicious documents.
Genevieve's threats.
The mysterious man.
The USB.
Nothing connected.
That was what bothered him.
Every clue appeared important, yet none explained the whole picture.
At 7:15, David entered.
“We found the man.”
Thomas looked up.
“Who?”
“His name is Aaron Pike.”
“Background?”
“Former financial investigator.”
Thomas leaned back.
“Former?”
“Lost his license seven years ago.”
“Why?”
“Accused of falsifying evidence.”
Thomas stared.
“Was he convicted?”
“No.”
“Then why did he lose his license?”
“His employer settled privately.”
Thomas felt a familiar chill.
“Find him.”
They found Aaron two hours later.
He was living above a mechanic's shop in Quincy.
Thomas arrived alone.
Aaron opened the door and immediately recognized him.
“You finally figured it out.”
Thomas stopped.
“You know who I am.”
“I know exactly who you are.”
“Then explain Evelyn.”
Aaron laughed bitterly.
“Evelyn isn't the mastermind.”
Thomas's eyes narrowed.
“Who is?”
Aaron looked behind him.
“Come inside.”
The apartment smelled of coffee and old paper.
Aaron pulled a folder from a cabinet.
“Your wife hired me eight years ago.”
Thomas froze.
“My wife?”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
“She suspected someone was stealing from your company.”
“Who?”
Aaron placed several documents on the table.
“Your chief financial officer.”
Thomas stared.
“Martin?”
Aaron nodded.
“Martin was moving money through shell companies.”
Thomas's mind raced.
“Why would Evelyn be involved?”
“She wasn't.”
Aaron looked at him.
“She was investigating him because she suspected your family foundation was being used.”
Thomas picked up a document.
“What does Evelyn have to do with it?”
“Nothing.”
Aaron paused.
“Until your wife died.”
Thomas looked up.
“What happened then?”
“She discovered something worse.”
“What?”
Aaron's expression became grim.
“She discovered someone inside your family had been helping Martin.”
Thomas's heart sank.
“Who?”
Aaron slid another document forward.
The name had been blacked out.
Thomas looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because your wife made me promise never to reveal it unless you were about to marry Evelyn.”
Thomas stood.
“Why Evelyn?”
Aaron sighed.
“Because Evelyn was one of the people your wife suspected.”
Thomas felt anger rise.
“You just said she wasn't involved.”
“I said she wasn't involved originally.”
“What changed?”
Aaron looked toward the window.
“Your wife died.”
Silence.
“And then Evelyn appeared.”
Thomas stared at him.
“You think she killed my wife?”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
“That would be too simple.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“Then tell me the truth.”
Aaron opened another file.
Inside were bank transfers.
Dates.
Accounts.
Names.
Thomas recognized one.
Richard Bell.
His attorney.
Thomas sat down.
“Richard?”
Aaron nodded.
“Your attorney moved money through three companies connected to Martin.”
Thomas's stomach twisted.
“Why would he do that?”
“Because your family wasn't just losing money.”
Aaron leaned forward.
“Someone was preparing to take control of the entire Vance estate.”
Thomas looked at him.
“And Evelyn?”
“She was supposed to marry you.”
“Why?”
“To gain legal access.”
Thomas stared at the documents.
Then Aaron said something that changed everything.
“She wasn't supposed to be your wife.”
May you like
Thomas looked up.
“She was supposed to be your trustee.”
