Chapter 6 - THE MAN BEHIND THE MONEY
Martin Cole had been with Grant since the company's earliest days.
He had helped negotiate contracts, recruited executives, and managed the finances during its most difficult years. Grant trusted him with information he rarely shared with anyone else.
That trust had made the betrayal possible.
“You forged the authorization,” Claire said.
Martin placed the folder on the table.
“I moved funds to protect the company.”
“You stole millions.”
“I redirected money that belonged to a private trust.”
“Using my identity.”
“You were convenient.”
Claire's anger rose, but she kept her voice steady.
“Why involve Paige?”
Martin glanced at her.
“She believed she was investigating the company. I let her believe that because she was useful.”
Paige stepped between them.
“You told me Richard Bennett was alive.”
“He may be.”
“You said the records would prove it.”
“They will prove whatever I need them to prove.”
Martin took a small device from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“Your father recorded a conversation before he disappeared. The recording identifies the people who funded the original intelligence network. If it becomes public, Calloway Protective Solutions will collapse.”
Claire stared at him.
“Then why not destroy it?”
“Because I don't know where it is.”
He held out his hand.
“The key.”
Claire refused.
Martin's expression hardened.
“Your husband has been searching for you all day. He's making mistakes. His board is demanding answers. His reputation is collapsing. Give me the key, and I'll let you leave.”
“You kidnapped a pregnant woman and think I'm going to negotiate?”
“I think you're smart enough to understand that morality won't protect your daughter.”
Claire's hand trembled, but her voice did not.
“Neither will money.”
Martin's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and swore under his breath.
Grant had traced the stolen sedan to the property.
Martin grabbed Paige's arm.
“Move.”
Paige pulled away.
“No.”
He stared at her.
“You owe me.”
“I owe you nothing.”
The first crash sounded from the outer door.
Grant's security team had arrived.
Martin shoved the folder into his coat and ran through a rear exit. Paige hurried to Claire, helping her stand.
“Can you walk?”
“Yes.”
They reached the hallway just as Grant entered the room.
For one moment, he and Claire stared at each other.
Then he crossed the distance between them and stopped inches away, afraid to touch her without permission.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“The baby?”
“She’s moving.”
Grant's eyes filled with relief.
“I thought I'd lost you.”
Claire looked at him.
“You almost did.”
He lowered his head.
“I know.”
Outside, Elena's team had captured one of Martin's associates, but Martin himself had escaped.
Paige handed Grant the folder she had recovered.
Inside was a list of payments to politicians, private investigators, and several executives at competing security firms.
At the bottom was a transfer authorization dated three days before Richard Bennett's death.
The signature belonged to Grant's father.
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And the payment had been made to a medical facility that no longer existed.
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