Chapter 9 - The Last Piece of the Puzzle
Vincent survived surgery.
Two days later, he was strong enough to speak for more than a few minutes.
Detective Harper questioned him first.
He confirmed that Richard had orchestrated the warehouse fire, stolen company assets, and arranged the attack in his office.
But there was something he refused to explain.
The identity of the person who had helped Richard for years.
“Vincent,” I said after Harper left. “You told me Richard wasn't alone.”
He stared at the ceiling.
“I didn't know how to tell you.”
“Tell me now.”
He turned toward me.
“Your wife.”
I stood.
“No.”
“Marcus—”
“Elena was the one who helped Richard?”
“No. She was the one who helped him hide the evidence.”
I felt sick.
Vincent continued.
“Richard had someone inside the family. Someone who could access the accounts, the medical records, and the company servers. Elena discovered who it was. She pretended to cooperate with Richard because it was the only way to stay alive.”
“Then why didn't she tell me?”
“Because she believed you were being watched.”
I sat down slowly.
“Who was it?”
Vincent reached for a glass of water.
“Your father's attorney.”
“Martin?”
He nodded.
Martin Caldwell had been our family attorney for twenty-three years.
He had attended my father's funeral.
He had helped manage the trust.
He had even served as Adeline's godfather.
I immediately called Detective Harper.
But before I could explain, she interrupted.
“Marcus, we have a problem.”
“What?”
“Richard's attorney just informed us that his client has an alibi for the night Vincent was attacked.”
“That footage was manipulated.”
“We know. But the original server has been wiped.”
My stomach tightened.
“What about the backups?”
“Gone.”
I looked at Vincent.
He was watching me.
“Martin,” he whispered.
I understood.
The attorney had access to everything.
I asked Detective Harper to send officers to his office.
She agreed.
Then Vincent gripped my wrist.
“There's something else.”
“What?”
“Richard wasn't trying to steal the company.”
I stared at him.
“He already controlled most of it.”
Vincent shook his head.
“He wanted to transfer the trust to someone else.”
“Who?”
Vincent's eyes filled with tears.
“Adeline.”
I couldn't understand.
“Why would he want my daughter?”
“Because your father changed the inheritance agreement after Elena disappeared.”
Vincent took a shaky breath.
“Adeline is the sole beneficiary of the original family trust. If you die, she inherits everything. Richard wanted custody of her and control of the trust.”
The pieces began falling into place.
The attack.
The forged footage.
The false accusations.
The threats.
Everything had been designed to isolate me, destroy my credibility, and make me appear dangerous.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
“Marcus?”
It was Martin Caldwell.
“I'm sorry,” he said.
“Where are you?”
“There's no time. Richard told me everything.”
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Then tell the police.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
His voice dropped.
“Because the man who ordered your father's murder is not Richard.”
Silence.
“Who is it?”
Martin began crying.
“Your father.”
I looked at Vincent.
May you like
He was staring at me with absolute horror.
Then the call ended.
