Chapter 5 - The First Betrayal

Daniel wanted to hand over the files immediately.

Detective Monroe refused.

“If these people killed Samuel over this evidence, giving it back will not guarantee your mother survives.”

Daniel grabbed the edge of the table.

“That’s easy for you to say.”

I understood his fear.

I also understood something he did not.

Samuel had died protecting these files.

If we surrendered them without a plan, his death would mean nothing.

“We make copies.”

Daniel looked at me.

“We make enough copies that killing Margaret or any of us becomes useless.”

Monroe nodded.

“That’s exactly what we do.”

For the first time since the necklace fell from my bag, I stopped feeling like a victim.

We scanned everything.

Copies were sent to federal investigators, a journalist Samuel had apparently trusted, and an attorney chosen by Detective Monroe.

Then Daniel returned home carrying the original box.

The kidnappers called at 11:30 p.m.

A distorted voice gave instructions.

Daniel was to leave Box 317 inside an abandoned warehouse in Yonkers.

No police.

No trackers.

No mistakes.

Marcus prepared a hidden surveillance team anyway.

Vanessa asked to speak with me before we left.

Her face was bruised.

“I know who gave me the envelope.”

“Tell me.”

She hesitated.

“Victor Hale.”

My heart sank.

“The family lawyer?”

“He paid me two hundred thousand dollars.”

“To frame me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He said you had stolen confidential Harrington documents and that getting you arrested would give them legal authority to search everything you owned.”

“Why didn’t you tell Daniel?”

Vanessa laughed sadly.

“Because Victor knew about my debts.”

Her father had lost millions.

Vanessa had secretly borrowed money from dangerous lenders to maintain the lifestyle everyone believed she could afford.

Victor had purchased the debt.

Then he used it to control her.

“I thought you would be questioned for one night.”

Her voice broke.

“I didn’t know anyone would kill you.”

I wanted to hate her.

Part of me still did.

But fear had turned Vanessa into a weapon.

Victor had simply pointed her at me.

At midnight, Daniel entered the warehouse carrying Box 317.

The lights inside suddenly switched on.

Margaret sat tied to a chair.

A man stood behind her.

Daniel stopped.

So did I.

Because the man holding the weapon was not Victor Hale.

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