Chapter 13 - The Assistant Who Stayed Quiet
Miles Trent had once handled Ethan's calendar, travel and expense approvals. I remembered him as a man who never looked anyone in the eye. He had disappeared from Caldwell Industries a year after Malcolm's death.
Kim couldn't tell me everything from the interview. She could tell me this: Miles said Arthur's office had directed him to approve payments through Northbridge. He claimed Victoria provided the language for my withdrawal letter and told him where to send it. He had kept a personal copy of his instructions.
"Will he testify?" I asked.
"His attorney is discussing that with prosecutors. Don't count on a promise until it becomes a sworn statement."
Ethan's suspension became permanent. Arthur's allies voted him out of day-to-day control. News cameras crowded the company entrance as he left carrying a single cardboard box.
He called me from the sidewalk. "I'm not asking you to rescue me. I wanted you to hear it from me, not from the news."
"What happens to the employees?"
"I asked the independent directors to keep the audit going. That's all I can do while I'm out."
For the first time, I heard him speak about people who had no reason to love him, and mean it.
That afternoon, I found a note in our mailbox without a stamp. It was written on thick cream paper: YOUR DAUGHTER HAS A BEAUTIFUL VOICE. IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF SHE STOPPED SINGING.
My stomach dropped. I called Kim, photographed it, and left it untouched for the officer who came to collect it.
Mrs. Alvarez insisted Lily sleep at her sister's place with me until the police assessed the threat. I packed a small bag while Lily watched.
"Are we going on a trip?" she asked.
"Just a sleepover somewhere safe."
She looked at the music box Grace had given her. "Can the song come too?"
May you like
I put it in the bag. Beneath it was an older card I'd never noticed, tucked into the cardboard base.
On that card Malcolm Caldwell had written my name.
