Chapter 9 - The Password He Gave Away
“My mother knows the password,” Daniel admitted.
“Then you need to say that in your statement,” Ortiz replied. “A username isn't a person.”
At Whitmore House, Patricia was hosting lunch for the board of the family foundation. A new stroller waited in the entrance hall like a staged apology.
“I've been reassuring our friends,” she said when he walked in.
“You've been spreading lies about Emily.”
Patricia set down her glass. “I am protecting my family.”
“By filing to take control of Sophie without telling me?”
The guests stopped talking. Patricia's smile held, but her fingers tightened around the stem.
“Daniel, this isn't the time.”
“Then name one time you've ever told me the truth.”
He asked the guests to leave and laid the trust petition on the table. Patricia glanced at the signature.
“You were exhausted. We discussed this.”
“We discussed you helping with school pickup. Not replacing me as Sophie's guardian.”
She leaned forward. “You struck an employee in front of your child. Do you really think a judge will leave your fortune and your daughter in your hands?”
“No judge should ignore what I did. I won't ignore what you did either.”
Patricia's expression changed. Not guilt. Calculation.
“If you fight me, you'll lose everything,” she said quietly. “I can make sure of that.”
Daniel left the room and called Ortiz. While he spoke, Owen hurried into the hall.
“Sir, I found the backup drive. Somebody pulled it out of the recorder cabinet, but the device made a copy before the wipe.”
“Does it have the driveway?”
“Maybe. It's encrypted. I didn't want to plug it in.”
May you like
Daniel took a step toward him. From the dining room behind them came Patricia's voice.
“Owen. Give me that drive.”
