Chapter 6 - The Video
The video file was dated eight years earlier.
Martin Hales appeared on screen in a parked car. He looked exhausted, tie loose, eyes jumping toward the rearview mirror.
"If you're watching this," he said, "I didn't resign because of stress."
Evelyn gripped the table.
Martin continued.
"Carter Meridian has been using vendor contracts to move money out of employee benefit reserves. Northstar processes the transfers. Harbor Point receives them. Meridian Field Services sends part of it back through consulting agreements."
Maya stopped the video.
"That's a circular-payment structure."
"Keep going," I said.
Martin named Harold.
Then Victor Sloan.
Then he said Daniel had recently been brought into meetings but "didn't yet understand the full structure."
Martin leaned closer to the camera.
"Thomas Bennett found the pattern because his pension statement was wrong. He started asking questions. Harold wants him discredited before anyone listens."
My nails dug into my palms.
"Dad figured it out from his own retirement statement."
The video cut briefly.
When it returned, Martin was inside an office.
A man's voice came from off camera.
"Delete that."
Martin turned.
"Get out of my office, Daniel."
I stopped breathing.
Daniel stepped into frame.
Younger. Cleaner-faced. Angry.
"My father says Bennett is trying to destroy us."
"Your father is stealing from people."
Daniel stared at him.
Then he looked directly toward the camera.
"Turn that off."
The file ended.
Evelyn whispered, "He knew."
Enough.
My phone rang again.
This time it was an unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice said, "My name is Nora Hales. Martin was my husband."
"Mrs. Hales?"
"Your father came to our house three nights before Martin died."
My heartbeat thudded against my ribs.
"I need to speak with you."
May you like
"You do," she said. "Because Martin left something for Thomas Bennett."
"And after Thomas died, your husband came looking for it."
