Chapter 6 - THE LOCKER
The key opened a train-station locker in downtown Chicago.
Inside sat a metal cash box wrapped in plastic.
Paul Clark had packed it like he expected someone to find it years later.
There were bank statements, flash drives, and a handwritten note to Emma.
If Nathan has a child, they will come for the child before they come for the money.
Grace read the sentence twice.
"Paul knew about Lily?"
Emma shook her head. "He couldn't have."
Nathan opened the next page.
Paul had discovered Marcus paying private investigators to track women Nathan had dated.
One name was circled.
Grace Bennett.
Date: five years ago.
Before Lily was born.
Nathan felt sick.
Marcus had been watching Grace since the beginning.
The flash drive contained financial records from Cole Capital.
Forty-six million dollars had moved through fake construction vendors into accounts tied to Marcus.
Victoria appeared on two of the companies.
Daniel said, "This is enough to trigger a federal investigation."
Then Emma opened one final audio file.
Paul's voice filled the car.
"If you're hearing this, I didn't make it. Marcus has something on Nathan's father. I don't know what. But Richard Cole is scared of his own nephew."
Nathan flinched.
His father had never seemed afraid of anyone.
Paul continued.
"And there is one person in that house Marcus cannot control. Her name is Victoria Vale. That's why he's going to marry her to Nathan."
Grace looked at Nathan.
"You thought the engagement was your idea?"
He remembered the first introduction.
A charity board dinner Marcus had insisted he attend.
Victoria sitting beside him.
Perfectly placed.
Perfectly informed.
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The audio ended with a final sentence.
"If Richard dies before he tells Nathan the truth, look behind the portrait in the blue library."
