Chapter 4 - BOX 214
Rios met me at East River Savings the next morning. She had arranged to observe while I opened the box; she warned me she could not promise every item would be admissible without proper documentation.
“Whoever called you knew you were home,” she said. “So don’t confuse a warning with friendship.”
Inside Box 214 was a flash drive, a burned paper ledger, a cheap digital recorder, and a sealed envelope marked DANIEL.
I opened the envelope first.
I should have told you sooner. I was afraid you would defend your father before you believed me. I’m sorry. None of this was Ethan’s fault. Please protect Lily before you try to protect my memory. Love, Em.
My eyes blurred. Even from a grave, Emily worried I would choose the wrong person.
The recorder held one file. Her voice filled the little consultation room.
“Daniel, the Harbor House money was never stolen by Ethan. It was moved through fake contractors. Grant Mercer approved the transfers. Someone used your father’s accounts to make them look legitimate.”
Grant Mercer owned half the buildings in our town. He had stood beside me at Emily’s funeral and promised to pay Lily’s college tuition.
Emily continued. “The flash drive contains the invoices. But the records alone aren't enough. You need the person who witnessed the transfers. He is alive. And he has been trying to come home.”
A scrape interrupted her voice. I heard her whisper, “Who’s there?”
Then the recording ended.
Rios looked at the burned ledger. “Why is your name on these pages?”
May you like
I followed her finger to a transfer authorization. Below a sum of $430,000 was a witness signature I knew better than my own reflection.
It was mine.
