Chapter 11 - The Family Business
The shooter got away.
Stephen took a bullet through the shoulder.
My grandfather, William Harper, had built his fortune through construction, real estate, and fraud.
Shell companies, kickbacks, bribes, offshore cash.
Stephen helped clean the books.
Marlene helped move money after she married my father.
"What did Dad do?" I asked.
"He found out."
"When?"
"After Emily disappeared."
"Your father thought Marlene had killed her. While he was searching for proof, he found the financial records."
"And you cut his brakes?"
Stephen closed his eyes.
"No."
"She says you paid for it."
"I paid the mechanic."
"Same thing."
"To repair the brakes."
"My father photographed a damaged line."
"Because someone cut it before the mechanic got there. I paid cash to replace the line. Your father thought I was covering something up."
"Who cut it?"
Stephen looked at me.
"William."
"My grandfather?"
"He told me your father was becoming a liability."
"Did my mother know?"
"Yes."
"Did she help him?"
Stephen didn't answer.
That was an answer.
Noah leaned forward.
"Why hurt Sofia now?"
Stephen looked toward the door.
"Because the trust doesn't just transfer money."
"What else?"
"Voting control."
"Of what?"
"The holding company that still owns land, partnerships, and records from William's old businesses."
"If Claire gets control, she can open everything."
Stephen nodded.
"Your mother has spent twelve years making sure nobody does."
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
A photograph loaded.
Sofia.
Sleeping in her portable crib.
Taken that night.
Inside Noah's sister's house.
Beneath it were five words.
THE BABY IS STILL REACHABLE.
Noah stood so fast the chair fell.
We called his sister.
No answer.
Then my phone rang.
May you like
Marlene's voice whispered through the speaker.
"I told you people would die."
