Chapter 5 - MY FATHER'S LOCKER
Police took the note seriously. I took it personally.
Mom took one look at me and said, “Daniel.”
I froze.
“You knew?”
She closed her eyes.
“I knew your father was scared before he died.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were nineteen.”
“I’m twenty-seven now.”
“And every year I hoped it would stay buried.”
Anger came fast.
“Buried? Dad’s name was destroyed.”
“I know.”
“He was called negligent.”
“I know.”
“We lost everything.”
Her eyes filled.
“I know, Avery.”
I stopped.
Mom rarely said my name like that.
She went to the bedroom and returned with an old brass key.
“Your father rented a locker at Union Station.”
“What?”
“He told me if anything happened to him, I should wait.”
“For eight years?”
“He said people with money can wait longer than people with fear.”
The next morning, Dominic sent Luca to drive us.
I refused.
Then my car’s tires reminded me pride was not transportation.
The locker was still active.
Mom had paid the fee every year without telling me.
Inside was a duffel bag.
Inside were three flash drives, a notebook, an old phone and my father’s red work helmet.
I touched it and nearly lost my breath.
There was also an envelope.
AVERY.
Kid,
If you are reading this, I failed to make something right.
Do not confuse fighting with courage.
You always knew how to fight.
Learn when the stronger thing is to collect proof.
Below the letter was a list of company names.
Halcyon Steel.
Moretti Consolidated.
Whitmore Strategic Holdings.
I stared.
Whitmore.
Vanessa’s family.
Luca called Dominic immediately.
His answer came through speaker.
“Do not plug those drives into anything connected to the internet.”
“Why?”
“Because Whitmore Strategic Holdings was dissolved the week after your father died.”
Mom whispered, “Who owned it?”
May you like
Dominic answered.
“Vanessa’s father.”
