Chapter 15 - ETHANâS FATHER

Ethan stopped speaking for almost an hour. His father, Michael Whitmore, had died twelve years earlier during a solo boating trip. The official investigation blamed a fuel leak. Now records suggested sabotage.
Gregory demanded a lawyer. Under pressure, he finally admitted he had paid the mechanic. But not for himself. Gregory looked destroyed.
âYour brother.â Richard went pale. âCharles?â Charles Whitmore was Richardâs younger brother and a board member. He had spent years arguing that Michael and later Ethan controlled too much of the family company. The boating accident had moved Charles closer to power.
She recognized the look. The moment a person realizes their memories have been built around a lie. Ethan asked one question. âDid Charles order my father killed?â Gregory stared at the floor.
âHe said the boat only needed to break down.â âThat isnât what I asked.â âI donât know.â Police arrested Charles at his office that afternoon. He denied everything. They found an old ledger. Payments.
Dates. Names. The mechanic. And two private investigators.
One name appeared again. Colin Mercer. Naomi almost laughed at the ugliness of it. The same man Vanessa hired out of jealousy had been carrying pieces of the Whitmore familyâs darkest secret for years.
Ethan stood outside the police station. âIt started before either of us knew.â He looked at her. âWhy does that sound like something your old instructor would say?â âBecause Margaret says annoying things that turn out to be right.â He smiled weakly. Then the smile faded.
âNaomi, when this is over, I need to ask you something.â âNo.â âYou donât know what Iâm asking.â âYes, I do.â He looked surprised. She continued. Your fatherâs death may have been murder. Your family is falling apart.
May you like
Whatever you think you feel right now is mixed with grief.â Ethan lowered his eyes. âYouâre very irritating.â âSo Iâve been told.â He nodded. âFine. Iâll wait.â Naomi turned to leave.
Behind her, Ethan said, âBut Iâm still going to ask.â She did not look back. She was smiling too much.