Chapter 6 - SARAH’S OLD ATTORNEY
Daniel drove to Reed’s office without making an appointment.
The receptionist tried to stop him.
He walked past her.
Peter Reed stood behind his desk when Daniel entered.
He looked more tired than surprised.
“Close the door.”
Daniel didn’t.
“How long have you known Claire?”
Reed looked toward the hallway.
“This is complicated.”
“It stopped being complicated when she tied my daughter to a tree.”
Reed’s face changed.
“She did what?”
Daniel studied him.
For once, the shock looked real.
He placed Mark’s photograph on the desk.
“Explain.”
Reed stared at the image.
Then he sat down.
“Claire’s last name wasn’t Morgan when Sarah knew her.”
Daniel said nothing.
“It was Bennett.”
“Who was she?”
“Sarah’s financial assistant at the foundation.”
Daniel felt sick.
Sarah had run a small charitable foundation before her death.
She had never spoken about Claire.
Reed continued.
“Sarah fired her.”
“Why?”
“She suspected money was being moved through shell companies.”
“North Bridge?”
Reed looked up sharply.
Daniel had his answer.
“You knew.”
“I knew there were allegations.”
“You helped create Lily’s trust.”
“Yes.”
“Then how did eighty-four thousand dollars disappear?”
Reed’s face tightened.
“I did not authorize those transfers.”
Daniel leaned across the desk.
“Someone forged my signature.”
Reed stood.
“Daniel, listen to me.”
“No.”
“You listen.”
“If Claire worked for Sarah, why did she pretend she never knew her?”
Reed hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Daniel grabbed the photograph.
“What was in the blue box?”
Reed whispered.
“Evidence.”
“Of what?”
Before Reed could answer, the office lights went out.
The hallway erupted in screams.
A fire alarm began ringing.
Reed rushed toward a cabinet.
“Stay here.”
Daniel heard glass break in the back room.
He ran toward the sound.
A hooded figure climbed through a shattered window carrying a file case.
Daniel chased him into the parking lot.
The man jumped into a waiting SUV.
May you like
As it sped away, Daniel saw one thing through the rear window.
The blue metal box was on the seat.
