Chapter 7 - THE MAN OUTSIDE THE WINDOW
Police searched the grounds.
They found footprints beneath Sophie’s window.
Large.
Male.
The tracks disappeared near the east wall.
Richard had either returned to the estate or sent someone.
Ethan refused to let Sophie stay there another night.
Detective Collins arranged a secure location.
Only four people knew the address.
Ethan.
Collins.
The district attorney.
And the two officers assigned to Sophie.
Before leaving, Ethan walked into Amelia’s old bedroom.
He had avoided it since marrying Celeste.
Celeste had redecorated almost everything.
New curtains.
New furniture.
New paintings.
But now Ethan understood why.
She had not simply wanted to replace Amelia.
She had been searching.
He examined the room carefully.
Behind a massive wardrobe was a section of wall with fresh plaster.
“Detective.”
Collins joined him.
The officers opened it.
Inside was a narrow cavity.
Empty.
Almost.
One torn envelope remained.
Amelia Blackwood.
Private and Confidential.
The return address belonged to a law firm in Boston.
Ethan recognized the name.
Morrison, Tate & Bell.
Amelia’s personal attorneys.
“Are they still operating?”
Collins checked.
“Yes.”
Ethan called immediately.
The senior partner, Henry Tate, was eighty-one.
The moment Ethan gave Amelia’s name, the old man became silent.
“Mr. Blackwood.”
“Yes?”
“I have been waiting seven years for this call.”
Ethan gripped the phone.
“What do you mean?”
“Amelia gave us instructions.”
“What instructions?”
“She said we were not to contact you unless one of two things happened.”
“What things?”
“Either Sophie turned seven.”
Ethan looked at the calendar.
Sophie’s seventh birthday was twelve days away.
“Or?”
“Or someone attempted to remove Sophie from the United States.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“When can I see you?”
“Immediately.”
Two hours later, Ethan sat in Tate’s office with Detective Collins.
The attorney brought out a sealed metal box.
“Amelia came here eleven days before her death.”
Inside were legal documents.
Share certificates.
Trust amendments.
And a sealed letter.
Tate handed it to Ethan.
“Her instructions were that you read this privately.”
Ethan looked at Collins.
She stood.
“I’ll wait outside.”
He opened the letter.
“My dearest Ethan,
If you are reading this, something I feared has happened.
Please do not waste time blaming yourself.
Richard used our foundation to hide money belonging to dangerous people.
Celeste helped him create false charities.
Victor altered medical records whenever victims threatened litigation.
I discovered enough to expose them.
But there is something else.
The money was not simply stolen.
It was being used to purchase controlling shares in Blackwood Holdings through hidden companies.”
Ethan stopped.
His pulse accelerated.
He continued.
“If Richard gains enough shares, he can force you out.
I moved my personal shares into Sophie’s trust to block him.
When Sophie turns seven, those shares become permanently protected.
Until then, a legal guardian with the correct documents could transfer voting authority abroad.”
That was the reason for Zurich.
Twelve days.
Richard was running out of time.
The next sentence made Ethan’s hands go cold.
May you like
“Celeste does not love Richard.
She is more dangerous than he knows.”
