Chapter 11 - THE FAMILY LAWYER
Richard Cole had handled Arthur’s family affairs for twenty-seven years.
He wrote Arthur’s first business contract.
He created Noah’s trust.
He drafted Arthur and Elena’s prenup.
He had dinner at their house every Christmas.
And his name was now on Maria’s warning.
Arthur called him.
Richard answered on the second ring.
“Arthur. Thank God you’re alive.”
Arthur forced his voice to stay normal.
“You heard about the boat?”
“It’s all over the news.”
“I need your help.”
“Anything.”
Arthur looked at Warren.
“There’s a problem with Noah’s trust.”
Silence.
Only half a second.
But enough.
“What kind of problem?” Richard asked.
“Eight-million-dollar transfer.”
“That’s impossible.”
Arthur smiled without humor.
“You sure?”
“Of course. The trust is locked.”
“Meet me at your office.”
“Arthur, perhaps we should wait until—”
“Now.”
Another pause.
“Fine.”
Arthur ended the call.
Warren crossed his arms.
“You think he’ll show?”
“He thinks I don’t know.”
They reached Richard’s office at 7:40 A.M.
The receptionist hadn’t arrived.
Richard was waiting alone.
He hugged Arthur.
Arthur didn’t hug him back.
Richard noticed.
“You look terrible.”
“Long night.”
“I heard Elena was arrested.”
“She will be.”
“And Daniel?”
“Missing.”
Richard sighed.
“Tragic.”
Arthur sat across from him.
“Explain the trust.”
Richard opened a folder.
“The trust requires your authorization for any early distribution.”
“And Elena’s?”
“In some circumstances.”
“Could eight million be moved?”
“No.”
“You’re certain?”
“Absolutely.”
Arthur slid the forged documents across the desk.
Richard looked at them.
His face remained calm.
Too calm.
“These are fabricated.”
“Whose template?”
Richard examined the footer.
“Mine.”
“Whose legal language?”
“Likely copied.”
Arthur leaned back.
“And the administrator access code?”
Richard looked up.
“What?”
“The one Daniel used.”
“I have no idea.”
Arthur pulled Maria’s note from his pocket.
Richard’s eyes landed on it.
Just for a second.
Then he looked away.
Arthur saw everything he needed.
“You know Maria found the ledger.”
Richard stood.
“I think you should leave.”
Warren stepped out of the hallway.
“Actually, I think you should sit down.”
Richard froze.
Warren showed his badge.
“We have some questions.”
Richard laughed nervously.
“About what?”
Arthur’s voice turned cold.
“About stealing from my son.”
Richard moved suddenly.
Not toward the door.
Toward his desk drawer.
Warren drew his weapon.
“Hands where I can see them!”
Richard stopped.
Slowly raised his hands.
Warren opened the drawer.
Inside was a handgun.
And two passports.
One belonged to Richard.
The other belonged to Daniel Price.
Arthur stared at him.
“You were helping him leave.”
Richard said nothing.
“Why?”
Still nothing.
Arthur slammed both hands on the desk.
“WHY?”
Richard finally looked at him.
“Because Daniel was never supposed to take Noah.”
Arthur froze.
“What did you say?”
Richard swallowed.
“The plan was financial fraud. Nothing more.”
“The plan?”
Warren immediately moved closer.
“Keep talking.”
Richard sat down.
His shoulders collapsed.
“Elena needed money. Daniel wanted ownership. I created temporary access structures. We would move funds, restructure debt, make it look like business losses.”
Arthur stared in disbelief.
“You were robbing me.”
Richard looked ashamed.
“Yes.”
“And when Daniel started talking about killing me?”
“I told him no.”
“But you kept helping.”
“I was already in too deep.”
Arthur’s voice broke with disgust.
“You were my father’s best friend.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“I know.”
“Did my father know what kind of man you were?”
Richard flinched.
Then Arthur asked the question that changed his expression completely.
“Where is Maria?”
Richard looked toward Warren.
“I don’t know.”
Arthur leaned closer.
“Wrong answer.”
Richard’s lips trembled.
“I don’t know where she is now.”
“Now?”
Richard looked at Arthur.
“Daniel didn’t take her from the hospital.”
Arthur stopped.
“Then who did?”
May you like
Richard whispered:
“Elena did.”
