Chapter 5 - DINNER WITH MARCUS
Alan told him not to go.
Elena told him absolutely not to go alone.
Daniel went anyway.
But he wore a wire.
Marcus chose an old steakhouse downtown.
Their father used to take them there after board meetings.
Same dark wood.
Same red leather booths.
Same smell of bourbon and grilled meat.
Marcus was already seated.
“You came.”
“You invited me.”
“I wasn’t sure Claire would let you out.”
Daniel sat down.
Marcus smiled.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“That look.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you already think I’m guilty.”
Daniel picked up the menu.
“Guilty of what?”
Marcus laughed quietly.
“You’re terrible at this.”
“At dinner?”
“At lying.”
A waiter brought drinks.
Daniel didn’t touch his.
Marcus did.
“So,” Marcus said, “how long has Claire been investigating me?”
Daniel kept his face still.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Daniel.”
Marcus leaned closer.
“She hired a private investigator.”
“You sound sure.”
“I am.”
“How?”
Marcus’s smile disappeared.
“That’s not important.”
“It is to me.”
“Then ask your wife.”
Daniel studied him.
“Where’s Evan Brooks?”
Marcus blinked.
Just once.
Then reached for his glass.
“Who?”
Daniel leaned back.
There.
A tiny mistake.
Marcus knew the name.
“You tell me.”
“I have no idea.”
“You just said Claire hired a private investigator.”
“I didn’t say I knew his name.”
Daniel’s pulse accelerated.
Marcus smiled again, but it looked forced now.
“You’re wearing a wire, aren’t you?”
Daniel froze.
Marcus stared at his shirt.
Then burst out laughing.
“Jesus.”
He shook his head.
“This is unbelievable.”
Daniel said nothing.
Marcus leaned forward.
“You think I stole from the company?”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then where’s the money?”
“Working.”
“For who?”
“For us.”
“What investment?”
Marcus lowered his voice.
“The kind Dad never had the guts to make.”
Daniel’s hands tightened.
“Don’t use him.”
“Why? He’s dead.”
Daniel almost stood.
Marcus smiled.
“There’s the big brother.”
“Answer the question.”
“I moved capital into several private entities.”
“Without board approval.”
“Because the board is slow.”
“Without my approval.”
“Because you’re slower.”
“Seven million dollars.”
“We’ll make twenty.”
“And Claire?”
Marcus’s eyes hardened.
Daniel watched closely.
“What about her?”
“Almost two million landed in her account.”
Marcus slowly sat back.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely surprised.
Then he started laughing.
Daniel frowned.
“What’s funny?”
Marcus wiped his mouth with the napkin.
“Oh, Daniel.”
“What?”
“You really don’t know.”
“Know what?”
Marcus leaned across the table.
“Claire didn’t just find the money.”
He lowered his voice to a whisper.
“She asked for her cut.”
Daniel felt the world tilt.
“That’s a lie.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
Marcus pulled out his phone.
Tapped the screen.
Then slid it across the table.
A video played.
Claire stood in a parking garage.
Talking to Victor Hale.
Sterling Financial.
The audio was poor, but one sentence was clear.
Claire’s voice.
“I want two million, or Daniel gets everything.”
Daniel stared at the screen.
May you like
Marcus smiled.
“You married the wrong criminal.”
