Chapter 10 - THE DELIVERY RECEIPT
“Three days before the gala,” Claire said. “They were moving it before I arrived.”
Ruth spread the delivery receipt across the hotel desk.
Her audit committee had requested the old vendor files that week. Martin had pulled the box immediately afterward, calling it an internal review. Claire's invitation had brought the two threats together in one room.
Now they understood his panic.
Mara could preserve security records, but she could no longer grant Daniel access simply because he asked. Ruth worked through the independent directors while a detective reviewed the material they had already supplied.
“How long?” Claire asked.
“I won't guess,” Ruth said.
Daniel paced once, then stopped himself.
“I used to snap my fingers and doors opened.”
“Now you know what a door feels like from this side,” Claire said.
He nodded.
That afternoon, a forensic examiner delivered the first findings from Robert's drive. It contained copies of spreadsheets and security clips, but several original files were missing. Enough to justify deeper investigation; not enough to answer every anticipated challenge.
The paper records mattered. So did the original security export listed in box 418.
Claire studied the delivery receipt again.
The receiving signature was a loop followed by two straight lines.
“That's not Martin.”
Daniel leaned closer.
“Facilities?”
“I used to process her travel forms.”
Claire turned the page toward Ruth.
“It's Vanessa.”
She had signed for the box herself, then arranged a maintenance visit to the office when the gala exposed Robert's affidavit. The hidden blue envelope had survived because whoever emptied the upper compartment hadn't found the false bottom.
“She doesn't know what we found,” Claire said.
“We haven't disclosed it,” Ruth answered.
“Then that's why she keeps asking for my tin. She thinks it contains the rest.”
Claire checked on Lucy before making a decision. Her daughter was asleep beneath Anna's sweater, one hand resting on Tuesday's stitched stomach.
When Claire returned, she set the dented tin in front of the detective.
“If she offers another meeting, I want you to know before I answer.”
“You don't have to meet her,” Daniel said.
“I know.”
Her phone lit up.
Vanessa had sent an address: Vaughn Holdings.
May you like
Then a time.
Tonight. Nine. Bring what Robert gave you.
