Chapter 9 - THE TRAP CLOSES
They left through the back door.
Elena knew the neighboring property had an alley leading to another street.
Adrian called a driver he trusted.
They reached the car seconds before two men appeared behind the house.
"Go!" Noah shouted.
The driver accelerated.
Evelyn looked through the rear window.
The SUV followed.
Adrian called federal investigators.
This time Evelyn didn't stop him.
The threat was no longer theoretical.
They drove directly to a federal building in downtown Milwaukee.
Elena gave a formal statement.
So did Martin.
Investigators copied the flash drive.
By afternoon, federal financial crimes agents were reviewing Charles's evidence.
But Richard Vale had moved faster.
At 3:17 p.m., Evelyn received a call from Carrington Global.
The board had called an emergency meeting.
Richard had presented documents claiming Evelyn was emotionally unstable.
He argued that the failed wedding and public accusations had endangered shareholders.
Worse, someone had activated an emergency provision in Charles's old corporate bylaws.
Evelyn's voting authority had been temporarily suspended.
"Who signed it?" she asked.
Her general counsel hesitated.
"Noah."
Evelyn turned toward her brother.
He looked stunned.
"I didn't sign anything."
A copy arrived seconds later.
His signature was there.
Perfect.
Noah stared at it.
"That's forged."
Evelyn looked at Martin.
"Can they remove me?"
"Temporarily."
"For how long?"
"Long enough for Richard to force a board vote."
"When?"
Martin checked his phone.
"Tomorrow morning."
Adrian understood.
"He doesn't need the marriage anymore."
"No," Evelyn said.
"He just needs my company."
Her phone rang.
Richard.
She answered.
"Enjoy Milwaukee?"
Everyone froze.
Evelyn looked toward the windows.
"How do you know where I am?"
Richard chuckled.
"You still don't understand the world you're playing in."
"You threatened me."
"I warned you."
"You killed my father."
A pause.
"Can you prove that?"
Evelyn glanced toward Elena.
"Maybe."
Richard's voice changed.
"Elena Ward is a frightened woman with a history of psychiatric treatment."
Elena closed her eyes.
Richard had prepared for this.
"You won't win," Evelyn said.
"I already have."
"Then why are you calling?"
Silence.
Evelyn smiled.
"You're scared."
Richard hung up.
That was all she needed.
She turned toward the federal agent.
"He's moving the board vote because he thinks we have enough evidence."
The agent nodded.
"We still need financial records linking him directly."
Noah suddenly looked at Adrian.
"Your mother."
Adrian frowned.
"If Margaret tried exposing him fourteen years ago, she might have kept records."
"But we don't know where she is."
Elena did.
"There is one person who might."
"Who?"
"Richard's sister."
Adrian stared at her.
"Aunt Catherine?"
Elena nodded.
"Margaret trusted her."
Adrian immediately called.
Catherine answered on the fourth ring.
She listened without interrupting.
Then she said something that made Adrian sit down.
"I've been waiting fourteen years for you to ask me about your mother."
"Is she alive?"
A long silence followed.
"Yes."
Adrian's eyes filled with tears.
"Where?"
Catherine gave him an address.
Then she added one warning.
"Don't tell anyone you're coming."
May you like
"Why?"
"Because Richard has spent fourteen years making sure Margaret never gets to tell you what really happened."
