Chapter 4 - The Signature I Never Gave
Daniel arrived forty minutes later.
He entered the kitchen and looked around as if calculating the value of every damaged surface.
His attention stopped on the evidence bag containing Lucas Ferrer’s badge.
“That could have been planted.”
“Everything can be planted when you need an excuse,” I said.
Detective Mills watched him carefully.
Daniel placed his portfolio on the counter.
“I handled Lucas’s dismissal personally.”
“Why wasn’t he prosecuted?”
“Because the diverted shipments were recovered.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Daniel loosened his tie.
“The board wanted the situation contained.”
“I am the board.”
“You were preparing for the Valencia acquisition.”
“You told me the evidence would not survive an audit.”
“At the time, that was true.”
The detective stepped closer.
“Where were you tonight?”
“In my office.”
“Can anyone confirm that?”
“My assistant left around eight.”
“The break-in occurred at eight twenty-three.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“I was working alone.”
Marina entered from the hallway after checking on Sofía.
Daniel glanced at the bruise forming near her shoulder.
For the first time, genuine concern appeared on his face.
“You should go to the hospital.”
“I’m fine.”
“You could have been seriously injured.”
Marina studied him.
“So could Eduardo.”
Daniel looked away.
Detective Mills asked to speak with him privately.
While they moved into the library, Marina rolled the syringe gently inside its evidence bag.
“He brought this for you,” she said.
“Or for you.”
“No.”
Her eyes stayed on the clear liquid.
“The intruder looked at you before reaching for it.”
“Maybe it was poison.”
“Maybe.”
“That sounded like disagreement.”
“It could also have been a sedative.”
“Why sedate me?”
“To move you.”
“Or make another fall look natural.”
Marina looked at me.
Neither of us said what we were both thinking.
The original accident.
I had fallen from a private staircase inside a warehouse near PortMiami.
The official report blamed a loose metal railing.
I remembered inspecting a damaged shipment.
I remembered Daniel calling my name from behind me.
Then I remembered waking in an ambulance unable to feel my legs.
“I need the warehouse security footage,” I said.
“It was destroyed in the electrical fire.”
“That fire happened two days after my accident.”
Marina’s expression darkened.
“That is convenient.”
Daniel returned to the kitchen.
Detective Mills followed.
“We’re done for now,” the detective said.
“I’ll send someone to collect the security system logs.”
After the police left, Daniel opened his portfolio.
He removed a document and placed it in front of me.
It was a medical authorization form.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
“This allowed the transfer of your scans,” he said.
I looked at the date.
It had been signed while I was unconscious in intensive care.
“That is not my signature.”
Daniel’s face went still.
“It matches.”
“It is not mine.”
Marina stepped beside me.
“Who witnessed it?”
Daniel pointed to the line beneath the signature.
Patricia Santana.
I felt the anger rise slowly.
“She forged my name.”
“I don’t know that.”
“You brought me the proof.”
“I brought you a document.”
“Why now?”
Daniel looked toward the dark windows.
“Because whoever entered this house tonight is no longer protecting the original plan.”
“What original plan?”
His eyes returned to mine.
“The plan was never supposed to leave you permanently disabled.”
Marina stopped breathing.
I stared at him.
“Start talking.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Not here.”
“This is my house.”
“And your house is compromised.”
He picked up his portfolio.
“There is a board meeting tomorrow morning.”
“Cancel it.”
“I can’t.”
“You work for me.”
Daniel looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
May you like
“Not after tomorrow.”
Then he walked out.
