Chapter 4 - THE CONSPIRACY
Richard watched the recording three times.
Not because he did not understand it.
Because he did.
Thomas Vale had been his attorney for eleven years.
He had handled acquisitions.
Trusts.
His divorce.
Private investments.
More importantly, he had access to documents most people inside Richard’s empire never saw.
On the footage, Diane whispered, “Maria saw the Zurich folder last week.”
Thomas replied, “She doesn’t know what she saw.”
“She asked why Richard’s signature was on a transfer marked Singapore when he was in Toronto.”
“That’s why she has to go.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
Maria had not been framed because Diane disliked her.
Maria had been framed because she had noticed something.
Something worth destroying her life over.
Richard called his chief financial officer.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
He tried his head of compliance.
This time someone answered.
“Richard?”
“Get into the office.”
“It’s five-thirty.”
“I know.”
“What happened?”
“Pull every international transfer authorized under my name for the last eighteen months.”
A pause.
“All of them?”
“All.”
“That could take—”
“Start now.”
Richard hung up.
Behind him, the office door opened.
Diane stood there.
He turned slowly.
“I told you not to leave your office.”
She stared at his computer screen.
The video was still paused.
Thomas’s face filled half the monitor.
Diane stopped breathing.
Richard watched her eyes.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“What am I doing?”
He almost smiled.
“Finding out how stupid you thought I was.”
Diane stepped backward.
Richard moved toward the desk phone.
She suddenly grabbed a brass letter opener.
Richard froze.
Diane held it with shaking fingers.
“Don’t.”
His expression remained calm.
“You’re going to stab me?”
“I said don’t.”
“Diane.”
“Stay where you are.”
“You framed an innocent woman.”
Her face twisted.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You think Maria is innocent because she cleans your shirts and smiles at your kid?”
“He’s not my kid.”
“You barely know either of them.”
“That doesn’t make theft acceptable.”
Diane looked toward the door.
Richard noticed.
“Frank is outside.”
“No, he isn’t.”
A man stepped into the doorway.
Thomas Vale.
Richard stared at him.
Thomas wore a dark overcoat.
Perfect tie.
No panic.
That frightened Richard more than Diane’s letter opener.
Thomas closed the door.
“You always were annoyingly observant when you finally paid attention.”
Richard’s voice dropped.
“How much?”
Thomas smiled.
“Enough.”
“How much did you steal?”
“Steal?”
Thomas laughed.
“I moved money you were too rich to notice.”
Richard took one step toward him.
Thomas pulled a gun.
The room changed instantly.
Diane lowered the letter opener.
Richard stopped.
Thomas pointed the weapon at his chest.
“Unlock the private investment vault.”
“No.”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
“You think I’m giving you access after watching that video?”
Thomas’s smile vanished.
“The video is a problem.”
“Yes.”
“So is Maria.”
Richard’s blood went cold.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing yet.”
Diane turned.
“Thomas.”
“Shut up.”
Richard stared at him.
Thomas continued.
“She saw enough to become inconvenient.”
“She doesn’t know anything.”
“She doesn’t need to.”
Thomas lifted the gun slightly.
“People believe stories.”
He glanced toward Diane.
“They believed she stole a bracelet.”
Then he looked back at Richard.
“They’ll believe a desperate maid stole money too.”
Richard understood.
“You’re going to frame her for the transfers.”
Thomas smiled.
“Now you’re catching up.”
Richard’s phone vibrated on the desk.
Thomas’s eyes flicked toward it.
One message appeared on the screen.
FROM: MARIA DELGADO.
May you like
Richard could read only the first sentence.
MR. WHITFIELD, SOMEONE IS OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT.
