Chapter 18 - The Mistake In Richard’s Memory
Richard stared at the security record.
His own name.
His own badge.
The night Eleanor died.
“No.”
Detective Hale watched him carefully.
“Do you remember that night?”
Richard looked away.
Pieces.
Only pieces.
The hospital.
The doctors.
The phone call.
The panic.
He remembered arriving.
But there was a missing hour.
One hour nobody had ever explained.
Dr. Reed was brought back for questioning.
Richard demanded answers.
“You knew.”
The doctor looked down.
“Yes.”
“What happened that night?”
Dr. Reed sighed.
“You came to the hospital.”
Richard frowned.
“I know.”
“No.”
The doctor looked at him.
“You came before Eleanor gave birth.”
Richard froze.
“What?”
“You argued with someone.”
“Who?”
Dr. Reed hesitated.
“Your business partner.”
The room went silent.
Richard remembered.
A meeting.
An argument.
A warning.
But not everything.
Something had happened.
Something his mind had buried.
The business partner’s name was revealed.
Charles Whitmore.
The man who helped build Sterling Logistics.
The man who disappeared after selling his shares.
The man everyone thought simply retired.
Police tracked him.
They found him living under another name.
And he was not surprised when they arrived.
He only said:
“I wondered how long it would take.”
Richard met Charles face to face.
“Why?”
Charles smiled sadly.
“Because you never listened.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Charles looked at him.
“Eleanor tried to warn you.”
Richard lowered his voice.
“About what?”
Charles answered:
“About the people you trusted.”
Then Charles revealed the final piece.
Victoria’s father.
Dr. Reed.
Richard’s own company.
They were all connected.
But someone else had been controlling the plan.
Someone Richard never suspected.
Someone who had been beside him for years.
Charles placed a photograph on the table.
Richard looked down.
His blood turned cold.
The picture showed Eleanor.
Pregnant.
Standing beside someone.
Someone smiling beside her.
May you like
Someone Richard knew.
His closest friend.
