Chapter 7 - The Brother Who Wanted Her Dead
Darlene did not speak for nearly ten minutes.
She sat beside the conference table, staring at the insurance report.
I watched her carefully.
The woman who could command a boardroom with one sentence suddenly looked like someone whose entire childhood had been rewritten.
"My father knew."
Evelyn nodded.
"The document suggests he received information about possible tampering."
Darlene shook her head.
"He told me it was mechanical failure."
Nora looked away.
Darlene stared.
"Seven years."
I said nothing.
She continued.
"Seven years of surgery. Rehabilitation. Pain."
Her voice broke.
"And he knew."
I sat beside her.
Not touching.
Just there.
She looked at me.
For the first time, tears ran down her face.
"I thought he was protecting me."
I swallowed.
"Maybe he was protecting someone else."
She closed her eyes.
"Adrian."
Evelyn remained careful.
"We need to verify the evidence and establish who was responsible."
Darlene nodded.
But her expression had changed.
The Iron Queen was gone.
Something harder had taken her place.
The following morning, Darlene called an emergency board meeting.
Adrian arrived smiling.
Until he saw Evelyn Price.
Then me.
Then the documents.
Darlene sat at the head of the table.
"Adrian."
"Sister."
She slid a folder toward him.
"Explain the Blue Lantern transfers."
He barely glanced at it.
"Old business."
"Twenty-seven million dollars."
His smile faded.
"Temporary intercompany financing."
"From a children's medical charity?"
Adrian looked toward the other directors.
"This is inappropriate."
Darlene leaned forward.
"No."
Her voice became cold.
"What's inappropriate is taking money intended for sick children and hiding it behind consulting contracts."
Adrian stood.
"I won't sit here while you—"
"Sit down."
He froze.
Darlene continued.
"Sarah Turner discovered the transfers."
Adrian's eyes moved toward me.
I held his gaze.
He said nothing.
Darlene continued.
"She died three days after requesting an independent investigation."
Adrian scoffed.
"Are you accusing me of murder?"
"No."
Evelyn answered.
"We are presenting documented financial findings and preserving evidence for appropriate authorities."
Adrian looked furious.
Then Darlene placed the insurance report on the table.
"Let's discuss my accident."
Adrian went completely still.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then he laughed.
"Really?"
Darlene watched him.
"The investigation identified possible brake tampering."
He shrugged.
"Old report."
"Father received it."
"Father received everything."
"Why was the investigation closed?"
Adrian looked toward the directors.
"This is absurd."
Darlene leaned back.
"Then you won't object to an independent review."
His smile disappeared.
The board voted to suspend Adrian from his executive duties pending investigation.
Darlene recused herself from certain decisions involving the family allegations.
An independent committee took control of the review.
Adrian walked out without saying goodbye.
But as he passed me, he leaned close.
"You think she cares about you?"
I stared.
He smiled.
"She bought you."
I said nothing.
He continued.
"Eighty-five thousand dollars."
My jaw tightened.
"That's your value."
Then he walked away.
I stood there for several seconds.
Darlene approached.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing important."
She studied me.
I looked at her.
Then said:
"Actually, I need to talk to you."
We went into her office.
I closed the door.
She looked worried.
"What happened?"
I took out my contract.
Placed it on her desk.
"I'm resigning from the personal assignment after the evidence handoff."
Her face changed.
"Why?"
"Because Adrian's right about one thing."
Darlene stiffened.
"What?"
"This started with money."
She looked down.
I continued.
"You offered me eighty-five thousand dollars because you needed someone."
"Yes."
"And I accepted because I needed money."
"Yes."
I took a breath.
"But somewhere along the way, I started caring about you."
She looked up.
The room became silent.
I continued.
"And I don't want to wonder whether you think I'm here because you're paying me."
Darlene stared at me.
For once, she had no immediate answer.
Then she whispered:
"Blake."
I shook my head.
"Don't."
She stopped.
"I have to figure out my life without your contract."
Her eyes filled.
"What about Sarah?"
"I'll cooperate with the investigation."
"And Abigail?"
"She's my daughter. I'll take care of her."
Darlene looked toward the window.
Then back at me.
"Are you leaving because you don't trust me?"
I thought.
"No."
"Then?"
"Because I want to find out whether you can trust me without buying my time."
Darlene closed her eyes.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she nodded.
"Your resignation will follow the agreement, and you'll receive compensation owed for the work completed. No penalty for leaving."
I looked at her.
"Thank you."
She smiled sadly.
"You've been the most difficult person I've hired."
"You're welcome."
I turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
"Darlene."
She looked up.
"Abigail really likes you."
Her face changed.
I continued.
"That has nothing to do with the contract."
Then I left.
Three hours later, Evelyn called me.
Her voice was urgent.
"Blake, Adrian disappeared."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"He left his apartment. His phone is off."
"Where did he go?"
"We don't know."
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
"Someone accessed the company emergency contact file containing your address."
I stared.
"Who?"
She hesitated.
"Adrian's credentials."
May you like
I ran for my truck.
Because Abigail was home.
