Chapter 7 - THE SECRET BEHIND THE FOUNDATION|
Audrey read the sentence again.
The baby was never part of the plan.
For several seconds, she could not hear the conversation around her.
Miriam took the photograph.
“Where did you get this?”
“Eddie found it in the security office.”
Miriam examined the handwriting.
“Do you recognize it?”
Audrey nodded.
“Celeste's.”
Eddie leaned forward.
“Are you certain?”
“She wrote notes for Ronin's meetings. I saw her handwriting on his desk.”
Miriam placed the photograph inside a protective sleeve.
“This could be a threat. We need to know what it means.”
Audrey looked at Eddie.
“Has anyone been near my medical records?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Find out.”
He nodded.
The following morning, Audrey received a call from her obstetrician.
“Mrs. Keane, I need to ask you something about your recent appointments.”
Her heart tightened.
“What is it?”
“Someone called our office last week requesting your medical information. They claimed to be from your husband's security team.”
“Did you give them anything?”
“No. Our staff refused.”
“Who called?”
“They gave the name Victor Lane.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
Victor had known about the pregnancy. He had known about her appointments. And someone had photographed her outside the clinic.
She called Miriam immediately.
By noon, they had obtained a list of attempted medical-record requests. Three had been made over two months, all through people connected to Ronin's companies.
Miriam looked troubled.
“This is no longer just financial fraud.”
“What do you think they're planning?”
“I don't know. But someone is gathering information about your child.”
Audrey's phone rang.
Ronin.
She answered.
“What?”
His voice was low.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere you can't order me around.”
“I want to see you.”
“You can speak through my attorney.”
“This isn't about the gala.”
“Then what is it about?”
A pause.
“Celeste is missing.”
Audrey said nothing.
“She left the estate this morning. Her car was found abandoned near the marina.”
“Have you called the police?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who I can trust.”
Audrey almost laughed.
“You're asking me?”
“I know how this sounds.”
“You know how it looks too.”
“Listen to me. Celeste had the original transfer records. If she gives them to the wrong people, everyone involved is in danger.”
“Then perhaps you should have thought about that before bringing her to a public gala.”
Ronin exhaled.
“Audrey, I never intended for you to be humiliated.”
“But you intended to bring her.”
“I had reasons.”
“Your reasons have become the excuse for everything.”
He went quiet.
Then he said something she had not expected.
“Someone has been using your name to authorize payments I never approved.”
Audrey stared at the wall.
“You're telling me you didn't know about the forged signatures?”
“I knew about the transfers. I didn't know your signature had been used.”
“Why were the transfers made?”
“Celeste told me they were payments to protect the foundation.”
“From what?”
“From an investigation.”
Audrey felt her stomach turn.
“An investigation into what?”
Ronin hesitated.
“An old shipping operation.”
“Were the funds illegal?”
“Yes.”
The admission landed like a stone.
“Did you use the foundation?”
“I didn't authorize it.”
“But you knew.”
“I suspected.”
“And you said nothing.”
“I was trying to contain it.”
Audrey looked at the photograph again.
“The baby was never part of the plan. What does that mean, Ronin?”
Silence.
Then his voice changed.
“Where did you get that?”
“Answer me.”
“I need to see the photograph.”
“No.”
“Audrey, listen carefully. Do not go near Celeste. Do not trust Victor. And do not let anyone take you to the estate.”
“Why?”
“Because the people behind this believe your child is the only thing standing between them and control of the foundation.”
The call ended.
Audrey looked at Miriam.
“Find Celeste.”
Miriam nodded.
Then Eddie's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds before turning pale.
“Mrs. Keane,” he said. “We've found her.”
“Where?”
“At the marina.”
“Is she alive?”
Eddie swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Then what's wrong?”
May you like
He looked directly at Audrey.
“She has been shot.”
