Chapter 10 - THE CALL FROM THE DEAD MAN'S FRIENDThe caller introduced himself as Samuel Whitmore.
He had been Richard Reed's accountant and one of the original partners in the shipping company.
Maya recognized the name from Margaret's letter.
Samuel had disappeared shortly after Richard's death.
"Where are you?" Dominic demanded.
"Somewhere your uncle can't reach me."
"Why contact me now?"
"Because I know what happened to Richard."
The call ended before Dominic could ask another question.
Daniel immediately began tracing the number.
It belonged to a prepaid phone purchased in Philadelphia.
Dominic ordered a vehicle prepared.
Maya insisted on going.
Daniel looked at her.
"You're becoming very comfortable with dangerous situations."
"I'm becoming tired of people deciding what I can handle."
He couldn't argue with that.
They traveled to Philadelphia with two security officers.
Samuel had arranged to meet them in a small restaurant near the train station.
He was an elderly man with silver hair and a nervous expression.
When he saw Maya, he stood.
"You look just like your mother."
Maya sat opposite him.
"Did you know my father?"
"Very well."
"Then tell me what happened."
Samuel opened a folder.
He explained that Richard had discovered a network of false invoices involving Anthony Moretti and Raymond Cross.
The money was being diverted through property companies and then transferred overseas.
Richard had collected evidence.
But Anthony discovered the investigation.
"He told Richard to stop," Samuel said. "Your father refused."
"What happened next?"
"Anthony arranged for the building to catch fire. He believed the records and everyone who could testify would disappear."
Maya's hands trembled.
"My mother died there."
Samuel lowered his eyes.
"Yes."
Daniel leaned forward.
"Was my father killed for the same reason?"
Samuel nodded.
"Richard was preparing to expose the entire operation. His death was meant to frighten everyone else into silence."
Dominic asked the question that had been troubling him.
"Did my father know?"
Samuel looked at him.
"Your father suspected Anthony. But he didn't have enough proof."
"Then why didn't he stop him?"
"Because Anthony threatened his family."
Samuel removed a second document.
It was a handwritten statement from Richard.
The letter explained that he had hidden the original evidence somewhere inside the property that later became the diner.
Maya looked at Daniel.
"The basement."
Samuel nodded.
"Your aunt believed that place would eventually be searched. She separated the documents and hid the most important piece somewhere nobody would think to look."
Dominic examined the letter.
"Where?"
Samuel pointed to the final paragraph.
The truth rests beneath the first promise.
Maya remembered the diner.
The building had once been a neighborhood bakery. Margaret had told her that the original owner had carved a small message beneath the counter.
Maya looked at Daniel.
"The counter."
They returned to New York that night.
The diner was closed, but Ellen was waiting inside.
She looked frightened when they entered.
"What's happened?"
Maya explained.
Ellen listened without interrupting.
Then she approached the old counter and touched a small wooden panel near the floor.
"I've known about this for years."
Maya stared.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Ellen looked down.
"Because your aunt made me promise."
She removed a small brass plate.
Behind it was a narrow opening.
Inside lay a sealed envelope.
Maya pulled it free.
The envelope bore her father's handwriting.
But before she could open it, someone struck the front door.
A second impact followed.
Ellen stepped backward.
Daniel moved toward the window.
A voice came from outside.
"Open up, Maya."
May you like
She recognized it immediately.
Victor Hail.
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