Chapter 11 - THE LETTER HER FATHER LEFT BEHINDDaniel motioned for everyone to move away from the front entrance.
Victor knocked again.
"Maya, I know you're inside."
Ellen whispered, "Don't open that door."
Daniel signaled Thomas, who had remained outside with another security officer.
Within seconds, the sound of approaching footsteps came from the alley.
Victor must have heard them.
The knocking stopped.
A vehicle engine started outside.
Thomas called Daniel.
"He escaped. We found his car abandoned two blocks away."
Daniel exhaled.
"Get the police to secure the neighborhood."
Maya looked down at the envelope.
Her father's handwriting was unmistakable.
She carefully opened it.
Inside was a letter addressed to her.
My beautiful Maya,
If you're reading this, then the people who tried to destroy our family have finally discovered that you survived.
I need you to understand something. None of what happened was your fault. Your mother and I loved you more than anything in this world.
I knew Anthony was stealing money from our company. I also knew he was willing to hurt innocent people to protect himself.
I made one terrible mistake. I trusted the wrong person.
Maya stopped reading.
Daniel stood beside her.
"Keep going."
She continued.
The original financial records are not in this building. Margaret has hidden them somewhere safe. She knows the location, but she will never reveal it unless she believes you are ready.
There is another truth. Anthony did not act alone. Someone inside my own company gave him information about our movements.
The letter ended with a name.
ELLEN BROOKS.
Maya slowly lowered the paper.
She looked at the woman who had raised her.
Ellen's face was pale.
"Maya, I can explain."
Maya stepped backward.
"Why is your name here?"
Ellen covered her mouth.
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Mrs. Brooks, what did you do?"
Ellen began crying.
"Nothing that hurt your father."
"Then tell us."
She sat down.
Years earlier, Ellen had worked as an accountant for Richard Reed's shipping company. She had been responsible for organizing payroll and maintaining financial records.
She discovered several suspicious transfers.
Anthony confronted her and threatened to expose a mistake she had made years earlier.
He forced her to provide information about Richard's schedule.
"I thought he only wanted to frighten him," she whispered. "I never imagined anyone would be hurt."
Maya stared at her.
"You gave him my father's movements?"
Ellen nodded.
"Yes."
"And you never told me?"
"I was ashamed."
Maya felt tears gathering.
"You let me believe he died in an accident."
"I was trying to protect you."
"By lying to me for seventeen years?"
Ellen had no answer.
Daniel took the letter and examined the final page.
There was another sentence written beneath the signature.
If Ellen is still alive, remember that she was threatened. But do not trust her without proof.
Maya looked at Ellen.
"Did Margaret know?"
"Yes."
"Did she forgive you?"
Ellen closed her eyes.
"She never said."
Silence filled the diner.
Then Daniel's phone vibrated.
Thomas had sent a photograph.
It showed a man entering an office building.
Maya recognized him immediately.
Samuel Whitmore.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
SAMUEL HAS BEEN SHOT. HE'S ALIVE, BUT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED YEARS AGO.
Maya looked at Daniel.
"Who would do that?"
Daniel folded the letter.
"Someone who knows Samuel was about to reveal the final piece of your father's investigation."
May you like
He turned toward the door.
"And I think I know where they're taking him."
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