Chapter 5 - THE SECRET HE LEFT BEHIND|
Rowan barely slept.
By seven the next morning, her kitchen table was covered with copies of the disputed ownership filing, emails from her accountant, and a list of every person who had access to Pierce Catering's business records.
Callum arrived at eight carrying coffee and a paper bag of breakfast sandwiches.
"You look terrible," he said.
"Good morning to you, too."
"I brought food."
"Then you're forgiven for the first sentence."
He set the bag down and waited while she finished a call with her attorney.
The state filing had been challenged, and the bank had been notified that the authorization was disputed. No funds had been transferred, but the attempt had triggered a review of the company's account access.
Rowan was relieved.
She was also furious.
"Grant witnessed my signature," she said when the call ended. "I haven't seen him in eight years, and now his name appears on a document claiming I handed my business to a company I've never heard of."
Callum sat across from her.
"Have you spoken to him?"
"No."
"Would you like to?"
She looked at him suspiciously.
"Why?"
"Because you may learn something useful."
"Or he may lie."
"Both can happen."
She considered the idea.
For years, she had imagined confronting Grant and demanding to know why he had abandoned her. But she had also learned that some people could turn an honest question into a weapon.
Now she had a practical reason to speak with him.
She called his office.
His assistant answered and offered an appointment for the following week.
Rowan refused to wait.
"Tell him this concerns a fraudulent ownership filing bearing his name. If he has an explanation, he can provide it to my attorney today."
The assistant promised to relay the message.
Grant called twenty minutes later.
"Rowan, what's going on?"
"You tell me. Your name appears on a document claiming you witnessed my signature transferring sixty percent of my company to Meridian Strategic Holdings."
Silence.
Then he said, "That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because I haven't signed anything involving your company."
"Have you authorized anyone to use your name?"
"No."
"Do you know Meridian?"
"I've heard of it."
"From whom?"
He hesitated.
"From a business proposal."
"Whose proposal?"
"Someone approached my company about an investment opportunity. I rejected it."
Rowan wrote down the details.
"Did you provide them with my business information?"
"No."
"Did you provide them with my signature?"
"Absolutely not."
His voice became urgent.
"Rowan, listen to me. I know you have every reason to distrust me, but I wouldn't steal your company."
She almost laughed at the irony.
"You stole eight years of my life without giving me an explanation. Forgive me if your word isn't enough."
Grant went quiet.
Then he said something she hadn't expected.
"I didn't leave because I stopped loving you."
Rowan felt her throat tighten.
"Don't do this."
"I'm serious."
"Then tell the truth about the filing. Everything else is eight years too late."
He exhaled.
"I will speak to my attorney. I'll have my office preserve every record involving Meridian."
"Good."
"Rowan—"
She ended the call.
Callum watched her put the phone down.
"What did he say?"
"He denied authorizing the filing. He also claims someone approached his company about an investment opportunity."
"That matches information my team has."
"Do you believe him?"
"I believe the records need to be examined."
She gave him a tired smile.
"You're very careful with your answers."
"Carelessness is expensive."
She studied him.
"Is that how you built your business?"
"Partly."
"And the other part?"
He looked at her for a long moment.
"Learning what happens when you trust the wrong people."
The answer carried a weight she had never heard in his voice before.
Before she could ask more, Dominic called.
Callum listened without speaking, then stood.
"We have a problem."
"What kind?"
"The company that submitted your filing has just been linked to a second transaction involving one of my freight contracts."
"Can you stop it?"
"I'm working on it."
He picked up his coat.
Rowan rose too.
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't want you walking into a situation you don't understand."
"And I don't want you deciding what I can handle."
He stopped.
For several seconds, they stared at each other.
Then Callum nodded.
"You're right. I shouldn't make that decision for you."
She grabbed her bag.
"But we go through our lawyers, we preserve the evidence, and nobody threatens anyone."
His mouth curved slightly.
"You're making this very difficult for a man with a terrible reputation."
"Good."
They left together.
Neither noticed the black sedan parked across the street.
Inside it, a man lowered his phone after photographing them.
He sent the image to an unknown number.
The reply came seconds later.
So Voss has chosen her.
May you like
A second message followed.
Then use her to bring him down.
