Chapter 11 - The Man Who Wanted Revenge
Adrian Cross removed his fedora and placed it on the interview table.
For the first time since Richard had met him, the young man looked uncertain.
Detective Monroe folded her arms.
"Mr. Cross, you have been assisting this investigation as an independent witness."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
"Is there something you neglected to disclose?"
"Yes."
Richard stared at him.
"How much?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Then he reached into his jacket and removed a second phone.
It was black, inexpensive, and scratched along one side.
He placed it on the table.
Monroe looked at it.
"What is that?"
"The phone I used to contact Leonard."
Richard went still.
"You contacted him?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Six months ago."
"Why?"
Adrian looked directly at Richard.
"Because I wanted him to destroy himself."
Monroe leaned forward.
"Explain."
Adrian clasped his hands.
"Leonard had spent years hiding behind other people's names."
"He moved money through foundations, used vulnerable families, and controlled Richard through trust and routine."
Richard didn't interrupt.
Adrian continued.
"I had evidence of the financial crimes, but I couldn't prove the connection to Elizabeth's death."
"So you approached Leonard?" Monroe asked.
"Under another identity."
"What identity?"
"A private investor interested in buying distressed Whitmore assets."
Richard frowned.
"That was you?"
Adrian nodded.
"Leonard believed Whitmore Holdings was vulnerable."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"It wasn't."
"Not financially."
Adrian looked toward him.
"But personally, you were isolated."
Richard said nothing.
Adrian continued.
"Leonard wanted control of the company."
"I convinced him there was a faster way."
Monroe's pen stopped.
"Did you suggest the marriage?"
Adrian hesitated.
"Leonard already had Vanessa in mind."
"That wasn't my question."
Adrian looked down.
"I suggested that a public scandal could weaken Richard's position with the board."
Richard felt anger rise through him.
"The wedding."
Adrian nodded.
"I encouraged Leonard to make the pregnancy part of the plan."
Monroe stared at him.
"You knowingly encouraged a fraud involving an eighteen-year-old woman?"
"Yes."
"And a six-year-old child?"
Adrian looked pained.
"I didn't intend Lily to be involved."
Richard struck the table with his palm.
"She was involved."
Adrian flinched.
Richard leaned closer.
"You watched her cry."
"I know."
"You watched her stand in front of two hundred people."
"I know."
"And you smiled."
Adrian closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Richard's voice trembled.
"Why?"
Adrian looked up.
"Because Leonard's entire scheme had just collapsed."
He swallowed.
"Because I thought Elizabeth was finally getting justice."
Richard stared at him.
"At the expense of her daughter?"
Adrian had no answer.
Monroe turned toward him.
"Did you arrange for Daniel to be confined in the estate?"
"No."
"Did you know Leonard intended to do it?"
"Not until three days before the wedding."
"Why didn't you contact the police then?"
"I was trying to get him out."
"Why not involve law enforcement?"
Adrian hesitated.
"I didn't trust that the operation would remain confidential."
Monroe's expression hardened.
"That decision endangered both children."
Adrian looked down.
"I know."
Richard pushed back his chair.
"I can't listen to any more of this."
He headed toward the door.
Adrian spoke.
"Richard."
He stopped.
"Elizabeth would have believed Lily."
Richard closed his eyes.
Adrian continued.
"She would have stopped the ceremony before Lily ever needed that needle."
Richard turned.
"I know."
His voice was quiet.
"That's what I have to live with."
He walked out.
In the hallway, he found a message from the hospital.
Lily had completed her examination.
The doctor recommended follow-up care for her facial injury and emotional well-being.
There was also a message from the child-protection specialist.
Lily has asked whether her father is angry with her.
Richard sat down on a bench.
He read the sentence again.
Then he called the hospital.
When the specialist answered, Richard's voice shook.
"I need to know what Lily wants."
The woman paused.
"She wants to feel safe."
Richard covered his eyes.
"I know."
"She has said she's frightened that telling the truth will make you angry again."
Richard felt tears sliding down his face.
"I understand."
"Mr. Whitmore, we're arranging a safety plan."
"Whatever she needs."
"We'll discuss contact, supervision, and follow-up services with you."
Richard nodded even though she couldn't see him.
"I'll cooperate."
After the call ended, he sat alone for several minutes.
He wanted forgiveness.
But forgiveness wasn't something he could demand.
It wasn't something he could buy.
And it wasn't something a six-year-old should have to provide to make her father feel better.
He had to become safe whether she forgave him or not.
When he returned to the interview room, Adrian was still there.
Monroe had confiscated his phone for examination.
Margaret sat against the far wall.
Richard approached Adrian.
"Did Elizabeth know what kind of man you were becoming?"
Adrian looked up.
"What?"
"Did she know you would use people to get revenge?"
Adrian's face tightened.
"I wanted justice."
"Then why does everyone around you keep getting hurt?"
The question silenced him.
Richard sat down.
"Tell the detective everything."
Adrian nodded.
"I will."
"Every message."
"Yes."
"Every meeting."
"Yes."
"Every lie."
Adrian looked at him.
"Even if it means I'm charged?"
Richard held his gaze.
"Especially then."
Monroe opened a fresh notebook.
Adrian began describing the six months of contact with Leonard.
The false investment proposal.
The forged identities.
The meetings.
The financial transfers.
Then he mentioned a name that made Margaret sit forward.
"Victor Mercer."
Richard frowned.
"Who?"
Margaret looked pale.
"Victor Mercer is chairman of the Whitmore Foundation's oversight committee."
Adrian nodded.
"He financed Leonard's operation."
Richard stared.
"Victor has been my friend for thirty years."
Adrian looked at him sadly.
"That's why Leonard trusted him."
Monroe leaned forward.
"Where is Mercer now?"
Adrian hesitated.
"That's the problem."
"What problem?"
"He knows the wedding failed."
Richard felt cold.
Adrian continued.
"And he knows Nora has been arrested."
Monroe stood.
"Does he have access to any of the witnesses?"
Adrian looked toward Richard.
"He's listed as an authorized visitor for Lily's hospital room."
Richard was already on his feet.
His phone began ringing.
The hospital.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
A woman's frightened voice came through.
"Mr. Whitmore, this is Nurse Collins."
Richard felt his heart stop.
"What's wrong?"
"There's a man here asking to take your daughter."
Richard began moving toward the door.
"Don't let him near her."
The nurse swallowed.
"He says he's her grandfather."
Richard froze.
Lily's biological grandparents had both died before she was born.
"He's lying."
A crash sounded through the phone.
Then Lily's voice.
"Daddy!"
May you like
Richard shouted her name.
The line went dead.
