Chapter 10 - THE ORIGINAL LIE
The first file was an audio recording.
The voice belonged to Evelyn Cross.
Julian’s mother.
“My name is Evelyn Cross. If either of my children hears this someday, I’m sorry.”
Julian closed his eyes.
Rachel grabbed his hand.
Evelyn continued.
“Richard has been moving money through shell companies for years.”
Naomi looked toward Marcus.
Rosewood.
“Some of it is illegal political money. Some is hidden from business partners. Some I don’t understand.”
A pause.
“I confronted him.”
Julian whispered, “Mom…”
“He told me I was confused. Then he told me nobody would believe a housewife over Richard Cross.”
Rachel’s hand tightened around her brother’s.
“There is an attorney helping him. Gordon Pike.”
Marcus sat straighter.
Evelyn’s breathing sounded shaky.
“I copied what I could. If something happens to me…”
Julian abruptly stood.
“No.”
Rachel looked up.
“Julian.”
“No.”
He walked away from the table.
Their mother had died in what everyone called an accidental medication interaction.
Naomi already knew where his mind had gone.
So did Rachel.
The recording continued.
“If something happens to me, do not assume it was an accident.”
Julian slammed the laptop shut.
Silence.
Nobody moved.
Then Rachel said softly, “Open it.”
Julian shook his head.
“Open it.”
“I can’t.”
“You have to.”
He looked at her.
Rachel’s eyes were wet.
“I’ve spent eleven years wondering if I imagined how scared she was.”
Julian sat down again.
Marcus reopened the laptop.
The next files contained spreadsheets.
Bank transfers.
Names.
Dates.
Payments to Rosewood.
Payments from Rosewood.
Gordon Pike appeared repeatedly.
Richard Cross appeared through trusts.
But Vanessa’s name did not.
Because Vanessa had not yet met Julian.
Naomi leaned back.
“So Vanessa discovered an existing system.”
Marcus nodded.
“And used it.”
Rachel frowned.
“For the charity theft?”
“Yes.”
Julian stared at the numbers.
“She wasn’t just stealing from me.”
“No,” Naomi said. “She was hiding inside an old laundering network.”
Rachel looked horrified.
“And Dad knew?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Marcus pointed at one transaction.
“Wait.”
Payment date: three days after Rachel’s crash.
Amount: $300,000.
Recipient: G. Pike Consulting.
Memo: Risk Resolution.
Julian’s face turned gray.
Rachel whispered, “Risk resolution?”
Nobody answered.
Then Julian’s phone rang.
Richard Cross.
Nobody spoke.
The name glowed on the screen.
Julian answered on speaker.
“Dad.”
Richard’s voice was calm.
“Where are you?”
“At Rachel’s.”
A pause.
“I see.”
Julian looked at Naomi.
Richard continued.
“I assume she showed you Evelyn’s files.”
Rachel’s mouth fell open.
Julian stood.
“You knew?”
“I knew your mother kept copies.”
“You knew?”
“Julian, there are things about the company you don’t understand.”
“My mother said she was afraid of you.”
Silence.
Then Richard sighed.
“Your mother was unwell.”
Rachel’s face twisted.
“No, she wasn’t.”
Richard’s voice hardened.
“Rachel, do not involve yourself.”
She stood.
“You mean like last time?”
Another pause.
Julian stared at the phone.
“Dad, who cut Rachel’s brakes?”
Richard didn’t answer.
“Who cut her brakes?”
Richard finally said, “Come to the house.”
“No.”
“Julian.”
“Answer me.”
“Not over the phone.”
Naomi mouthed: Don’t go.
Julian ignored her.
Richard said, “You want the truth? Come alone.”
Rachel shook her head violently.
Julian looked at Naomi.
Naomi already knew what he was thinking.
He wanted answers.
And angry people often confused answers with closure.
Richard added one final sentence.
“Because if Vanessa has started talking, you are in far more danger than you realize.”
May you like
Then the line went dead.
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