Chapter 10 - THE FRAME
The next morning, federal agents searched Emma's apartment.
She cooperated.
Every drawer.
Every closet.
Every computer.
Nothing.
Then an agent found an envelope hidden beneath the bedroom floorboard.
Emma stared.
"I've never seen that."
Inside were bank statements.
Her name.
Her signature.
Millions of dollars.
Sarah immediately examined them.
"The signatures are fake."
The agent frowned.
"How can you prove it?"
"Emma's handwriting samples."
They compared them.
The differences were obvious.
But the evidence looked convincing.
Emma was taken in for questioning.
Hours passed.
She sat alone in a white room.
A detective entered.
"We don't think you designed the scheme."
Emma looked up.
"But you think I helped."
"We think someone used you."
"Who?"
The detective placed a photograph on the table.
Daniel.
"He's cooperating."
Emma's heart stopped.
"What?"
"He says you knew about the accounts."
"He's lying."
"He says you helped move money."
Emma stared at the photograph.
"Where is he?"
"Federal detention."
"Then bring him here."
The detective left.
Minutes later, Daniel entered.
His face looked exhausted.
Emma stood.
"You betrayed me."
Daniel shook his head.
"I didn't."
"You told them I knew."
"I told them what they wanted to hear."
"Why?"
"Because they threatened to charge my mother."
Emma stopped.
"Your mother?"
"She's alive."
Emma's eyes widened.
She had believed Daniel's mother died years ago.
"Where is she?"
"Hidden."
"By whom?"
"My father."
Daniel sat down.
"He has been using her as leverage for years."
Emma stared.
"So you're still protecting him."
"No."
"Then tell me everything."
Daniel looked at her.
"I discovered the frame two days ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was trying to find the person who planted the evidence."
"And?"
Daniel leaned closer.
"Victoria."
Emma shook her head.
"She's already arrested."
"She wasn't acting alone."
"Who?"
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Someone you know."
Emma's stomach dropped.
"Who?"
Daniel whispered the name.
"Your father's old attorney."
Emma froze.
The attorney who had handled her father's estate.
The man who had attended her father's funeral.
The man who had comforted her mother.
The man everyone trusted.
Daniel stood.
"He has been working with my father for twenty years."
Emma stared at him.
"Then why are you telling me?"
"Because my father is going after the last person who can expose him."
"Who?"
May you like
Daniel looked at her.
"Your mother."
