Chapter 6 - THE ESCAPE
Ethan pulled Claire toward the kitchen.
They moved quickly through the crowded restaurant.
Claire's heels struck the tiled floor.
"Where are we going?"
"Parking garage."
"Who are those men?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying again."
Ethan stopped.
"I swear I don't know."
They reached the service entrance.
A chef shouted as they passed.
Outside, cold night air hit Claire's face.
Ethan unlocked a black sedan.
Claire hesitated.
"I don't know if I should trust you."
"You shouldn't."
The honesty surprised her.
"But right now, you have to decide."
Claire got inside.
Ethan drove away.
For several blocks, neither spoke.
Then Claire looked at him.
"Tell me everything."
Ethan kept his eyes on the road.
"My father has a private investment fund."
"I know."
"Someone transferred thirty million dollars from it."
Claire stared at him.
"Thirty million?"
"Yes."
"Why would they blame you?"
"Because the transfer was made using credentials only three people had."
"Your father."
"My chief financial officer."
"And you."
Claire looked out the window.
"Who is the CFO?"
"Marcus Vale."
The name meant nothing to her.
Ethan continued.
"Marcus has worked for my father for fifteen years."
"Then why suspect you?"
"Because the money went into an account connected to me."
Claire turned sharply.
"Was it your account?"
"No."
"Then whose?"
Ethan's hands tightened around the steering wheel.
"That's what I've been trying to find out."
His phone rang.
He answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
"Mr. Cole, you need to come home."
"Who is this?"
"Your father."
Ethan's face changed.
"My father?"
May you like
The woman replied.
"He knows about Claire."
