Chapter 7 - THE FATHER
Richard Cole lived in a mansion overlooking the ocean.
Claire had seen photographs of it.
She had never imagined entering it under these circumstances.
The front doors opened before Ethan could knock.
A security guard stepped aside.
Inside, Richard sat beside a fireplace.
He was older than Claire expected.
His expression was calm.
Almost too calm.
"Ethan."
"Dad."
Richard looked at Claire.
"So this is Claire."
She nodded.
"Yes."
Richard gestured toward a chair.
"Sit."
Claire remained standing.
"I'd rather not."
Richard smiled faintly.
"Good."
Ethan looked confused.
Richard stood.
"If you were willing to sit quietly after what happened tonight, I'd be worried."
Claire looked at Ethan.
"Your father seems to know more than you do."
Richard's expression darkened.
"He usually does."
He walked to a desk and picked up a folder.
"Thirty million dollars disappeared from my account."
Claire listened.
"Someone used Ethan's identity."
Ethan stepped forward.
"Dad, I told you—"
Richard raised a hand.
"I know."
Claire looked between them.
"You believe him?"
Richard nodded.
"I do now."
Ethan looked stunned.
"Why?"
Richard opened the folder.
"Because I found something."
He removed a printed bank statement.
"The transfer was authorized two hours before Ethan entered the system."
Claire frowned.
"How is that possible?"
Richard looked at her.
"Because whoever did it had access to the system before Ethan did."
Claire suddenly remembered the restaurant.
The older man.
The hallway.
The mysterious account.
"Marcus Vale," she whispered.
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"You know that name?"
Claire nodded.
"Ethan mentioned him."
Richard looked at Ethan.
"Then we have a problem."
"What?"
May you like
Richard turned toward the security monitor.
Marcus Vale was standing outside the mansion.
