Chapter 4 - The Man Behind the Curtain
Gabriel followed Cassidy’s gaze.
The upstairs curtain became still.
“Who else is inside?” he asked.
Evelyn’s answer came too quickly.
“No one.”
Cassidy looked at her.
“That curtain just moved.”
“It was the air-conditioning.”
“The windows are closed.”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re being dramatic.”
Gabriel touched his radio.
“Perimeter team, watch all exits.”
Brendan stepped forward.
“You’re not turning my mother’s home into a crime scene.”
Cassidy’s attention snapped toward him.
“Then tell me who’s upstairs.”
Brendan glanced at Evelyn.
It lasted less than a second.
But Cassidy caught it.
So did Gabriel.
Vanessa caught something else.
She looked toward Brendan.
“You told me we were alone.”
“We are.”
A noise sounded from inside the house.
A door closing.
Gabriel moved immediately.
Two security officers positioned themselves near the side path.
Another headed toward the rear garden.
Cassidy remained beneath the covered entrance.
Her wet dress clung uncomfortably to her skin.
The baby shifted again.
She placed a protective hand over her stomach.
A minute later, a man emerged from the side door carrying a briefcase.
He stopped when he saw the black SUVs.
Cassidy recognized him instantly.
Martin Vale.
Chief Financial Officer of Alder Crown Holdings.
One of the twelve people in the world with access to the most sensitive ownership structures inside the company.
Martin stared at Cassidy.
For the first time in fifteen years, Cassidy saw fear on his face.
“Cassidy.”
Brendan swore under his breath.
Vanessa turned toward him.
“You said nobody was inside.”
Martin slowly raised one hand.
“This isn’t what it looks like.”
Cassidy almost laughed.
“You’re leaving my former mother-in-law’s house carrying a briefcase while forty-seven million dollars is missing from my company.”
Martin swallowed.
“I came to discuss a financing issue.”
“With Evelyn?”
“With Brendan.”
Cassidy looked at Brendan.
He did not respond.
Gabriel approached Martin.
“Mr. Vale, company policy requires immediate surrender of corporate devices under Protocol Seven.”
Martin tightened his grip on the briefcase.
“This is personal property.”
“The laptop issued to you by Alder Crown is company property.”
“I don’t have it.”
Cassidy stared at him.
“You never go anywhere without that laptop.”
Martin’s eyes shifted.
Toward the garden.
Gabriel saw it.
“Rear team, check the grounds.”
Martin suddenly ran.
He made it three steps.
One security officer intercepted him.
There was no dramatic tackle.
No shouting.
Gabriel simply blocked the path while another officer removed the briefcase from Martin’s hand.
Martin’s shoulders collapsed.
Cassidy looked at him.
“Why?”
He gave her a hollow smile.
“You think this is about money?”
“What is it about?”
Martin glanced at her stomach.
That single movement terrified her more than anything he could have said.
Cassidy’s voice dropped.
“Look at me.”
Martin did.
“What were they planning to do to my baby?”
Evelyn spoke behind her.
“Nobody was going to hurt your child.”
Cassidy turned.
Evelyn’s face was pale now.
Not angry.
Afraid.
Cassidy stared at her.
“I never said the word hurt.”
Evelyn realized her mistake.
And Cassidy finally understood.
May you like
The forged document was not preparation for something that might happen.
It was preparation for something they intended to make happen.
