Chapter 12 - The Archive
Midland Security called Richard at 2:13 that afternoon.
The archived footage had been located.
There was a problem.
Someone had attempted to cancel the retrieval request using Bellmont Bakery administrative credentials.
Richard’s blood ran cold.
“Who?”
The security representative could not identify the individual yet.
But the login had come from the original Bellmont Bakery location.
Richard drove there immediately.
Claire’s office door was locked.
She was gone.
He called her.
No answer.
He called again.
Straight to voicemail.
Vanessa watched from behind the counter.
“Is everything okay?”
Richard ignored the question.
He entered Claire’s office using a master key.
Her computer was still on.
The browser history had been cleared.
But a yellow sticky note sat beside the keyboard.
On it was an old account number for Midland Security.
Richard took a photograph.
His hands began to shake.
For thirteen years, he had believed he had made a painful but responsible decision.
Grace had stolen.
He had fired her.
End of story.
Now every detail looked different.
The archive arrived through an encrypted link three hours later.
Richard called Margaret.
“Mom.”
“Did you get it?”
“Yes.”
“Watch it.”
“I’m afraid to.”
Margaret was silent.
Then she said.
“You should be.”
Richard opened the files.
Camera One showed the front entrance.
Camera Two showed the kitchen.
Camera Three showed the office hallway.
At 8:17 p.m., Grace entered the office.
At 8:19, she left carrying a clipboard.
Exactly as she had claimed.
Richard closed his eyes.
Then he opened Camera Four.
The loading dock.
At 10:46 p.m., nearly three hours after Grace had gone home, a car entered the rear parking area.
Daniel Mercer got out.
Claire Dalton emerged from the passenger side.
Daniel carried a black duffel bag.
Claire unlocked the bakery’s back door.
They disappeared inside.
Twenty-one minutes later, they returned.
Daniel was still carrying the bag.
But now it was visibly heavier.
Richard stared at the screen.
Then Claire turned toward the camera.
Her face was perfectly clear.
May you like
Richard whispered one word.
“God.”
