Chapter 7 - SOMEONE SEARCHED HER ROOM
Adrian reached his estate before Marissa's shift ended.
Her employee locker was open.
The small lunch bag she carried every morning had been dumped onto the bench.
Her coat pockets were turned inside out.
Marissa stood in the staff room shaking with anger.
"Someone went through my things."
Adrian called security.
The hallway camera showed a man entering with a temporary contractor badge.
He wore a cap and kept his face down.
But when he left, he carried something.
Daniel's cracked phone.
Marissa stared at Adrian.
"I brought it because Naomi said your technicians might recover the photos."
"Who knew it was here?"
"You. Naomi. Graham."
Adrian added another name silently.
Richard.
Because Richard had opened her personnel file and could see her work schedule.
Security traced the badge.
Issued that morning by the executive office.
Authorized by Richard's assistant.
Adrian called police.
Richard called him first.
"You're involving detectives now?"
"Someone stole evidence from my house."
"A broken phone isn't evidence."
Adrian went still.
"I never told you what was stolen."
Richard cursed softly.
There it was.
Not proof.
Enough.
Marissa folded her arms.
"Put him on speaker."
Adrian did.
She said, "Did my husband come to you before he died?"
Richard answered after a long pause.
"Yes."
"Did you threaten him?"
"No."
"Did you pay him?"
"I offered a settlement."
"For being your nephew?"
"For keeping a complicated family issue private."
Marissa's face changed.
"My husband died thinking your family wanted him erased."
Richard snapped, "Your husband was reckless."
Adrian stepped closer to the phone.
"Careful."
Richard lowered his voice.
"You don't know what Daniel was doing in the weeks before the fall."
"Then tell me."
"He was stealing company files."
"He was copying safety evidence."
Richard laughed without humor.
"Ask Graham what else he found in Daniel's locker after the accident."
The call ended.
Marissa looked at Adrian.
"What did Graham find?"
May you like
Adrian already had his coat on.
"We're going to ask him."
