Chapter 3 - THE DEAD MAN’S FILE
Julian stared at the photograph until his eyes hurt.
His father had been dead for nine years.
Victor Laurent had been in his life for less than two.
So why were they together?
He called the number.
It went straight to voicemail.
“Who are you?” Julian asked.
No answer.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Downstairs, Detective Reed was speaking with Bianca.
Julian entered the room.
“I need to talk to you,” Reed said.
“About my father.”
Reed paused.
“What about him?”
Julian showed him the photograph.
The detective’s expression changed.
“Where did you get this?”
“My security system.”
Reed studied it.
“Your father knew Victor Laurent?”
“I thought they never met.”
“That’s not true.”
Julian stared at him.
“You knew?”
Reed sighed.
“Your father was investigating financial fraud before he died.”
“What fraud?”
“Hale Industries.”
Julian felt the room tilt.
“My father owned the company.”
“Exactly.”
Before Reed could continue, Bianca walked in.
“Julian, can we talk privately?”
“No.”
Her eyes hardened.
“You're making a mistake.”
“My mistake was trusting you.”
Bianca lowered her voice.
“You have no idea what your father did.”
“My father was a good man.”
“He wasn't.”
The words landed like a slap.
Julian stepped closer.
“What are you talking about?”
Bianca looked toward Reed.
“Ask him.”
Then she left.
Reed waited until the door closed.
“Your father believed someone inside the company was stealing money through shell companies. He was close to exposing them.”
“Who?”
“We never proved it.”
“Victor?”
“Maybe.”
Julian looked at the photograph again.
That night, he went through his father’s old study.
For hours, he found nothing.
Then he noticed a loose wooden panel behind the desk.
Inside was a metal box.
The lock opened with his father’s old watch.
Inside were bank statements, photographs, and one handwritten note.
JULIAN—
IF YOU ARE READING THIS, I FAILED TO FINISH WHAT I STARTED.
TRUST NO ONE WHO ARRIVES AFTER MY DEATH CLAIMING TO LOVE YOU.
Julian’s hands shook.
At the bottom was another sentence.
YOUR MOTHER KNOWS THE TRUTH.
He rushed upstairs.
“MOM?”
Martha was awake.
She looked terrified.
“Julian…”
“Dad said you know what happened.”
Martha’s eyes filled with tears.
“I promised him I would never tell you unless you were in danger.”
“I’m in danger now.”
She reached for his hand.
“Your father was killed.”
Julian stopped breathing.
“The police said it was a car accident.”
“It wasn't.”
“Who killed him?”
Martha looked toward the hallway.
Then she whispered:
“Someone who is still inside this house.”
A floorboard creaked outside.
Julian turned.
The door was open.
Nobody stood there.
But on the carpet was a small black glove.
Bianca always wore black gloves when she drove.
Julian picked it up.
His phone rang.
Bianca’s voice came through.
“Julian, get out of the house.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor is coming.”
May you like
A pause.
“And he isn't coming to negotiate.”
