Chapter 11 - THE NAME BEHIND THE MONEY
Thomas arrived within minutes.
The men were gone.
Anthony refused to explain.
Marissa knew the threat had become real.
Thomas asked:
“Where did you hear the name Northbridge?”
Anthony stayed silent.
Marissa answered.
“He told me.”
Thomas looked at Anthony.
“You understand that withholding information can make this worse.”
Anthony nodded.
“I know.”
“Then cooperate.”
Anthony finally spoke.
“The Trust doesn't operate like a normal organization.”
“What does that mean?”
“They don't own companies directly.”
“They use people.”
“Who?”
“Lawyers. Executives. Politicians. Investors.”
Marissa frowned.
“Politicians?”
Anthony nodded.
“They make people dependent.”
Thomas looked at Marissa.
“This is bigger than the financial investigation.”
“I know.”
David entered the room.
“I warned you.”
Marissa turned.
“You knew about Northbridge?”
David nodded.
“I've known for years.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I wasn't sure who I could trust.”
Marissa looked at him.
“You trusted me.”
David smiled.
“You were the only person who didn't know enough to be compromised.”
The words struck her.
Marissa had spent years believing ignorance was weakness.
Now it had kept her alive.
David continued.
“The black folder contains only part of the evidence.”
Marissa looked at it.
“What is missing?”
“The ledger.”
“What ledger?”
“The ledger that connects the accounts to the people.”
Anthony whispered:
“It's gone.”
Marissa turned.
“You know where it is.”
“No.”
Eleanor entered.
Everyone became silent.
She looked at the folder.
Then at David.
“You brought him back.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“Mrs. Cole, you need to leave.”
Eleanor ignored him.
She looked at Marissa.
“You think this ends with Anthony.”
Marissa said nothing.
“It doesn't.”
“Then tell me where the ledger is.”
Eleanor smiled.
“You'll never find it.”
David stepped closer.
“You're afraid.”
Eleanor's expression hardened.
“You should be.”
David looked at Marissa.
“She knows where it is.”
Marissa turned toward Eleanor.
“Where?”
Eleanor said nothing.
Then she reached into her handbag.
Everyone tensed.
She removed a photograph.
She placed it on the table.
Marissa looked at it.
It showed a warehouse.
A number was printed on the side.
Anthony whispered:
“No.”
Marissa looked at him.
“What?”
“That place was destroyed.”
David shook his head.
“No.”
He turned the photograph over.
A handwritten message was visible.
Marissa read it.
The ledger never left Manhattan.
She looked at Eleanor.
“You kept it.”
Eleanor smiled.
“You have no idea what you're asking for.”
Marissa stepped closer.
“I am asking for the truth.”
Eleanor whispered:
“Sometimes the truth costs more than money.”
Marissa looked at the black folder.
“Then I'll pay.”
Eleanor's smile disappeared.
That night, Marissa drove to the warehouse.
The building looked abandoned.
The doors were locked.
The windows were dark.
But inside, a light was visible.
Someone was waiting.
Marissa stepped forward.
The door opened.
A woman stood inside.
She looked at Marissa.
May you like
Then smiled.
“You finally came.”
