Chapter 6 - The Files Inside the Fox
The memory card contained a single video.
The recording began in darkness.
A date appeared in the corner.
Four months earlier.
Then Peter’s face came into view.
He was sitting in Maisie’s nursery at Ashford Manor.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Emily, if you are watching this, something went wrong.”
Emily gripped the edge of the table.
On the screen, Peter looked exhausted. His eyes were red, and a bruise darkened the side of his jaw.
“My mother has been planning to take control of the Carter trust since before we met. I didn’t know everything when I married you. I swear I didn’t.”
Emily felt anger rising.
Even in confession, he wanted forgiveness.
Peter continued.
“She told me your father stole money from our family. She said marrying you would eventually return it. At first, I believed her.”
He glanced toward the nursery door.
“Then I found the Orison files.”
The video jumped.
Peter must have paused the recording.
When it resumed, he held up a photograph of Elaine, Daniel and Harrison.
“Your mother created something called Project Eos. Orison wanted the formula. Daniel refused to sell it after he discovered the human trials.”
Emily looked at Beck.
“Human trials?”
Beck’s face was grim.
“Unauthorized testing on trauma patients.”
On the screen, Peter continued.
“Some patients died. Helen helped hide it. Harrison tried to expose her, and she had him declared incompetent.”
Peter leaned closer to the camera.
“She says your mother is dead. I don’t believe her.”
Emily’s heart pounded.
“If you don’t believe her, why did you help?”
Peter answered the question as if he had heard it.
“I tried to leave. Helen threatened Maisie.”
Emily shut her eyes.
The video continued.
“She controls Judge Carter, Dr. Kline and Calvin Shaw. She also has someone inside your command. If I refuse, she will take Maisie and make it look legal.”
Peter held up a small paper.
“The false DNA test is part of a plan to remove you before the transfer. I’m supposed to act angry. I’m supposed to make you hate me enough to leave.”
Emily whispered, “You succeeded.”
Peter’s image trembled as he adjusted the camera.
“If I tell you directly, she’ll know. The house is monitored. Your phone is monitored. I put this card in Maisie’s fox because it is the only thing Helen never touches.”
The video skipped again.
Peter now appeared terrified.
“Monday isn’t only about property. The transfer documents include custody rights over a medical trust established in Maisie’s name.”
Emily looked at Beck.
“What medical trust?”
“I don’t know.”
Peter continued.
“Maisie inherited something through Elaine’s bloodline. Helen says the child is the key.”
The recording ended abruptly.
A second file appeared.
It was an audio recording.
Helen’s voice filled the room.
“The mother is useful only until the child’s sequence is confirmed.”
A man responded.
“What if Maisie doesn’t carry the marker?”
“Then we begin again.”
Peter spoke in the background.
“You will not touch her.”
Helen laughed.
“You married the correct woman and produced the correct child. For once in your life, Peter, be proud of your contribution.”
Emily felt physically ill.
Nora took Maisie into the adjoining room.
Beck replayed the audio.
“The man speaking with Helen is Dr. Samuel Kline.”
“My psychiatric evaluator.”
“And Orison’s former clinical director.”
Emily stood.
“We are going back to the manor.”
“We need a warrant.”
“My daughter is being discussed like laboratory property.”
“If we enter illegally, Helen can destroy the case.”
“She may be holding my mother prisoner.”
Beck’s phone rang again.
This time, he put it on speaker.
A military investigator spoke rapidly.
“Director, Colonel Ross regained consciousness. He says Major Carter must not return to Fort Halston.”
“Why?”
“He says the breach goes higher than his office.”
“Who accessed the terminal?”
Ross’s weak voice replaced the investigator’s.
“Marcus…”
“I’m here.”
“It was Evelyn.”
Beck froze.
Emily looked at him.
“Who is Evelyn?”
Ross struggled to breathe.
“Your deputy.”
A sharp alarm sounded in the background.
The line went dead.
Beck immediately dialed another number.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Emily watched him.
“You trust your deputy?”
“I did.”
His phone vibrated with an incoming message.
It contained a photograph.
Maisie sleeping in Nora’s arms in the adjoining room.
The picture had been taken seconds earlier.
May you like
Beneath it was a sentence.
Bring the card to Ashford Manor before midnight, or the next photograph will be taken from inside the room.
