Chapter 11 - Daniel’s Signature
Daniel was released on bail before sunset.
Richard drove him directly to Rose’s house.
When he entered, Elena ran into his arms.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Daniel held her as though he feared she might disappear.
Then he noticed the letters on the table.
The photographs.
The trust agreement.
The surviving records of Nathan Ashcroft.
Richard examined the documents while Lucas explained the confrontation.
Daniel listened without interrupting.
When Lucas mentioned the final transfer, Daniel looked at Richard.
“Check the trust.”
Richard logged into the secure legal system.
The account balance appeared on the screen.
Zero.
Nearly eighty million dollars had been transferred to a foreign holding company that morning.
Daniel’s digital authorization appeared beside the transaction.
Elena stared at him.
“I know you did not sign it.”
Daniel looked at the timestamp.
The authorization occurred while he was in police custody.
“That proves it was forged.”
Richard shook his head.
“Not necessarily. The transfer used your biometric business key.”
Daniel touched the ring on his right hand.
The ring contained a security token allowing high-level corporate approvals.
“It was taken when I was arrested.”
“Did the police remove it?”
“Yes. With my watch and belt.”
Richard called the station.
After a brief conversation, his expression darkened.
“The property officer says your ring was returned.”
Daniel checked the small evidence bag.
The ring was inside.
“Then someone copied the token.”
“That should be impossible.”
Lucas leaned over the laptop.
“Unless someone had the master key.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Only Father possessed it.”
Rose spoke from the corner.
“Nathan helped design the original security system.”
Everyone turned.
She opened Nathan’s last letter again.
“He wrote that the company’s control system had two master keys. Charles held one.”
“And Nathan held the other,” Daniel said.
Rose nodded.
“After he disappeared, the key vanished with him.”
Richard examined the foreign company receiving the money.
“Holloway Meridian.”
Lucas typed the name into a corporate registry.
The owner was hidden behind several legal entities.
But one director’s name appeared.
Evelyn Ashcroft.
Elena frowned.
“I don’t know anyone named Evelyn.”
Rose’s face became pale.
“I do.”
“Who is she?”
Rose sat down slowly.
“Nathan’s first wife.”
Elena stared at her.
“My father was married?”
“They separated years before he met Anna, but I never knew if the divorce was finalized.”
Richard leaned forward.
“If Evelyn remained legally married to Nathan, she may have a claim to his estate.”
Daniel looked at the transfer.
“Could she access the trust?”
“Not without the master key.”
Elena’s voice dropped.
“Then maybe Nathan is alive.”
No one answered.
The possibility felt too large to speak aloud.
Rose walked to an old cabinet and removed another photograph.
It showed Nathan standing beside a blonde woman.
Evelyn.
Between them stood a little boy.
Elena touched the child’s face.
“Who is he?”
Rose looked at her.
“Nathan’s son.”
Elena had a brother.
Daniel turned the photograph over.
A date and name were written on the back.
Adrian Ashcroft.
Lucas stepped away from the table.
Daniel noticed.
“You know that name.”
Lucas denied it too quickly.
Daniel moved closer.
“Where have you heard it?”
Lucas swallowed.
“The caller on my phone.”
“The one listed as Ashcroft?”
Lucas nodded.
“He told me to find Rose.”
“Why?”
“He said he wanted to help Elena before Margaret destroyed the evidence.”
“Did you tell him where we were going?”
“No.”
“Did you give him information about the trust?”
Lucas looked ashamed.
“I sent him copies of the transfer statements.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“You gave a stranger access to financial evidence.”
“I thought he was Elena’s family.”
Elena held up the photograph.
“Was the man you spoke to Adrian?”
Lucas stared at the image.
“I never saw his face.”
His phone rang.
The screen displayed Ashcroft.
Daniel answered.
A man’s voice spoke immediately.
“Daniel, your mother has been lying to both of us.”
“Who are you?”
“You already know.”
“Adrian?”
The man paused.
May you like
Then he said,
“If you want Elena’s money back, bring Charles Morrison’s master key to the abandoned factory at midnight.”
