Chapter 5 - The Locked Office
Naomi arranged for a forensic accountant named Daniel Cross to examine the company’s financial records.
Daniel discovered that Richard had moved eighteen million dollars through fake consulting agreements. The money traveled from Whitmore Aeronautics to Northstar, then into accounts controlled by Richard and Sabrina.
But the fraud was only part of the plan.
Richard had scheduled an emergency board meeting for the following Monday. He intended to announce that Clara was suffering from a pregnancy-related mental health crisis.
Two doctors had already prepared statements questioning her ability to make business decisions.
Both doctors had received payments from Northstar.
“He’s building a case that you’re unstable,” Naomi explained.
Clara sat in her father’s former study, surrounded by shelves of aviation books.
“What happens after the board meeting?”
“He takes temporary control. Then he uses the forged authorization to make it permanent.”
“And my baby?”
Naomi hesitated.
“We found a draft custody petition.”
Clara stopped breathing for a moment.
The petition claimed that she was emotionally unpredictable and posed a risk to her unborn child. It requested that Richard receive sole decision-making authority after the birth.
Clara pressed both hands over her stomach.
“He planned all of this before asking me to sign.”
“Yes.”
A quiet anger replaced her shock.
“Where are the original records?”
“Richard keeps sensitive files in a private office at the company’s aviation facility. We cannot legally enter without authorization.”
“I own the facility.”
“Richard changed the access codes.”
Clara looked toward the silver model aircraft on her father’s desk.
Years earlier, Edward Whitmore had installed an emergency mechanical lock beneath the digital keypad. Only three keys existed.
One belonged to Clara.
At eleven that night, Clara and Naomi entered the aviation facility through a service entrance. Clara unlocked Richard’s private office with her father’s key.
Inside, they found paper files, external drives, and a second laptop.
One folder was labeled Project Departure.
It contained the complete plan.
Richard intended to transfer the research subsidiary to Northstar, sell it to a foreign competitor, and leave the United States with Sabrina.
Their departure was scheduled for Monday afternoon.
A private jet had already been reserved.
Clara read the passenger list.
Richard Hale.
Sabrina Vale.
Infant Hale.
Clara stared at the final name.
May you like
Sabrina had told Richard she was pregnant.
And Richard planned to abandon Clara before their own daughter was born.
