Chapter 7 - Northstar Residential Holdings
The company called Northstar existed only on paper.
Connor’s attorney, Elena Ward, discovered it had been formed eight months earlier through a registered agent in Delaware. Its ownership was concealed behind two additional companies.
One of those companies had connections to Mercer Urban Development.
Dylan’s employer.
Mercer Urban had been trying to purchase Connor’s land for nearly three years.
Connor had rejected its latest offer of $8.4 million.
Elena spread the documents across the dining table.
“They couldn’t force you to sell,” she said. “So they created a company to receive the property through a fraudulent transfer.”
Amy sat beside Frederick’s portable crib.
“What happens after the transfer?”
“Northstar sells the land to Mercer Urban. The house is demolished, the property is divided, and everyone involved gets paid.”
Connor examined the forged medical declaration.
“Why the life insurance?”
Elena’s expression became grave.
“That is what worries me.”
Connor looked at Amy.
She was already thinking the same thing.
If Connor challenged the transfer, he became a problem.
If Connor died after being declared mentally unstable, Teresa could claim he had made irrational decisions before his death. Northstar would retain the property, and the insurance money would cover legal costs.
Elena pointed toward Dr. Voss’s signature.
“We need proof this declaration was falsified.”
Connor called the doctor’s office.
Dr. Voss was unavailable.
His receptionist claimed he had left the country for a medical conference.
“When does he return?” Connor asked.
“She didn’t know,” Elena said after the call ended. “Which means he probably isn’t at a conference.”
Amy held Frederick closer.
The police had not yet returned the medicine test.
Connor had changed every lock, disconnected the electronic security system, and hired two guards. Still, the house no longer felt safe.
Every room seemed to contain evidence of intrusion.
A moved photograph.
A missing folder.
A drawer that did not close properly.
Amy entered the nursery and found a small camera hidden inside a stuffed bear Teresa had given Frederick.
Connor removed the memory card.
The camera had recorded the crib for weeks.
Most of the footage showed Amy caring for the baby.
But on three nights, a figure entered after midnight.
Teresa.
She stood beside Frederick’s crib, made phone calls, and photographed documents Amy had left on the dresser.
On the most recent recording, Teresa spoke clearly.
“He trusts the wife more than expected.”
A man answered through her phone.
“Then make her look unstable too.”
“What about the child?”
“A sick baby creates pressure. Use it.”
Connor stopped the recording.
Amy covered her mouth.
Elena copied the file immediately.
“This proves conspiracy,” she said.
“Not enough,” Connor replied. “We need the person giving orders.”
The camera did not capture the voice clearly enough for identification.
Connor watched Teresa’s face on the screen.
She looked nervous, not powerful.
The anonymous message had been correct.
Teresa was involved, but she was not in charge.
Frederick stirred.
Amy reached into the crib and touched his hand.
Connor’s phone rang.
It was the police laboratory.
The medicine bottle contained the correct antibiotic, but it had been diluted with a sugary liquid. The dose Amy had given Frederick was not dangerous, but it was too weak to treat his infection.
Someone had wanted the baby to remain sick.
The officer asked whether Connor knew anyone with access to the medicine.
Connor looked at the hidden camera.
“Yes,” he said. “I know exactly who had access.”
Before he could provide Teresa’s name, a guard rushed into the room.
“Mr. Hale, there’s a man at the gate.”
Connor checked the security monitor.
Nathan stood outside in the rain.
He held no coat, no phone, and no weapon.
His face was bruised.
May you like
He looked directly at the camera.
“Connor,” he said, “do not call Mom. She thinks I’m dead.”
