Chapter 5 - The Warehouse
The warehouse stood at the edge of the city.
Emily arrived at ten in the morning.
Callahan was already there.
The building looked abandoned.
But the lock on the side entrance was new.
Emily noticed immediately.
“Someone has been here.”
Callahan nodded.
They entered.
Dust covered the floor.
Old machinery sat beneath plastic sheets.
Callahan walked toward a metal cabinet.
“This was your father's.”
He opened it.
Inside were dozens of files.
Emily began searching.
Most contained routine business records.
Then she found a folder marked T.R.
Thomas Reed.
Inside was a handwritten statement.
Emily read it slowly.
Thomas had accused someone within Whitlock Holdings of creating false invoices.
Millions had disappeared.
But the money had not gone into an ordinary bank account.
It had been moved through several companies.
One of those companies was controlled by Eleanor.
Emily stared at the document.
“My stepmother?”
Callahan didn't answer.
Then Emily found another page.
A second signature appeared at the bottom.
Adrian's.
She looked at Callahan.
“So both of them were involved.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Then why are their names here?”
“I don't know.”
A noise came from upstairs.
Both turned.
Callahan whispered:
“Someone is here.”
They heard footsteps.
Emily's heart raced.
The footsteps stopped.
Then a voice called down.
“Emily?”
She knew that voice.
Adrian.
He appeared at the top of the stairs.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Emily stepped forward.
“Neither should you.”
Adrian descended slowly.
“I came to warn you.”
“About what?”
He looked at Callahan.
“You didn't tell her.”
“Tell me what?”
Adrian's expression changed.
“My father wasn't investigating Eleanor.”
Emily stared at him.
“Then who was he investigating?”
May you like
Adrian looked directly at her.
“You.”
