Chapter 7 - The Person Behind the Door
Daniel turned off the laptop.
Richard whispered.
“Don't move.”
Footsteps crossed the floor above them.
Slow.
Measured.
Not hurried.
Whoever had entered knew the house.
Daniel grabbed the old flashlight.
Richard pointed toward a narrow passage behind the shelves.
They moved silently.
The footsteps stopped.
A door opened.
Then someone called out.
“Richard?”
Daniel recognized the voice.
Michael.
Richard's attorney.
Richard looked at Daniel.
They waited.
Michael walked into the basement.
“Richard, I know you're here.”
Silence.
Michael sighed.
“You're making this harder than it needs to be.”
Daniel stepped from behind the shelves.
Michael froze.
“You.”
Michael looked at Richard.
Then back at Daniel.
“You shouldn't have come here.”
Daniel held up the notebook.
“You know what this is.”
Michael's expression changed.
“I know what it looks like.”
“Then explain it.”
Michael shook his head.
“I can't.”
“Can't or won't?”
Michael looked toward the stairs.
“You need to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because Rebecca isn't the person you should be afraid of.”
Daniel stared.
“Who should I be afraid of?”
Michael hesitated.
“Your father.”
Richard stepped forward.
“Michael.”
Michael looked at him.
“You had years to tell them.”
“I was trying to protect them.”
“You always say that.”
Michael's voice softened.
“I didn't know how far she had gone.”
Daniel looked between them.
“What did Rebecca do?”
Michael said nothing.
Richard did.
“She found the old accounts.”
Daniel turned toward him.
“What old accounts?”
“The ones James created.”
“And the money?”
Richard nodded.
“Some of it was never supposed to exist.”
Michael interrupted.
“And now someone wants it back.”
Daniel frowned.
“Who?”
Michael looked at the notebook.
“That's the problem.”
He reached for it.
Daniel stepped back.
Michael stopped.
“Your name is on the list because someone wants you to take the fall.”
“Rebecca?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Michael looked toward the stairs.
“We need to get out before they arrive.”
A loud crash came from upstairs.
May you like
Michael's face went pale.
“They're already here.”
