Chapter 8 - The Locked Study
Madison moved Ethan into the guest room and locked the door.
Stay here.
Ethan shook his head.
I am not a little kid.
I know.
Then let me help.
Madison looked at him.
What did Grandpa teach you?
Ethan thought.
Never trust a locked door.
Madison almost smiled.
That sounds like him.
They returned to the study.
The door was locked.
Madison looked at Ethan.
He nodded.
They searched the room.
Nothing.
Then Ethan noticed the bookshelf.
One book was upside down.
Madison pulled it.
The entire shelf shifted.
Behind it was a narrow compartment.
Inside was a metal box.
Madison opened it.
There was a key.
A photograph.
And a handwritten journal.
The first page contained only one sentence.
If you are reading this, then I failed to protect my family.
Madison swallowed.
She turned the page.
The journal described years of financial transfers.
Companies.
Accounts.
Shell corporations.
Names.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Richard Carter.
Madison stared.
No.
Ethan looked at her.
What?
Dad?
Madison continued reading.
The next pages changed everything.
Richard had not stolen the money.
He had been moving it.
But the journal never explained why.
Then she found a final note.
Richard knows where the original evidence is.
He believes hiding it will save the family.
He is wrong.
Madison closed the journal.
Ethan looked frightened.
What does it mean?
I do not know yet.
A sound came from downstairs.
Madison froze.
Someone had entered the house.
They heard footsteps.
Then a door slammed.
Madison took Ethan's hand.
Stay behind me.
They moved silently toward the hallway.
A shadow crossed the wall.
Madison waited.
The figure entered the study.
Bradley.
He was carrying a second briefcase.
Madison stepped out.
Looking for something?
Bradley froze.
You should not be here.
Neither should you.
Bradley looked at Ethan.
Where is the journal?
Madison tightened her grip.
Why do you know about it?
Bradley sighed.
Because I helped your grandfather write it.
Madison stared.
Then you know who stole the money.
Bradley looked toward the window.
Yes.
Who?
He hesitated.
Before he could answer, the lights went out.
Ethan gasped.
A second later, a loud crash came from the basement.
May you like
Bradley whispered:
They are here.
