Chapter 9 - The Papers Behind the Map
Marissa waited until the estate became quiet.
Grant left for a late meeting with Victor. Sloane went upstairs after locking the study door.
At two in the morning, Marissa used the spare key she had taken from Grant’s desk.
The recorder remained inside her coat.
She entered the study, moved the antique map and opened the safe.
The Larkspur contracts were stacked inside a leather folder.
She photographed every page.
Sloane and Marissa had received a combined total of $742,000 over eighteen months. The payments increased after each incident used to question Elena’s judgment.
A smaller ledger documented payments to a physician, two household employees and a former hotel security supervisor.
Then Marissa found the Northstar agreement.
A handwritten note from Victor was attached to the final page.
Once E signs, initiate Phase Two. Remove G after transaction.
Grant believed he would receive twenty-four million dollars and a permanent executive position.
Victor intended to discard him too.
Marissa photographed the note.
She reached for the envelopes bearing Elena’s and Ava’s names.
The study light switched on.
Sloane stood in the doorway.
“What are you doing?”
Marissa turned slowly.
“I needed to know whether Ava was right.”
“Put everything back.”
“Victor is using us.”
“He is paying us.”
“He is preparing to blame us.”
Sloane walked toward the safe.
Marissa held up the new confidentiality agreement.
“Read the liability clause.”
“I already read it.”
“Then you know.”
“I know Grant promised to protect us.”
“Victor plans to remove Grant after the merger.”
Sloane stopped.
Marissa showed her the handwritten note.
For the first time, fear entered Sloane’s face.
“He said Phase Two meant restructuring.”
“It means Grant is next.”
Sloane took the page.
Her eyes moved across Victor’s handwriting again and again.
“We should tell Grant.”
“Grant already planned to let us take responsibility for what happened to Elena.”
“That is not true.”
“He made you sign statements. He recorded instructions nowhere. He put every payment in our names.”
Sloane sank into Grant’s chair.
Marissa removed the two envelopes marked for the twins.
Inside Elena’s envelope was a copy of Richard’s original will. It left operational control of Hartwell Grand to Victor until Elena turned forty.
The document had been revoked.
A handwritten letter from Richard was attached.
Victor has been moving company funds through Northstar intermediaries. Elena must receive control immediately. Julian has the evidence. Trust no medical claim made on Victor’s recommendation.
Marissa stared at the last sentence.
Richard had anticipated the exact method Victor later used.
Ava’s envelope contained photographs of Victor meeting secretly with Grant before Richard’s death.
The third envelope remained in the safe.
E.H.
Marissa reached for it.
Sloane grabbed her wrist.
“Leave that one.”
“Why?”
“Victor told Grant never to open it.”
“That is exactly why we need it.”
Footsteps sounded outside the study.
Grant had returned.
Sloane pushed the documents into Marissa’s hands.
“Go through the service door.”
Marissa looked at her.
“Are you coming?”
Sloane glanced toward the hallway.
Years of loyalty, fear and resentment crossed her face.
Then she closed the safe and replaced the map.
“Not yet.”
The main study door opened as Marissa slipped through the hidden service passage.
Grant entered.
He saw Sloane standing beside the desk.
“What are you doing awake?”
“I heard a noise.”
“Where is Marissa?”
“In bed.”
Grant studied her face.
“Did she open the safe?”
“No.”
He walked toward the map.
Sloane moved between him and the wall.
“You said Victor guaranteed our positions.”
“He did.”
“What is Phase Two?”
Grant became still.
“Where did you hear that?”
Sloane realized from his expression that he already knew.
Marissa had been correct.
Grant stepped closer.
“Did you read the Northstar file?”
“No.”
“Sloane.”
She looked at the brother she had defended through every lie.
For the first time, she wondered whether he had ever considered her family at all.
Grant pushed past her and opened the safe.
The envelopes were gone.
His face changed.
He took out his phone and called hotel security.
“Marissa stole confidential documents,” he said. “Find her before she reaches Elena.”
In the service corridor, Marissa heard the estate alarms activate.
She ran toward the rear exit with the papers hidden beneath her coat.
At the end of the corridor, the door opened.
May you like
Victor Hale stood on the other side.
“You have something that belongs to me,” he said.
