Chapter 4 - The Blue Folder
Margaret waited until midnight before driving to the old workshop.
The building stood behind the first Hale family home, which had remained empty since her husband’s death. Dust covered the windows, and dry leaves scraped across the driveway.
She unlocked the side door using Daniel’s brass key.
The workshop smelled of wood, oil, and years of silence.
Her husband’s tools still hung above the workbench in careful rows. Margaret ran her fingers across the scarred wooden surface and remembered how he used to repair broken furniture for neighbors without charging them.
Under the bench, she found the loose panel.
Behind it was a blue folder.
Inside were bank statements, property documents, handwritten notes, and a flash drive.
The earliest records were dated two months before her husband died.
Margaret recognized his handwriting.
Marissa has requested access to the charity reserve again. Denied.
A later note was more alarming.
Duplicate signatures found on transfer forms. Must tell Daniel privately.
At the back of the folder was a sealed letter addressed to Margaret.
She opened it with trembling hands.
Her husband had discovered that someone was using his electronic signature to approve payments. He suspected an employee but had not named Marissa directly. Before he could complete his investigation, he suffered a fatal medical emergency.
Margaret sat down heavily.
For years, Marissa had claimed that her father-in-law had personally chosen her to lead the charity division.
The documents proved the opposite.
A sound came from outside.
Headlights moved across the dusty window.
Margaret switched off her flashlight and crouched behind a storage cabinet.
The workshop door opened.
Marissa entered with a man Margaret recognized as Elliot Vale, Marissa’s older brother and the company’s financial consultant.
“You said Daniel hid it here,” Elliot whispered.
“He gave his mother a key,” Marissa replied. “We find the folder tonight, or we lose everything.”
Margaret held her breath.
They searched the workshop for several minutes.
The folder remained pressed against her chest beneath her coat.
Finally, Elliot cursed and left.
May you like
Marissa paused at the door.
“If Margaret has it,” she said, “Daniel will make sure she never gets to Cross.”
