Chapter 3 - The Missing Money
Rachel spent the morning managing a charity luncheon at the community center. She tried to focus on seating charts and catering problems, but Daniel’s warning remained in her mind.
At 10:15, Owen called her.
She nearly ignored it.
Then she remembered Daniel’s unusual behavior and answered.
“Rachel, have you spoken to Daniel?”
“Not since this morning.”
“He missed an important meeting.”
“He said he was working from home.”
There was a brief silence.
“Did he tell you what he was working on?”
“No.”
Owen laughed softly.
“My brother has always enjoyed drama.”
The words made Rachel uncomfortable.
“What is happening?”
“Daniel has convinced himself there are problems in the company accounts. He’s mistaken.”
“What kind of problems?”
“Accounting mistakes. Nothing serious.”
“Then why are you calling me?”
Owen’s voice became colder.
“Because he isn’t thinking clearly, and he could damage the company our father spent his life building.”
Rachel remembered Daniel refusing Owen’s call at breakfast.
“I have to go.”
“Rachel.”
She waited.
“If Daniel gives you any documents, call me before you show them to anyone else.”
She ended the call without answering.
Across town, Daniel was sitting at the kitchen table with months of financial statements spread before him.
The numbers told a clear story.
Money had been moved from client accounts into companies that did not actually exist. Vendor invoices had been duplicated. Signatures had been copied onto loan agreements.
The trail led back to Owen.
Daniel had first noticed the missing money three weeks earlier. At first, he assumed it was a software error. Then he found transfers approved while he had been on a family vacation.
He had confronted Owen privately.
Owen denied everything.
The next day, several files disappeared from the company server.
Daniel immediately created copies and contacted an attorney. He was supposed to deliver the evidence that afternoon.
At 11:30, the doorbell rang.
Daniel checked the camera.
Owen stood on the porch holding two coffee cups.
Daniel did not open the door.
Owen looked directly into the camera.
“We need to talk before you make a mistake you can’t undo.”
Daniel pressed the intercom button.
“Leave.”
“This affects Rachel and Chloe too.”
“Do not mention them.”
“You’re about to destroy the only income your family has.”
May you like
Daniel looked at the cream envelope on the table.
“No, Owen. You already did that.”
