Chapter 5 - The Man Clara Warned Him About
The man entered slowly.
He wore a dark coat and carried no visible weapon.
Behind him stood two others.
Officer Reynolds stepped forward.
“This is private property.”
The man smiled.
“I know.”
“Identify yourself.”
“Victor Hale.”
Alex felt a strange chill.
The name meant nothing.
Until Derek whispered it.
“Oh no.”
Victor looked at him.
“Hello, Derek.”
Derek backed away.
Alex noticed.
“You know him.”
Victor smiled.
“Everyone knows everyone eventually.”
Officer Reynolds demanded identification.
Victor handed him a card.
The officer studied it.
Alex watched his expression change.
“What?”
Officer Reynolds looked at Alex.
“Mr. Hale claims he represents a legal trust associated with your family.”
Alex frowned.
“Our family doesn't have a trust.”
Victor smiled.
“Not one you know about.”
Teresa stood.
“Victor, you shouldn't be here.”
“You called me.”
“I did not.”
Victor pulled out his phone.
“Would you like to hear the recording?”
Teresa went pale.
Alex stepped forward.
“Play it.”
Victor looked amused.
“You really shouldn't.”
“Play it.”
Victor pressed a button.
Teresa's voice came through.
“Victor, if Alex returns before the arrangement is complete, you need to handle it.”
Alex stared at his mother.
Teresa covered her face.
“That isn't what it sounds like.”
Victor stopped the recording.
Alex's voice became dangerously quiet.
“What arrangement?”
Victor looked toward Clara's photograph.
“That depends on whether you want the truth.”
“I do.”
“Then ask why your wife had a secret account.”
Alex froze.
“What account?”
Victor smiled.
“An account containing eleven million dollars.”
Teresa whispered.
“Victor.”
Victor ignored her.
“She moved the money three weeks before she disappeared.”
Alex shook his head.
“Clara didn't have eleven million dollars.”
Victor looked at him.
“She did.”
Derek spoke.
“She was trying to protect it.”
Victor turned.
“You've said too much already.”
Alex stepped between them.
“Where is the account?”
Victor looked at him.
“Gone.”
“Where?”
“Transferred.”
“To whom?”
Victor smiled.
“That is the question Clara wanted you to answer.”
Then Victor's phone rang.
He listened.
His expression changed.
He looked directly at Alex.
“They found the second location.”
Alex felt the room become cold.
“What location?”
Victor put his phone away.
“The place where Clara was supposed to be waiting.”
“Where?”
Victor looked toward Lily.
The little girl was clutching her doll.
May you like
Then he said something that made everyone silent.
“She wasn't alone.”
