Chapter 7 - The Man Inside Vale Industries
Ethan had worked for Adrian for eight years.
For seven of them, Adrian never once asked the name of Ethan’s father.
That was one reason Ethan survived so long.
He stayed useful.
Quiet.
Forgettable.
Exactly as Claire had done.
Two security officers entered Ethan’s office.
“Mr. Vale wants your laptop.”
Ethan closed it.
“Company policy requires a written request.”
One officer smiled.
“Mr. Vale is company policy.”
“Not according to Monday’s agenda.”
The smile disappeared.
Ethan’s phone was confiscated.
His badge was disabled.
Adrian waited inside the conference room.
“You’ve been talking to Claire.”
Ethan took a seat.
“Yes.”
Adrian appeared surprised by the answer.
“For how long?”
“Six months.”
“You helped her buy shares.”
“I connected her attorneys with shareholders willing to sell.”
“You helped her leave California.”
“I told her your schedule.”
Adrian stared at him.
“Why?”
Ethan leaned back.
“My father’s name was Thomas Cole.”
For the first time, fear replaced anger on Adrian’s face.
Ethan noticed.
“So you do know him.”
“I know what my father told me.”
“What did Malcolm tell you?”
Adrian ignored the question.
“Where is the server?”
Ethan said nothing.
Adrian leaned forward.
“Your father stole company records.”
“My father preserved evidence.”
“He disappeared with intellectual property.”
“My father disappeared because Malcolm threatened him.”
Adrian’s fist struck the table.
“Where is the server?”
Ethan smiled.
“You should ask Claire.”
Adrian stood.
Security moved toward Ethan.
Then the conference-room door opened.
Vale Industries general counsel, Monica Reyes, entered with two outside attorneys.
“Mr. Cole is leaving.”
Adrian turned.
“This is internal.”
“Not anymore.”
Monica placed a document on the table.
“A litigation hold has been issued.”
Adrian’s face darkened.
“By whom?”
“Whitmore Technology Trust.”
Ethan rose.
Monica continued.
“And if you destroy, seize, modify, or conceal any relevant records, I will personally notify federal authorities.”
Adrian looked at Ethan.
“This isn’t finished.”
Ethan picked up his coat.
“No.”
He looked Adrian directly in the eyes.
“It started before either of us was old enough to understand it.”
Outside the building, Ethan climbed into a waiting sedan.
Claire was not inside.
Rebecca was.
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
Ethan handed Rebecca a small metal key.
“What is this?”
“My father left it with me when I was fourteen.”
Rebecca examined the number engraved on it.
“What does it open?”
Ethan looked back at Vale Industries headquarters.
“A train-station locker in Baltimore.”
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“And what’s inside?”
“My father said if the Vales ever came after Eleanor’s daughter, I was supposed to give her what he hid there.”
