Chapter 5 - The Missing Forty-Two Million
Forty-two million dollars.
Gone.
Not lost in the market.
Not spent.
Transferred.
My father had discovered it that morning.
By noon, he was in the hospital.
Emily and I drove to Richmond.
Derek arrived ten minutes after us.
Perfect suit.
Perfect hair.
Perfect expression of concern.
He hugged my mother.
"Margaret, I'm so sorry."
I watched him.
He looked like a devoted son-in-law.
That was Derek's greatest talent.
He could become whatever the room needed.
When my mother cried, he cried.
When doctors appeared, he asked intelligent questions.
When nurses walked past, he thanked them.
Then he saw me.
His face changed for half a second.
"Daniel."
"Derek."
Emily stayed beside me.
He noticed.
"Can I speak to my wife?"
"No," Emily said.
Derek blinked.
It was probably the first time she'd said no to him in years.
He smiled.
"Emily, don't do this here."
"I'm staying with Daniel."
His eyes moved to me.
I said nothing.
A doctor approached.
"Mrs. Harrington?"
We stood.
"Your husband is stable."
Mom nearly collapsed with relief.
"But he needs rest."
"Can we see him?"
"One at a time."
Mom went first.
Then Emily.
When my turn came, Dad looked smaller than I remembered.
But his eyes were still sharp.
"About time you came home."
I smiled.
"You always did know how to make an entrance."
He laughed weakly.
Then his expression changed.
"Derek."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
Dad reached beneath the blanket.
He handed me a key.
Small.
Brass.
"What's this?"
"Deposit box."
"Where?"
"First Commonwealth Bank."
"What am I looking for?"
"The original trust."
I frowned.
"Dad—"
He grabbed my wrist.
"Do not let Derek get it."
"Why?"
His eyes hardened.
"Because if I'm right, your brother-in-law isn't trying to steal forty-two million."
May you like
He took a shallow breath.
"He's trying to steal everything."
