Chapter 11 - THE FAMILY VOSS STOLE
Michael stopped visiting Voss.
Then went back the next morning.
Daniel called it weakness.
Walter told him not to.
"You don't get to choose which father he grieves."
Daniel hated that Walter was right.
Voss explained he had stayed with June for fourteen years.
Their marriage was legally fraudulent but emotionally real enough to damage everyone.
June eventually learned Thomas had been living as Paul Mercer.
She met Thomas secretly in 1991.
Thomas asked to see Michael.
June agreed.
Then Thomas did not show.
Michael interpreted that as cowardice.
Margaret later corrected the story.
Thomas had arrived.
He watched Michael from across a park.
Michael was laughing with Voss.
Thomas left.
He wrote June that night:
He has a father. I would only be arriving to prove that father is a lie.
Michael read the line twice.
Then tore the copy in half.
"That wasn't his decision."
Walter nodded.
"No."
"He doesn't get credit for abandoning me politely."
"No."
Michael looked surprised.
Walter refused to turn Thomas into a saint merely because Thomas had suffered.
That was when Michael began trusting him.
Meanwhile, Emily discovered Harrison's had been receiving small consulting payments from a Crewe subsidiary.
Richard admitted he had reported the names of elderly veterans who attended commemorative events.
He had never asked why.
"I needed the money."
Emily said, "So did Walter."
Richard looked at her.
She continued, "He didn't sell you."
Richard resigned before the owners could fire him.
He left without asking forgiveness.
Walter respected that more than an apology designed for an audience.
Then Crewe Security's headquarters was emptied overnight.
May you like
Alan Crewe had disappeared.
