Chapter 2: The Evidence In The Envelope
Nobody spoke after Richard’s accusation.
The silence was worse than shouting.
I could hear the air conditioning above us. I could hear someone breathing heavily across the table. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding against my ribs.
“Richard,” Susan finally said, standing slowly, “you need to explain exactly what you are accusing Henry of.””
Richard looked at her.
“I will.””
Then he looked back at me.
“But first, I want to know something.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Henry, did you really believe I was dead?””
I forced myself to remain calm.
“Of course I did. Everyone did.””
A faint smile crossed his face.
“That’s interesting.””
“Why?””
“Because the accident was never supposed to be fatal.””
The room shifted.
“What does that mean?”” Martin asked.
Richard reached for the envelope.
“It means someone tampered with my vehicle.””
My fingers tightened.
Richard opened the envelope and removed several photographs.
He placed them on the table.
The first showed his black Mercedes after the crash.
The second showed a damaged brake system.
The third showed a report from a private investigator.
“The brakes were intentionally damaged,” Richard said.
Everyone looked at me.
I shook my head.
“This is ridiculous.””
Richard didn’t react.
“Is it?””
“Yes.””
“Then explain why the investigator found your access card used in the maintenance garage the night before my accident.””
A cold wave passed through me.
I looked at the photograph.
It showed a security record.
My employee ID.
My name.
A timestamp.
11:47 PM.
The room erupted.
“You were there?”” Susan asked.
“I was not.””
Richard leaned forward.
“The system says you were.””
“That system can be manipulated.””
“Convenient.””
I hated that word.
Because it sounded exactly like something Richard would say.
I stood.
“I understand everyone is shocked, but accusations are easy. Evidence matters.””
Richard smiled slightly.
“I agree.””
He tapped the envelope.
“That is why I brought evidence.””
Martin picked up one of the documents.
“This report says the investigator also found a payment trail.””
I stared at him.
“What payment trail?””
Martin looked uncomfortable.
“Money transferred to a private account connected to someone named Daniel Carter.””
My blood turned cold.
My brother.
Daniel.
A man who had not spoken to me in years.
“That has nothing to do with me.””
Richard watched my reaction carefully.
“You’re right.””
He paused.
“Maybe it doesn’t.””
That answer bothered me more than an accusation.
Because Richard was never careless.
He was always three moves ahead.
“Where have you been?”” Susan asked him.
Richard looked away.
“For six days, I was unconscious in a private hospital.””
“Why didn’t you contact us?””
“Because when I woke up, I learned someone inside this company had already announced my death.””
His eyes returned to me.
“And was preparing to take everything I built.””
Nobody defended me.
Not even the people who had voted for me.
Because they were afraid.
Afraid that they had helped a murderer rise to power.
I walked toward Richard’s wheelchair.
“I didn’t do this.””
His expression remained calm.
“Then prove it.””
“How?””
“Find out who actually tried to kill me.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You’re asking me to investigate myself?””
“No.””
Richard leaned closer.
“I’m giving you a chance.””
A chance.
That was not forgiveness.
That was a test.
Security escorted Richard out of the room.
The board members left one by one.
Nobody shook my hand this time.
Nobody called me Chairman.
An hour later, I sat alone in my office.
The city lights outside looked distant.
My career was falling apart.
My reputation was destroyed.
Then my computer screen turned on by itself.
A new email appeared.
No sender.
No subject.
Only one sentence.
*You are looking in the wrong direction, Henry.*
Below it was a photograph.
A photograph taken the night of Richard’s accident.
May you like
And standing beside his damaged car was someone I recognized immediately.
My own brother, Daniel.