Chapter 5: The Identity They Stole
Nia sat on the edge of the hotel suite's cream-colored sofa.
Her newborn slept against her chest.
A bottle warmer hummed softly on the counter, and the curtains were drawn against the harsh desert sunlight.
The suite was beautiful.
It had sandstone walls, warm lighting, a private balcony overlooking the palm-lined courtyard, and a large soaking tub.
But Nia barely noticed any of it.
She was staring at a document on her father's phone.
Her name.
Her date of birth.
Her old address.
And a bank account she had never opened.
“Dad,” she whispered, “what does this mean?””
Malcolm sat beside her.
“It means someone used your information without your permission.””
“But why?””
“We're going to find out.””
Nia rubbed her forehead.
“I've never had an account with that bank.””
“I believe you.””
“What if they used my credit?””
“We'll have it checked.””
Nia looked at her baby.
“I don't want him growing up with problems because somebody stole my identity.””
Malcolm gently touched her shoulder.
“He won't.””
There was a knock at the door.
Emily entered carrying a small tray.
“I brought some tea, bottled water, and a little food. I wasn't sure what you preferred.””
Nia smiled.
“Thank you. That's very kind.””
Emily placed the tray on the table.
“Is the baby doing better?””
“He's sleeping now.””
“I'm glad.””
Emily hesitated.
Then she looked toward Malcolm.
“Mr. Brooks, may I speak with you?””
“Of course.””
“It's about the lobby.””
Nia sat up.
“Is something wrong?””
Emily shook her head.
“No, ma'am. I just wanted to tell you that I submitted my statement.””
Malcolm nodded.
“Thank you.””
“I included everything I saw. I also saved the incident time and the names of the security officers who were present.””
Nia looked relieved.
“I appreciate that.””
Emily lowered her voice.
“There was something else.””
Malcolm leaned forward.
“What?””
“Before Mrs. Whitmore arrived today, Mr. Collins told reception that a special guest might need assistance with a private financial arrangement.””
Malcolm frowned.
“What kind of arrangement?””
“I don't know exactly. But he mentioned that the guest's account should be connected to a personal profile.””
Nia looked confused.
“Whose profile?””
Emily shook her head.
“I couldn't hear the name.””
Malcolm looked at Angela, who had joined them by video call.
“Can you trace the account?””
Angela nodded.
“We've already contacted the bank's fraud department. The account was opened using an online application.””
“Who submitted it?””
“The initial records point to a third-party service provider.””
“Name?””
“Desert Crown Consulting.””
Malcolm looked at Nia.
It was the same company registered to Derek Collins.
Angela continued.
“The account received five deposits from hotel-related sources. The total is approximately $74,000.””
Nia's mouth fell open.
“Seventy-four thousand dollars?””
“Yes.””
“Why would anyone put money in an account under my name?””
“We don't know yet.””
Malcolm leaned back.
“Can the money be traced?””
“Some of it. The rest appears to have moved through several intermediary accounts.””
“Keep going.””
Angela nodded.
“There's another issue. The account was connected to a credit application for a luxury vehicle.””
Nia looked stunned.
“I don't own a luxury vehicle.””
Malcolm gave her a reassuring look.
“We know.””
Angela continued.
“The vehicle was leased under your identity, but the payments came from a different company.””
Nia looked down at her hands.
“I don't understand any of this.””
Malcolm gently took her hand.
“Listen to me. You did nothing wrong.””
She nodded, but her eyes filled.
“I worked so hard to get my life together. I paid off my student loans. I saved money while I was pregnant. I didn't want to depend on anyone.””
“You don't have to explain that to me.””
“I don't want people thinking I did something illegal.””
Malcolm's voice softened.
“You're my daughter. I know your character.””
Nia looked away.
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then her phone vibrated.
It was a message from an unknown number.
She opened it.
The message contained one sentence.
*Tell your father to stop investigating, or the hotel won't be the only thing he loses.*
Nia stared at the screen.
“Dad?””
Malcolm looked over.
“What is it?””
She handed him the phone.
His expression hardened.
“Angela, can you trace this number?””
“We'll try.””
“Preserve the message.””
“Already doing it.””
Nia looked frightened.
“Do you think someone is watching us?””
Malcolm took a breath.
“We're going to have security remain nearby.””
She nodded.
He stood and walked toward the balcony doors.
Outside, the desert sun was beginning to lower.
The resort courtyard looked peaceful.
Guests walked between the palm trees.
A couple laughed beside the water feature.
Somewhere below, a waiter carried a tray of drinks.
It was difficult to believe that the building was connected to a financial investigation.
But Malcolm knew better.
He had built his company by paying attention to details other people ignored.
And right now, too many details were pointing toward the same people.
Downstairs, Richard Whitmore was standing in James Bennett's office.
Vanessa sat in a leather chair, tapping her foot.
Derek stood beside the desk.
Richard had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
“Tell me exactly what happened with the account.””
Derek swallowed.
“I don't know anything about an account under her name.””
Richard slammed his palm against the desk.
“Don't lie to me.””
Vanessa jumped.
“Richard!””
He turned toward her.
“Not now.””
Derek shifted uncomfortably.
“I only handled the transfers.””
Richard stared.
“What transfers?””
“The hotel expenses. The consulting payments.””
“Who told you to do that?””
Derek looked at Vanessa.
She immediately stood.
“Don't look at me.””
Richard turned slowly.
“Vanessa?””
She crossed her arms.
“I don't know what he's talking about.””
Derek's voice became louder.
“You said the account would be temporary.””
Vanessa's face went white.
“Shut up.””
Richard stared at her.
“What account?””
She looked at her husband.
“It's not what you think.””
“Then tell me what it is.””
Vanessa swallowed.
“I was trying to help.””
“Help who?””
She hesitated.
Then she said something that made Richard step backward.
“Nia.””
Derek closed his eyes.
Richard looked confused.
“Who is Nia?””
“The girl upstairs.””
“Why would you help her?””
Vanessa looked irritated.
“Because Malcolm was becoming suspicious about the hotel accounts. Derek said we needed a clean beneficiary for some of the payments.””
Richard stared at her.
“You used that woman's identity?””
“I didn't steal anything from her.””
“You opened an account in her name?””
Vanessa's voice rose.
“I didn't personally open it!””
Derek looked at her.
“You gave me the information.””
Vanessa pointed at him.
“You told me it was legal!””
Richard ran a hand over his face.
“This is a disaster.””
Derek shook his head.
“You both approved it.””
Richard turned sharply.
“Don't drag me into this.””
Derek gave a bitter laugh.
“Your signature is on the transfer authorization.””
Richard stepped toward him.
“That signature was supposed to authorize the investment transaction.””
“Then why did the money go to your company?””
Richard froze.
Vanessa looked between them.
“What money?””
Derek pulled a folded document from his jacket.
He placed it on the desk.
“Two hundred thousand dollars was transferred to Whitmore Development Holdings.””
Richard stared at the page.
“That transfer was never supposed to happen.””
Derek shook his head.
“Then you should have checked before spending it.””
Richard's face turned red.
“You idiot.””
Derek laughed.
“I'm the idiot?””
James Bennett stood near the office door, listening.
He had come to retrieve a file but stopped when he heard the conversation.
He quietly took out his phone.
He activated the recording function.
Then he stepped into the room.
“Is there a reason you're discussing unauthorized financial transfers in my office?””
All three turned.
Richard's expression hardened.
“James, get out.””
“This is my office.””
Richard pointed toward the door.
“You're going to regret getting involved.””
James stood his ground.
“I already regret not asking more questions.””
Derek looked nervous.
“James, you don't understand.””
“I understand enough.””
Richard stepped closer.
“You have no idea how much money my company brings into this resort.””
James replied, “I know how much money your company has taken out.””
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
“We're leaving.””
Richard turned toward her.
“Sit down.””
“No.””
“Vanessa!””
She opened the door.
But two security officers were standing outside.
One of them held up a hand.
“Mrs. Whitmore, please wait.””
Vanessa stared.
“What is this?””
The officer remained professional.
“Corporate compliance has requested that everyone involved remain available for questioning. You're not under arrest, but we need you to stay on the property while the initial records are secured.””
Richard laughed angrily.
“You cannot detain us.””
“We aren't detaining you, sir.””
“Then move.””
The officers didn't move.
Richard turned toward James.
“This is harassment.””
James looked at him.
“No, Mr. Whitmore. This is an investigation.””
Upstairs, Nia had just finished feeding her baby when Malcolm returned from the balcony.
“Everything okay?”” she asked.
“For now.””
He sat beside her.
“Angela found something else.””
Nia looked concerned.
“What?””
“The account wasn't opened using only your personal information.””
He showed her another document.
There was a second name listed as an emergency contact.
Nia stared.
“That's impossible.””
“Do you recognize it?””
She leaned closer.
Then her expression changed.
The name was familiar.
Not because it belonged to a stranger.
Because it belonged to someone she had trusted.
Someone who had visited her apartment during her pregnancy.
Someone who knew her old address.
Someone who had helped her organize paperwork when she was preparing for the baby's arrival.
Nia whispered the name.
“Jasmine?””
Malcolm looked at her.
“Who is Jasmine?””
“My best friend.””
He waited.
Nia shook her head.
“No. She wouldn't do this.””
Malcolm didn't argue.
He simply asked Angela to check the name.
A few minutes later, the phone rang.
Angela answered.
“Mr. Brooks, I found the connection.””
Malcolm listened.
Then he looked at Nia.
“What is it?””
Angela's voice became careful.
“Jasmine Reed submitted the original identity verification documents.””
Nia's face crumpled.
“That's not possible.””
Angela continued.
“And she currently works for a company owned by Vanessa Whitmore.””
Nia stared at the phone.
Her best friend.
The woman who had held her hand in the hospital.
The woman who had promised to be the baby's godmother.
The woman who had brought her flowers after delivery.
Nia slowly lowered her head.
Then her phone vibrated again.
This time, the message wasn't from an unknown number.
It was from Jasmine.
*Nia, please don't believe everything your father tells you. I need to explain what really happened.*
A second message arrived immediately.
*And there's something you don't know about your mother.*
Nia stopped breathing for a moment.
May you like
Her mother had died when she was sixteen.
Why was Jasmine bringing her into this?
