Chapter 8: The Man Who Came Back to Silence Us
Thomas Reed arrived twenty minutes later.
He didn't look like a criminal.
That was the first thing I noticed.
He wore an expensive charcoal suit, polished black shoes, and a silver watch. His hair was perfectly combed, and he carried a leather briefcase.
He walked through the entrance as though he had come for an ordinary business meeting.
"Richard.""
My father didn't stand.
"Thomas.""
Thomas glanced at me.
"Danielle. I'm sorry about what happened tonight.""
I didn't respond.
He turned toward Daniel.
"I understand there's been some confusion.""
Daniel placed the USB drive on the table.
"Is that what you call six million dollars in unauthorized payments?""
Thomas's expression barely changed.
"Those transactions are being reviewed.""
My father leaned forward.
"By whom?""
"Internal finance.""
"You are internal finance.""
Thomas smiled faintly.
"Richard, I understand emotions are running high, but this isn't the place.""
My father looked at him.
"Then perhaps you should have chosen a different place to steal money.""
Thomas's smile disappeared.
He pulled out a chair.
"May I sit?""
Nobody answered.
He sat anyway.
I watched him carefully.
This was the man in Marcus's photograph.
The man my husband had confronted.
The man who might know why Marcus had died.
I placed Grace's blanket more securely around her.
Then I asked the question that had been burning inside me.
"Did you know my husband?""
Thomas looked at me.
"Of course. Marcus was a talented man.""
"Did he tell you he had discovered the missing payments?""
Thomas glanced at Daniel.
"Marcus misunderstood several accounting entries.""
I felt my fingers tighten around the blanket.
"Did you tell him to stop investigating?""
Thomas looked at me again.
"Your husband was under considerable pressure. He was about to become a father. He sometimes interpreted ordinary business disagreements as personal threats.""
I stared at him.
"Don't talk about my husband like that.""
My father placed a hand on the table.
"Answer the question.""
Thomas sighed.
"I never threatened Marcus.""
Daniel opened the laptop.
"Then explain this recording.""
He pressed play.
Thomas's voice came through the speakers.
You don't understand what you're dealing with, Marcus.
Then Marcus answered.
I understand that six million dollars disappeared.
Thomas's recorded voice became colder.
You need to stop looking into accounts that aren't your responsibility.
Marcus replied:
I have copies of everything.
The recording ended.
Thomas stared at the laptop.
Then he leaned back.
"That's an incomplete conversation.""
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"What part is missing?""
"The part where Marcus admitted he had misunderstood the transaction.""
I looked at him.
"Why would he record a conversation if he had misunderstood something?""
Thomas smiled.
"People record things for all kinds of reasons.""
My father stood.
"Enough.""
Thomas looked up.
"Richard, listen to me. I know you're upset about your daughter. But I have worked for this company for twelve years. I helped build its financial structure.""
My father shook his head.
"You were trusted with the money.""
"And I handled it.""
"Then explain the false vendors.""
Thomas opened his briefcase.
He removed a document.
"These were legitimate consulting arrangements.""
Daniel examined it.
"Reed Consulting Group?""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
"Your company?""
"One of several companies I have interests in.""
Daniel looked at him.
"Did you disclose that relationship?""
Thomas hesitated.
"At the time, it wasn't necessary.""
Daniel gave a short, disbelieving laugh.
"You approved payments to your own company without disclosing your ownership?""
Thomas's voice became defensive.
"It was a standard consulting arrangement.""
My father leaned forward.
"Did you use my digital authorization?""
Thomas looked at him.
"No.""
"Marcus's recording says someone did.""
"Marcus was mistaken.""
Daniel opened the transaction records.
"Then perhaps you can explain why the authorization originated from your assigned device.""
Thomas went completely still.
Daniel turned the laptop.
The audit trail showed the approval time, the device identifier, and the user account.
Thomas stared at it.
"That's not conclusive.""
"Then we'll let the forensic auditors decide.""
Thomas closed his briefcase.
"I think this meeting is over.""
My father shook his head.
"No. It isn't.""
Thomas stood.
"Richard, I have been patient. But I'm not going to sit here and be accused of criminal conduct in front of employees.""
I finally spoke.
"Marcus sat in front of you and asked questions. Did you show him the same patience?""
Thomas looked at me.
For a moment, his expression changed.
Something cold passed across his face.
Then he smiled.
"Your husband was a good man. But he made mistakes.""
"What mistakes?""
"He trusted the wrong people.""
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
"Who?""
Thomas looked toward my father.
Then he answered.
"People closer to him than you think.""
My father stepped forward.
"Choose your next words carefully.""
Thomas picked up his briefcase.
"I'm leaving.""
James moved toward the entrance.
"Sir, we need you to remain here until the police arrive.""
Thomas laughed.
"Police? For an accounting disagreement?""
Daniel replied.
"We have already contacted the authorities regarding the financial records.""
Thomas's smile vanished.
Then he reached into his pocket.
My father immediately raised his hand.
"Keep your hands visible.""
Thomas froze.
He slowly removed his phone.
"Relax.""
He placed it on the table.
"You're making a mistake.""
I looked at him.
"Did you have anything to do with Marcus's death?""
Silence.
Thomas stared at me.
Then he gave a quiet laugh.
"That's an extraordinary accusation.""
"Answer me.""
He leaned closer.
"Your husband was involved in something he didn't understand. That's all you need to know.""
My father grabbed the edge of the table.
"Did you threaten him?""
Thomas straightened.
"I told him to stop interfering with matters that didn't concern him.""
"And after that?""
Thomas didn't answer.
Daniel looked at him.
"After that, Marcus died.""
Thomas's face hardened.
"Are you suggesting I killed him?""
Nobody spoke.
Then Thomas said something that made my entire body go cold.
"Perhaps you should ask your father why Marcus was driving alone that night.""
I looked at my father.
"What does that mean?""
My father didn't answer.
Thomas continued.
"Ask him why Marcus called him before the accident.""
My heart began pounding.
I turned toward my father.
"Dad?""
His eyes were fixed on Thomas.
"He's trying to manipulate you.""
"Did Marcus call you that night?""
My father swallowed.
"Danielle...""
"Did he?""
He closed his eyes.
Then he nodded.
"Yes.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
My father's voice cracked.
"Because I didn't know how to explain it.""
I stepped backward.
"What happened?""
Thomas gave a small, satisfied smile.
"Go on, Richard. Tell her.""
My father turned toward him.
"Shut your mouth.""
But Thomas continued.
"Tell her about the warning. Tell her what Marcus said about the brakes.""
I stared at my father.
"The brakes?""
My father looked devastated.
"Marcus called me that night. He said someone had been following him.""
I couldn't breathe.
"Following him?""
"He said he thought Thomas was involved. He was on his way to meet me.""
Thomas laughed.
"That's a lie.""
My father ignored him.
"Marcus said he was worried about the car. He told me something felt wrong.""
My hands began shaking.
"Then why didn't you call the police?""
"I did.""
"When?""
"After the accident.""
I stared at him.
"After?""
He lowered his head.
"Danielle, I didn't know he was in danger until it was too late.""
Thomas picked up his phone.
"You see? This is exactly why you should stop listening to rumors.""
Daniel moved toward him.
"Put the phone down.""
Thomas ignored him.
He looked directly at me.
"Your father is hiding something. And if you continue this investigation, you'll discover that the people responsible for your husband's death aren't who you think they are.""
Then he walked toward the entrance.
James stepped in front of him.
"Sir, you need to wait.""
Thomas stopped.
He reached into his briefcase again.
This time, he removed a sealed envelope.
He placed it on the table.
"Before you arrest anyone, read that.""
Daniel picked it up.
There was a single sentence written across the front.
*THE ORIGINAL ACCIDENT REPORT WAS ALTERED.*
My father went pale.
I looked at Thomas.
"What does that mean?""
He stared at me.
"It means Marcus might not have died because of an accident.""
Then the front doors opened.
Two police officers entered.
Behind them stood a woman in a dark blue suit.
She approached my father and showed him her identification.
"Richard Carter?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Detective Laura Mitchell. We need to speak with you and your daughter.""
I looked at her.
"About Marcus?""
She nodded.
"Yes, ma'am.""
Then she glanced at Thomas.
May you like
"And about the person who accessed his vehicle after the crash.""
Thomas's face went completely white.