Chapter 9 - MARTIN VALE
Martin Vale looked twenty years older than he had the day before.
He sat across from federal agents with both hands wrapped around a paper cup.
Harrison watched from behind the glass.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Monroe stood beside him.
“You don’t get to question him directly.”
Harrison looked at her.
“My sister nearly died.”
“I’m aware.”
“My niece was targeted.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then let me in.”
“No.”
Harrison stared at her.
Rachel stared back.
Most people eventually looked away from Harrison Cole.
Rachel Monroe didn’t.
“Your reputation doesn’t impress me.”
“Good.”
Harrison folded his arms.
“Then we won’t waste time.”
Rachel almost smiled.
Martin began speaking.
The audio came through the speaker.
“Richard started moving money six years ago.”
An agent asked.
“How much?”
“At first?”
“Twenty million.”
“Total?”
Martin stared into his coffee.
“Approximately 1.7 billion.”
Harrison’s expression didn’t change.
Rachel’s did.
Martin continued.
“Not all stolen.”
“Some leveraged.”
“Some hidden.”
“Some double-pledged.”
“Bellweather?”
“Insurance.”
“Explain.”
Martin swallowed.
“If regulators found the discrepancies, Bellweather made Khloe appear responsible.”
“Why Khloe?”
“Because Richard needed a person close enough to have access.”
“And disposable enough to sacrifice.”
Harrison’s hands clenched.
The agent continued.
“What happened at the courthouse?”
Martin looked toward the mirrored glass.
As if he knew Harrison was there.
“Richard knew Vanessa was going to meet Khloe.”
“How?”
“He arranged it.”
“Did he order Vanessa to attack her?”
Martin hesitated.
“Not directly.”
“What did he say?”
“He told Vanessa that Khloe planned to expose her.”
“That she would lose her career.”
“Her baby.”
“Everything.”
“He knew Vanessa was unstable.”
The agent leaned forward.
“Did Richard intend for Khloe to die?”
Martin looked down.
“I don’t know.”
Harrison didn’t believe him.
The agent repeated.
“Martin.”
Martin’s shoulders dropped.
“Yes.”
The room behind the glass became silent.
Rachel looked at Harrison.
Martin continued.
“Richard told me the problem would solve itself.”
“When?”
“Morning of the courthouse hearing.”
“What hearing?”
Martin looked confused.
“You don’t know?”
The agent waited.
Martin continued.
“Khloe was scheduled to meet a federal prosecutor.”
Harrison turned sharply toward Rachel.
Rachel’s face showed genuine surprise.
Martin continued.
“She was going to turn over the Bellweather records.”
That was why Khloe had been there.
Not divorce.
Not Vanessa.
Federal cooperation.
The agent asked.
“How did Richard know?”
Martin looked terrified.
“Someone inside the government told him.”
Rachel’s expression changed.
Harrison stared at her.
“Who?”
The agent asked.
Martin shook his head.
“I never knew the name.”
“But Richard did.”
“Yes.”
“What did you take from Khloe’s car?”
“The blue folder.”
“Where is it?”
Martin reached slowly into his jacket.
Agents immediately moved.
“Easy.”
He removed a locker key.
“Penn Station.”
“Locker 418.”
“What’s inside?”
“The folder.”
“Anything else?”
Martin nodded.
“A recording.”
“Of?”
Martin looked toward the mirrored glass again.
“Richard.”
“What does he say?”
Martin’s voice became quiet.
“He admits he knew Vanessa was going to confront Khloe.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Martin took a breath.
“He says if Khloe survives the fall, he has another plan.”
Harrison stepped toward the glass.
Rachel caught his arm.
“Don’t.”
Inside, the agent asked the question Harrison needed answered.
“What plan?”
Martin looked directly toward the mirror.
“The baby.”
Harrison’s heart stopped.
“What about the baby?”
Martin whispered.
“Richard said the child was never supposed to leave the hospital.”
Harrison ripped Rachel’s hand away.
He was already dialing hospital security.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Then his phone rang.
Khloe.
He answered.
“Khloe?”
He heard breathing.
Fast.
Terrified.
Then Khloe whispered.
“Harry.”
“I’m here.”
“The lights went out.”
Harrison’s blood turned cold.
“Where are the guards?”
“I don’t know.”
“Lock your door.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
May you like
Khloe started crying.
“Someone took the baby.”
