CHAPTER 13: THE CRIMSON ENVELOPE
CHAPTER 13: THE CRIMSON ENVELOPE
We drove back to Chicago in dead silence. The city skyline looked ominous against the gathering storm clouds. When we arrived at the foundation, the children had already been sent home safely. Except for one person. Our father sat in the reception area, holding a thick crimson envelope. His hands were shaking so violently the paper rattled. "A courier left this for you," he said, his voice a broken whisper. Hannah took the envelope, ripping it open. Inside was an old leather-bound diary. I recognized the handwriting instantly. Our late mother. "Where did Christian get this?" I murmured, my throat tightening. I opened the first page. The entry was dated September 12, 2005. A month before Hannah was forced into hiding.
"Arthur came to the house today while the girls were at school. He told me that if I didn't make Richard sign the logistics clearance, he would reveal the truth about Preston's debts to the cartel. I am so scared. I have hidden the real files where only my daughters can find them. In the rhythm of our favorite song."
The room fell into an absolute, suffocating silence. Our mother hadn't been oblivious to the corruption. She was a victim of it. She had spent her final days trying to leave a trail for us. My father covered his face with his frail hands, weeping quietly. "I didn't know," he sobbed. "I swear to you, Evelyn, I thought she died of a broken heart because of Hannah's disappearance." "Arthur used Preston's gambling addictions to blackmail her." Hannah set the diary down on the desk. Her jaw was set, her eyes flashing with a dangerous, lethal focus. "The twelve million dollars in our account isn't just a tracking wire, Evy," she said. "It’s a countdown." "Christian knows our mother hid the master key." "And he’s coming to this building to tear it apart."
