Chapter 8 - THE SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN MY DAUGHTER'S NAME
Adrian wanted to move us immediately.
I agreed that Mia needed to be somewhere safer, but I refused to let him decide our destination without me.
He listened.
Then Rachel helped arrange temporary accommodation through an independent protective-service provider.
The location was not one of Adrian's properties.
Only a small number of people knew the address.
Mia thought we were going on a short holiday.
I hated lying to her.
But I wasn't going to tell a six-year-old that a man connected to her father's disappearance had started sending threatening photographs.
Gabriel coordinated with the police and the investigators handling the foundation case.
Adrian also turned over Victor's messages and authorized a review of access to the mansion's security systems.
For once, he didn't try to solve the problem through threats or violence.
He wanted evidence.
And he wanted us safe.
At the temporary apartment, I finally had time to examine the documents connected to Mia's supposed trust.
The seven million dollars had not been deposited all at once.
It arrived through several shell companies over nearly five years.
Some transfers were labeled as investment proceeds.
Others as royalties.
Several referenced medical-support contracts that appeared to have no legitimate connection to my daughter.
Rachel explained the likely purpose.
“Someone used Mia's identity to conceal the beneficial ownership of these assets. We need to establish which funds belong to victims, which transactions were fraudulent, and whether any legitimate assets are involved.”
I looked down at the paperwork.
“Mia doesn't need seven million dollars.”
Rachel smiled sadly.
“That's fortunate, because having her name on the account doesn't establish that she's legally entitled to the funds.”
I nodded.
I didn't want stolen money.
I wanted my husband back.
And because that was impossible, I wanted to know the truth.
Then Mrs. Whitmore called.
She had remained at the mansion while investigators examined the historical records.
“Elena, I found something in my old employment files.”
“What?”
“A letter Benjamin wrote to the foundation's auditors.”
My pulse jumped.
She explained that Benjamin had suspected Victor of diverting relief funds long before his disappearance.
But Benjamin had also discovered that the transactions were being used to pay a private security company.
“Which company?”
“Price Protective Services.”
Daniel Price.
Again.
According to the records, Daniel received large payments shortly before Benjamin vanished.
Additional payments followed during the period Benjamin was confined to the two medical facilities.
The pattern was impossible to ignore.
“Daniel wasn't merely helping Victor hide money,” I whispered.
Rachel looked at me.
“He may have been involved in Benjamin's disappearance. That's something investigators will need to establish.”
Then Gabriel called Adrian.
The mansion's security review had identified the person who took the photograph of Mia in the garden.
A temporary driver named Owen Marsh.
Owen had been hired through a company connected to Victor.
He had accessed employee schedules, delivery routes, and the mansion's external camera system.
Police had been notified.
The investigators wanted to question him.
Then something happened that frightened me more than the photograph.
Mia came into the kitchen holding Captain Peanut.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Are we hiding from the man with the silver ring?”
My entire body went cold.
“What man?”
“The one who came to the big house.”
I knelt.
“When did you see him?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where?”
“Near the garden.”
She looked worried.
“He told me Captain Peanut was his elephant before Daddy gave him to me.”
I stared at her.
May you like
Victor knew about the toy.
And somehow, he knew there had been something hidden inside it.
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