Chapter 2 - THE MAN WHO WASN'T IN PRISON
I called Vincent.
Straight to voicemail.
I called again.
Nothing.
Then my father suddenly remembered something.
“He called me from a different number.”
“Do you have it?”
“Yes.”
He handed me a folded piece of paper.
I entered the number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then someone answered.
“Hello?”
It wasn't Vincent.
It was a man's voice.
“Who is this?”
The line went silent.
Then the man hung up.
I stared at the phone.
Dad whispered:
“What happened?”
“I don't know.”
But I did know one thing.
Vincent was hiding.
I opened my laptop and checked my company's travel system.
My London assignment was still active.
According to the company records, I was supposed to remain overseas for another four weeks.
Then I checked my bank account.
A notification appeared.
International wire transfer pending.
Amount:
$4,500,000.
Recipient:
Vantage Meridian Holdings.
I didn't recognize the company.
My father did.
He slowly shook his head.
“That sounds like one of those investment companies.”
I searched the name.
The company had no public office.
No website.
No employees listed.
No obvious business activity.
But there was one interesting detail.
Its registered agent was a law firm in Connecticut.
The same firm that handled my husband's business contracts.
My stomach dropped.
I called the law firm.
A receptionist answered.
“Good evening.”
“I need information about Vantage Meridian Holdings.”
There was a pause.
“I'm sorry. We can't discuss client information.”
“I'm the beneficiary of the transfer.”
Another pause.
Then the receptionist said something strange.
“You should speak with your husband.”
“My husband isn't answering.”
“I understand.”
Her voice suddenly became nervous.
“Ms. Parker, I strongly recommend that you contact law enforcement.”
The call ended.
I stared at the screen.
My father came closer.
“What did she say?”
I looked at him.
“She told me to call the police.”
Dad went pale.
“Why?”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.
A text message.
From Vincent.
Don't trust anyone. Especially your father.
I read it twice.
Then another message appeared.
If you want to know where the $4.5 million went, come alone.
An address followed.
I recognized it.
An abandoned warehouse near Stamford.
I looked at Dad.
He grabbed my wrist.
“Don't go.”
“I have to.”
“No.”
His voice cracked.
“Elise, please.”
I hugged him.
“I'll be careful.”
But as I walked toward the door, I noticed something through the window.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
May you like
Someone was sitting inside.
Watching our house.
