Chapter 2 - THE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX
Sophia disappeared before Ethan could stop her.
Her phone was turned off.
Her car was gone.
And by midnight, the police had found no trace of her.
Ethan returned to the house.
Richard was sitting alone in the library.
His injured cheek had begun to swell.
Ethan stood in the doorway.
“Dad.”
Richard didn't look up.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Yes.”
The answer came so quickly that Ethan flinched.
Richard finally looked at him.
“You owe me more than an apology.”
“I know.”
“You slapped me because your wife cried.”
“I know.”
“You never asked me what happened.”
“I know.”
Richard stood.
Then he walked toward an old wooden cabinet.
From behind several books, he removed a small brass key.
Ethan frowned.
“What is that?”
“My father's.”
Richard unlocked a hidden drawer.
Inside was a single envelope.
Ethan opened it.
A photograph fell onto the desk.
It showed Richard thirty years younger.
Standing beside a woman.
Ethan recognized her.
“Sophia's mother?”
Richard nodded.
“Her name was Margaret.”
“Why do you have this?”
“Because Margaret came to me twenty-two years ago.”
Richard's voice became quieter.
“She told me Sophia was in danger.”
“From who?”
“She wouldn't say.”
Ethan stared at the photograph.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Margaret made me promise.”
Richard removed another document.
It was a bank receipt.
A safe-deposit box.
“What's inside?”
“Something Sophia has been looking for.”
Ethan's stomach tightened.
“What?”
Richard looked at him.
“Proof that your grandfather's fortune wasn't built legally.”
Ethan stared.
“That can't be true.”
“Your grandfather ran several companies.”
“I know.”
“He also used shell corporations to hide money.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.”
Richard sat down.
“When I discovered it, I wanted nothing to do with it.”
“But you inherited it.”
“Yes.”
“And Sophia knew?”
Richard nodded.
“She discovered the same records.”
Ethan suddenly understood.
“She wasn't trying to frame you because of some argument.”
“No.”
“She wanted access to the estate.”
Richard looked toward the window.
“Partly.”
“What does that mean?”
Richard hesitated.
Then he said:
“She believes your grandfather stole something from her family.”
Ethan's expression hardened.
“What?”
Richard slid the photograph toward him.
“Her mother's death certificate.”
Ethan stared.
“Margaret wasn't supposed to be dead.”
Silence.
“She disappeared.”
Richard nodded.
“And someone wanted everyone to believe she had died.”
Ethan looked at the photograph again.
“Who?”
May you like
Richard's voice dropped to a whisper.
“Your grandfather.”
