Chapter 7 - The Man Who Locked the Doors
Walter Branick had spent thirty years pretending the fire never happened.
He'd changed his name.
Moved to another city.
And built a comfortable retirement with money investigators now believed was connected to the old conspiracy.
But when two investigators arrived at his retirement community, he looked toward the window and whispered:
"I knew this day would come."
Adeline sat beside Emmett in his office when the investigators called.
Walter had agreed to an interview with an attorney present.
"He remembers the factory?" Emmett asked.
"Yes."
"Does he remember my mother?"
A pause.
"Yes."
Emmett closed his eyes.
For thirty years, he'd imagined confronting the man who locked the doors.
He'd pictured anger.
Revenge.
A moment when power finally changed hands.
But now, hearing that Walter was willing to talk, he felt strangely empty.
Adeline watched him.
"Are you okay?"
He looked at her.
"I don't know."
She nodded.
"That makes sense."
He almost smiled.
Most people treated him like a machine.
Adeline allowed him to be human.
Later that afternoon, investigators shared the substance of Walter's initial statement.
He admitted receiving orders to restrict access to the factory during a labor dispute.
He claimed he hadn't known a fire would begin.
But he acknowledged that he had left the emergency exits secured even after workers reported dangerous electrical problems.
Then he identified the person who ordered the doors locked.
Sterling Dunore.
Emmett stared at the report.
"Will he testify?"
"He's seeking an agreement, but nothing has been finalized."
Adeline looked toward the documents.
"What about Dad?"
The investigator's expression became serious.
"Walter remembers Samuel Caruso."
Her heart pounded.
"What did he say?"
"He says Samuel entered the factory after the fire started."
Adeline covered her mouth.
Her father had been there.
She'd never known.
The investigator continued.
"According to Walter, Samuel managed to get several workers out through a maintenance passage."
Emmett went still.
"How many?"
"Nine."
Adeline began crying.
Her father had saved nine lives.
And he'd never told anyone.
Then the investigator revealed something unexpected.
"Walter says Samuel later confronted Sterling about the fire."
"When?" Adeline asked.
"Three years ago."
Her heart stopped.
That was the year Dad had been arrested.
"Where?"
"Inside Sterling's private office."
The investigator paused.
"Walter claims Samuel found proof linking the old fire to the pension fraud."
Adeline stared at Emmett.
The two conspiracies weren't separate.
They were connected.
Then the investigator delivered the final revelation.
"Walter says Samuel recorded that confrontation."
Adeline's breath caught.
"Where's the recording?"
The answer came slowly.
"According to Walter, Samuel gave it to someone he trusted."
"Who?"
May you like
The investigator looked toward Adeline.
"Your grandmother, Ruthanne."
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