Chapter 8 - THE FATHER WHO RETURNED FROM THE DEAD
Alexander hadn't seen his father in eighteen years.
Now Anthony Ashford was standing in a photograph beside Victoria Lane and Adrian Kane.
"Find him," Alexander ordered.
Marcus nodded.
"We're tracing the property."
I watched Alexander struggle to control his breathing.
He was a man feared by some of New York's most dangerous people.
But beneath that expensive suit stood a son who had grown up believing his father was dead.
"Alexander," I said softly.
He turned.
"Don't assume the photograph tells the whole story."
His expression changed.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because someone already used a photograph to make us believe Daniel betrayed my father."
Charles nodded.
"Sophia's right."
Alexander studied me.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Thank you."
An hour later, Marcus identified the Connecticut property.
It belonged to a holding company controlled by Edward Lane.
Local investigators were already examining financial transactions connected to Adrian Kane.
Alexander provided the photograph and requested a welfare check on Anthony.
I expected him to leave immediately.
Instead, he turned to me.
"You and your family should remain somewhere safe."
I crossed my arms.
"My father died because of this. I'm not going to hide while someone else decides what I deserve to know."
Alexander considered my words.
"Then you can be present when we meet the investigators. But I'm not bringing you into a potentially dangerous situation."
For once, I didn't argue.
He wasn't treating me as helpless.
He was treating the danger as real.
By evening, police had entered the property and located Anthony Ashford.
He was alive, seventy-one years old, and in poor health.
But Victoria and Adrian had disappeared.
Alexander was permitted to visit his father at a nearby medical center.
I waited in the corridor.
Through the glass, I watched Anthony slowly raise his hand toward his son.
Alexander leaned forward.
The older man touched his face.
Both began crying.
I turned away.
Some reunions deserved privacy.
Twenty minutes later, Alexander called me inside.
Anthony looked at me.
His eyes widened.
"Miguel's daughter."
I nodded.
"My name is Sophia."
Tears filled his eyes.
"Your father saved more lives than you'll ever know."
I swallowed.
"Then tell me why he died."
Anthony looked toward Alexander.
"Because Victor Kane discovered the ledger."
"What ledger?" Alexander asked.
Anthony closed his eyes.
"The proof that Edward Lane was laundering money through the Ashford companies."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"Why didn't you expose him?"
"I tried. But Victor threatened my sons. I disappeared to protect them."
I looked at Anthony.
"And my father?"
"He helped me preserve the evidence."
"Where is it?"
Anthony looked directly at me.
"Miguel hid it somewhere only his children would think to search."
My heart began racing.
"The cedar box?"
Anthony shook his head.
"No."
He smiled sadly.
"Your father always told me his greatest treasure wasn't something he owned."
I felt a strange chill.
"What was it?"
Anthony whispered, "The two children he taught to survive."
Then he looked at my hands.
"Sophia, the ledger isn't on paper."
May you like
He pointed toward the old scar beneath my wrist.
"Your father hid the access code in the one lesson you could never forget."
