Chapter 4 - The Woman Behind The Smile
Clare did not hear from Ethan for four days.
She told herself she was relieved.
She wasn't.
She missed the way he looked at the dance floor when he forgot to be CEO.
She missed the little smile he tried to hide.
Most of all, she missed knowing he would walk through the studio door.
On the fifth day, Henry arrived.
Alone.
He sat down.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“My son.”
Clare smiled sadly.
“He doesn't need you to apologize.”
“He thinks pushing people away is protection.”
Clare looked at him.
“He learned it somewhere.”
“Yes.”
Henry sighed.
“His mother did the same.”
“Margaret?”
“No.”
Henry looked toward the window.
“Anna.”
Clare listened.
“Anna was a good woman.”
“What happened to her?”
“Ethan believed her death was an accident. Your aunt Vivian's information changed that.”
“Do you believe someone killed her?”
Henry nodded.
“I think someone wanted Ethan to believe it was an accident.”
“Why?”
“Because three weeks before Anna died, she discovered irregularities in one of Ethan's acquisitions.”
Clare's eyes widened.
“Business?”
“Yes.”
“Money?”
“Something bigger.”
Henry leaned closer.
“Human trafficking.”
Clare's face went pale.
“Ethan's company?”
“No.”
“A supplier.”
“The supplier used several legitimate companies as cover.”
“And Anna found it?”
“She worked in compliance.”
Clare understood.
Anna had discovered what others missed.
She wanted to report it.
Someone stopped her.
But who?
Henry reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a USB drive.
“Your son needs this.”
Clare looked at it.
“You should give it to him.”
“I've tried.”
“Why won't he take it?”
“Because he thinks I am trying to pull him into something dangerous.”
Clare smiled.
“Then maybe you should let him think I found it.”
Henry laughed.
“You would do that?”
“I've done worse.”
That evening, Clare went to Ethan's office.
His assistant looked startled.
“He's in a meeting.”
“Tell him I'm here.”
The assistant hesitated.
Then Ethan appeared.
His face changed when he saw her.
“What are you doing here?”
“I brought something.”
“Clare.”
She held out the drive.
“Your father asked me to give you this.”
He did not take it.
“Why didn't he?”
“Because you scare him.”
Ethan flinched.
“That isn't fair.”
“No.”
She took another step.
“He's afraid that if he tells you the truth, you will disappear into it.”
Ethan finally took the drive.
“What is it?”
“Evidence.”
He looked at her.
“Where did you get it?”
“Does that matter?”
“Yes.”
She met his eyes.
“No.”
He almost smiled.
“You are impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
He plugged in the drive.
The first file appeared.
Anna's report.
Ethan read.
Then another.
A financial transfer.
A list of properties.
A name.
David Harlow.
Ethan went still.
“What?”
“This man.”
“Who is he?”
“My chief operating officer.”
Clare looked at the screen.
“Could he be involved?”
“I don't know.”
There were 18 transfers.
All made shortly before Anna's death.
Then a final document.
A message.
Your wife knows too much.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“I trusted him.”
“You still do not know whether he was responsible.”
He looked at her.
“You stayed.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She answered honestly.
“Because you don't look like a man who wants to hurt people.”
“That's not the same as being safe.”
“No.”
She smiled softly.
“But it's enough for me tonight.”
He stared.
Then said quietly,
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming back.”
She stepped closer.
“I didn't leave.”
Their eyes met.
The moment lasted only a second.
Then the office door burst open.
David Harlow entered.
“Mr. Caldwell.”
He saw Clare.
His expression changed.
Then he noticed the computer screen.
The documents.
He went pale.
Ethan's voice became dangerously calm.
“David.”
“Those files are confidential.”
“So was Anna.”
Silence.
David took one step backward.
Ethan stood.
“What happened to my wife?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
David said nothing.
Ethan moved toward him.
Clare touched his arm.
“Don't.”
He stopped.
David looked at her.
Then smiled.
“You should have stayed out of this.”
Clare felt cold.
Ethan moved in front of her.
David left.
Ethan watched the door close.
“Now you're involved.”
Clare's voice was steady.
“I know.”
“You should be afraid.”
“I am.”
He looked at her.
“Then why are you staying?”
May you like
She whispered,
“Because you're not the only one who deserves someone willing to stay.”
