Chapter 5 - THE DEATH THAT WASN’T AN ACCIDENTRichard stared at the ledger.
The payment was enormous.
$750,000.
Sent to a private account.
The date was exactly two days before Edward died.
Jonathan said nothing.
Maya pointed to the entry.
“This money came from the company account.”
Richard whispered,
“Why?”
“Because someone paid for silence.”
Jonathan stepped backward.
“This is fabricated.”
Maya turned the page.
“Then explain the next one.”
Another payment.
Then another.
All linked to the same account.
Richard looked at Victoria.
“Did you know?”
Victoria began crying.
“Yes.”
“Everything?”
“Not everything.”
“You knew he was involved.”
“Yes.”
“And you still worked with him.”
“I was afraid.”
Richard's voice became bitter.
“You were always afraid.”
Victoria looked at him.
“You don't understand what he did.”
“Then explain it.”
She lowered her head.
“Jonathan threatened to destroy our family.”
Richard laughed.
“He already did.”
Jonathan suddenly moved toward the exit.
Dean blocked him.
“Step aside.”
“No.”
“I am an attorney.”
“And I'm security.”
Jonathan glared.
“You're making a mistake.”
Dean didn't move.
The police arrived fifteen minutes later.
Maya had called them before entering the basement.
Jonathan's confidence disappeared.
Detective Harris entered.
He had been investigating financial crimes connected to the hotel for months.
He looked at the ledger.
Then at Maya.
“You found it.”
“Yes.”
He turned toward Jonathan.
“Jonathan Pierce, we need to speak with you.”
Jonathan smiled.
“On what grounds?”
Harris held up a warrant.
“Fraud.”
“Money laundering.”
“Witness intimidation.”
“And we're reopening the investigation into Edward Hale's death.”
Jonathan's face changed.
Victoria began crying.
“It's over.”
Richard looked at her.
“Yes.”
Jonathan was taken away.
But Maya wasn't finished.
She had one final piece of evidence.
A voicemail.
Recorded twelve years earlier.
Edward's voice.
He sounded frightened.
“Maya, if you're hearing this, I didn't leave the hotel voluntarily. They know I have the records. Protect Richard.”
Richard listened.
His eyes filled with tears.
“My father trusted you.”
Maya nodded.
“He trusted you too.”
Richard looked at her.
“Why did you wait twelve years?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Jonathan?”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
Maya looked toward the police.
“Now I'm not.”
Richard hugged her.
It was the first time Maya had seen him lose his composure.
“Thank you.”
Maya closed her eyes.
She had kept the secret for twelve years.
Now she could finally breathe.
But Victoria remained.
She stood alone in the basement.
Richard turned toward her.
“You helped him.”
Victoria nodded.
“I did.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“Because I thought I could protect you.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know.”
Richard looked away.
“That's the part I can't forgive.”
Victoria began crying.
Maya watched her.
For the first time, she didn't see Victoria as the cruel woman who had attacked her.
She saw someone who had allowed fear to turn her into something she hated.
May you like
But forgiveness would come later.
First came justice.
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