Chapter 6 - The Vault
The vault manager at First National Bank checked Eleanor’s ID carefully.
“Everything seems to be in order,” the manager said.
She led them down a spiral staircase into the underground vault.
Rows of steel doors lined the walls.
The manager inserted her master key into box 0412.
Clare inserted the brass key.
They turned them at the same time.
The heavy door clicked open.
The manager left them alone in the sterile room.
Clare pulled the long metal box out and set it on the table.
Eleanor lifted the lid.
Inside sat a thick stack of legal documents and a small velvet box.
Eleanor picked up the velvet box first.
Inside was a beautiful, antique diamond necklace.
A note was attached: For my daughter, on her wedding day.
Eleanor covered her mouth, stifling a sob.
Clare reached for the legal documents.
It was the original will, just as Arthur had said.
It clearly stated that sixty percent of Mercer Holdings belonged to Eleanor Parker.
But beneath the will was a second folder.
Clare opened it.
It was a ledger.
Rows and rows of offshore bank accounts, wire transfers, and shell companies.
“What is that?” Eleanor asked, wiping her eyes.
“This is why Harrison was panicked about the iPad,” Clare whispered.
She compared the account numbers in the ledger to the ones she had seen Harrison checking on his tablet.
“Harrison isn't just running the company. He’s draining it.”
“Embezzling?”
“He’s hiding millions in offshore accounts under Sienna’s name.”
Clare realized the truth.
Harrison hadn't just cheated on her.
He was preparing to bankrupt the company and flee the country with his mistress.
Leaving Clare and their unborn child with nothing.
“We have the will,” Eleanor said. “We can take it to the police.”
“No,” Clare said, her eyes narrowing.
“If we go to the police now, he’ll transfer the money and disappear.”
May you like
“Then what do we do?”
“We trap him.”
