Chapter 15 - The Man Inside Carter Holdings
The unauthorized transfer request came from the office of Chief Financial Officer Stephen Cole.
Stephen had worked for Daniel’s father for twenty-three years.
Daniel trusted him.
That made what happened next worse.
“Tell me you didn't authorize this.”
Stephen sat across from Daniel, sweating.
“I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Stephen lowered his head.
Margaret had controlled him for years.
She had approved hidden bonuses.
Covered personal debts.
And when William began investigating missing company funds, Stephen helped Margaret disguise them as consulting expenses.
“She said Lucas would fix everything.”
“A fake child?”
“I didn't know he was fake at first.”
Daniel stared at him.
“When did you know?”
Stephen said nothing.
“When?”
“After Claire started asking questions.”
Daniel stood abruptly.
Stephen flinched.
Daniel forced himself to remain still.
“Did you help falsify Noah’s DNA?”
“No.”
“Did you know?”
Stephen’s silence answered him.
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“You watched me bury my wife. You watched me question whether Noah was mine.”
“I was scared.”
“So was Claire.”
Stephen began crying.
Daniel felt nothing.
Rebecca entered with federal investigators.
Stephen was escorted out.
Before leaving, he turned.
“Daniel.”
Daniel didn't respond.
“Your mother has another copy of the audit.”
Daniel finally looked at him.
“What?”
“She got it yesterday.”
That explained Margaret’s smile in court.
If she knew exactly what evidence existed, she could tailor her defense.
But Stephen continued:
“She isn't planning to defend herself.”
Daniel frowned.
“What is she planning?”
Stephen looked toward the investigators.
“To leave.”
Margaret’s passport had supposedly been surrendered.
But wealthy people did not always need commercial airports.
Police checked Carter Holdings aviation records.
One corporate jet had requested departure clearance.
Destination: Nassau.
Departure time:
6:40 p.m.
Daniel checked his watch.
5:58.
Rebecca called investigators immediately.
Then Daniel received a message from Margaret.
A photograph.
The Carter mansion.
Under it:
COME HOME, DANIEL.
ALONE.
He showed Rebecca.
“Absolutely not.”
Then another photo arrived.
Claire’s blue elephant.
Daniel’s blood went cold.
May you like
Margaret had been inside his supposedly secure home.
And she wanted him to know it.
