Chapter 5 - Claire’s Father Had Known Adrian
Claire’s father, Thomas Morgan, had never been a wealthy man.
He taught economics at a community college.
At least, that was what Claire believed.
Adrian told her Thomas had also worked quietly as a forensic accounting
consultant.
Cross Meridian hired him during an internal audit.
Thomas found irregular transfers.
He brought them to Adrian.
Adrian was twenty-nine.
Newly promoted.
Ambitious.
Naive enough to believe family loyalty meant something.
“I confronted Julian.”
Claire stared at him.
“You told him my father found the money?”
Adrian’s face tightened.
“Yes.”
The answer landed like a slap.
“What happened next?”
“Thomas died six weeks later.”
Claire stood.
“You got him killed.”
Marcus moved forward.
Adrian raised a hand.
“No. Let her say it.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“You told the man he was investigating.”
“I didn’t know what Julian was capable of.”
“My father died.”
“I know.”
“You got to spend ten years being a billionaire while my mother
disappeared and I buried both parents.”
Adrian looked down.
“I know.”
No defense.
That made her angrier.
Then Marcus spoke.
“Adrian didn’t know the crash was connected until later.”
Claire turned.
“How much later?”
“Two years.”
“And what did he do?”
Marcus hesitated.
Adrian answered.
“Not enough.”
He had hired investigators.
Quietly.
Privately.
He feared scandal would destroy the company and hundreds of jobs.
Claire laughed bitterly.
“So you protected the company.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother?”
Adrian’s eyes filled.
“She stopped trusting me.”
Claire looked at the bracelet.
She understood why.
Then the cockpit intercom crackled.
The pilot announced they had received an unexpected rerouting
instruction.
Marcus’s face changed.
Adrian sat upright.
“We never requested a reroute.”
May you like
The jet was no longer flying toward New York.
Someone had changed their destination.
