Chapter 6 - Shadows of the Past
While the public applauded, Richard Sterling quietly signaled his lead corporate security chief, Marcus Vance.
Marcus, a burly ex-federal agent with a cold, unreadable face, stepped out from the elevator bay into the shadows.
He pulled a sleek, encrypted smartphone from his coat and dialed a private number registered in Wall Street.
"We have a massive emergency in Chicago," Marcus whispered into the receiver, watching Henry speak with guests.
"The old man is alive, he's fully coherent, and he's tearing up our operational directives in public."
On the other end of the line, a deep, raspy voice answered after a brief, heavy pause.
"Did he mention the offshore expansion accounts or the land acquisition deals in Miami?" the voice demanded sharply.
"Not yet, Mr. Croft," Marcus reported softly, keeping his eyes glued to Henry's every movement.
"He seems focused entirely on employee treatment and his late wife's original company values."
"He's acting emotionally, but if he audits the financial ledgers tomorrow morning, he will discover the missing two hundred million."
Arthur Croft, a powerful hedge fund titan who had been secretly plotting a hostile takeover of Brooks Corporation, growled softly.
"Ensure he doesn't reach the auditing department tomorrow, Marcus," Croft commanded coldly.
"Use whatever means necessary to keep him out of the corporate tower until our takeover papers are filed at dawn."
Marcus ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket with a deadly, calculating glint in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Henry walked out to the rain-soaked terrace, holding a small silver locket containing a photograph of Clara.
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He looked up at the stormy Chicago sky, feeling a heavy weight in his chest that had nothing to do with old age.
He knew his late wife's fear had come true, but he also realized something far more dangerous was lurking in the shadows.
