Chapter 7 - The Blue Folder Changed Everything
Laura did not open the storage unit alone.
She hired an attorney.
Daniel authorized access.
A neutral accountant came too.
Inside were tools, old photographs, tax records, and three boxes from
Miller-Hale.
The blue folder sat inside a locked metal case.
It contained bank statements.
Invoices.
Emails printed by Michael.
A draft letter to the company accountant.
Michael suspected Victor was diverting payments through a subcontractor
called Green Ridge Materials.
The owner listed on state records was Victor’s cousin.
The documents suggested possible self-dealing.
They did not prove how much money had been lost.
The accountant warned Laura not to jump ahead.
Then they found a signed operating agreement.
Michael owned fifty percent of Miller-Hale.
If one partner died, the surviving partner could purchase the interest.
But the valuation had to include active contracts and receivables.
The municipal contract should have been considered.
Laura’s attorney compared the estate appraisal.
It was not.
The appraiser had relied on financial statements provided by Victor.
Daniel looked at Laura.
“I thought he stole from you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was drinking. Mike was dead. Victor told me nobody would believe me.”
“So you disappeared?”
Daniel nodded.
Then he said something worse.
“Victor paid me.”
Laura stared.
“Paid you for what?”
“To leave town.”
Daniel had accepted ten thousand dollars.
He spent most of it while drinking.
His shame deepened.
That was why he believed Laura hated him.
May you like
Not because she ever said it.
Because he believed he had helped Victor bury Michael’s truth.
