Chapter 11 - The Threat Came From Inside
The internal suspect was Thomas Reed, Carter Sentinel’s chief financial
officer.
Michael had worked with him for nine years.
Thomas attended Emily’s funeral.
He sent birthday gifts to Noah.
He held Lily when she was a newborn.
The betrayal felt personal because it was.
Financial records showed Thomas quietly feeding company information to
the acquisition group.
He stood to receive millions if the sale succeeded.
Victor handled pressure tactics outside the company.
Thomas created vulnerability inside.
But Victor’s accusation alone was not enough.
Investigators needed evidence.
They found it in Emily’s storage unit.
One spreadsheet documented payments from a shell company to an account
later connected to Thomas.
Emily had suspected him years earlier.
Michael remembered her asking odd questions about Thomas.
He had dismissed them.
“He’s been with me forever.”
Emily had replied:
“That’s not evidence.”
Now the sentence haunted him.
Thomas was arrested after investigators documented additional financial
conduct.
He denied knowing anything about surveillance of the children.
Victor claimed otherwise.
The truth would be sorted through evidence and court proceedings.
Michael refused to let his family live inside every new allegation.
He stepped away from daily management temporarily.
An independent board committee reviewed company security.
The children stayed out of publicity.
Then Noah asked:
“Did Mr. Thomas take my picture?”
Michael answered carefully.
“We don’t know exactly what he knew yet.”
“But he was bad?”
“He made choices that police are investigating.”
Noah frowned.
“Adults make everything complicated.”
Michael laughed sadly.
“You are not wrong.”
Noah climbed beside him.
“Is the black car gone?”
“Yes.”
“The man too?”
“He can’t come here.”
Noah nodded.
Then:
“Can Grandma come someday?”
Michael did not answer for him.
“Do you want her to?”
Noah shrugged.
“Maybe.”
That was enough.
Not yes.
Not no.
Maybe.
Helen’s first visit eventually happened in a therapist’s office.
Noah sat across the room.
Helen did not approach.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Noah looked at Michael.
Michael nodded.
Noah asked:
“Why did you yell?”
Helen breathed slowly.
“I was scared and angry.”
“Why did you throw Lily’s food?”
“Because I made a bad choice.”
“Lily didn’t make you?”
Helen began crying.
“No.”
Noah watched her.
“You said she did.”
“I was wrong.”
That answer mattered.
Noah pushed a box of tissues toward her.
May you like
He did not hug her.
Helen did not ask.
