Chapter 4 - THE WATCH ON THE TABLE
Adrian ran downstairs.
Marcus was nowhere in the house.
Security officers searched the property, but the gates remained locked.
“No vehicle left,” one officer reported.
Adrian stopped.
“Then where did he go?”
No one answered.
Claire came down the stairs slowly.
“Adrian.”
He turned.
She was holding the child’s drawing.
“Your father wrote something else.”
She pointed to the bottom corner.
There was a tiny number.
17.
Adrian stared at it.
“Seventeen.”
“What does it mean?”
He didn't know.
Then his face changed.
“Dock seventeen.”
Cole Meridian owned seventeen freight terminals across the East Coast.
The first had been built by his father.
Dock seventeen was abandoned after a fire eight years earlier.
Adrian had never understood why.
His father had refused to discuss it.
They drove there before dawn.
Claire insisted on coming.
Adrian didn't argue.
He had spent too many months believing he was protecting her by keeping her outside his business.
Now he understood that the distance had made her vulnerable.
The abandoned terminal stood beside the dark water.
The old warehouse was half demolished.
Inside, dust covered everything.
Adrian found the wooden table from the photograph.
The watch was gone.
But the hospital badge remained.
So did a small velvet box.
Claire opened it.
Inside was a necklace.
A simple gold pendant shaped like a compass.
She touched it.
“I know this.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Where?”
“My mother gave it to me.”
“You said she lost it.”
“She did.”
Claire turned it over.
There was an engraving.
C.C. — 2004.
Adrian frowned.
“Your initials?”
“Yes.”
“Who had it?”
“I don't know.”
A noise came from the far side of the warehouse.
Adrian immediately stepped forward.
A woman emerged from the shadows.
Elena Voss.
Claire froze.
Adrian stared.
“What are you doing here?”
Elena looked exhausted.
“I was trying to find you.”
Claire's expression hardened.
“You.”
Elena looked at her.
“I never kissed your husband.”
Claire said nothing.
Elena reached into her coat.
Adrian raised his hand.
“Slowly.”
She pulled out a folder.
“I have proof.”
Inside were photographs from the conference.
The original sequence showed Elena grabbing Adrian's lapel.
Another photograph showed a photographer moving behind a pillar.
The final image revealed that the famous “kiss” photograph had been cropped.
Adrian never touched Elena's lips.
Claire stared at the evidence.
“I knew it,” she whispered.
Elena looked at her.
“Then you know someone wanted you to believe otherwise.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Why help us?”
Elena hesitated.
“Because the same person ruined my family.”
That changed everything.
Elena explained that her company had lost millions through fraudulent transactions routed through shell companies.
The money eventually disappeared into accounts connected to a subsidiary of Cole Meridian.
Adrian's face tightened.
“My company?”
“Not officially.”
She handed him another document.
“These payments were approved by someone using an executive authorization code.”
Adrian read the name.
Marcus Bell.
Claire covered her mouth.
Adrian didn't speak.
Elena continued.
“I thought Marcus was working for your father years ago.”
Adrian looked up.
“What?”
“Your father contacted my father before he died.”
Elena's voice softened.
“They were investigating the same network.”
Adrian suddenly understood the drawing.
Trust the wrong person.
His father had been warning him.
But why Marcus?
Marcus had worked beside Adrian for seventeen years.
He had attended his wedding.
He had held Adrian's father’s hand at the funeral.
He had helped build Cole Meridian.
Claire suddenly whispered, “Adrian.”
She pointed to the pendant.
The compass had opened.
Inside was a tiny folded piece of paper.
Adrian unfolded it.
Only six words were written.
The witness is still in Boston.
Elena looked confused.
“Who?”
Claire's face changed.
“I know.”
Adrian turned.
“Who?”
“My sister.”
“Nora?”
Claire nodded.
“She was at the hospital that night.”
A sound came from outside.
Tires on gravel.
Adrian moved toward the warehouse doors.
A black SUV stopped outside.
The rear door opened.
Nora stepped out.
May you like
She was crying.
And behind her stood Marcus Bell.
