Chapter 11 - THE MAN ON THE BOARD
Victor attended the Sterling Development board meeting as if nothing had happened.
He wore a navy suit.
He shook hands.
He asked about quarterly projections.
He even expressed concern for Elena.
Alvin entered twelve minutes late.
The room became silent.
Victor stood.
“Alvin.”
“I heard Elena is improving.”
“She is.”
“Thank God.”
Alvin looked at him.
Victor held his gaze.
Neither man smiled.
The board meeting began.
Alvin said nothing about the investigation.
Victor said nothing about North Crown.
For thirty-seven minutes, they discussed business.
Then Claire entered with two federal investigators.
Several board members turned in surprise.
Victor did not.
That was the first thing Alvin noticed.
The second was Victor's right hand moving toward his phone.
One investigator spoke.
“Mr. Keane, we need you to come with us.”
Victor leaned back.
“Am I under arrest?”
“Not at this time.”
“Then I have a meeting.”
Alvin finally spoke.
“You no longer have a meeting.”
Victor smiled.
“You cannot remove a director without a vote.”
Alvin placed a document on the table.
“The audit committee can suspend access during an active fraud investigation.”
Victor's smile faded.
“You always were dramatic.”
“I learned from watching men steal billions.”
Several directors exchanged looks.
Victor stood.
“This company exists because of decisions you were too afraid to make.”
Alvin's voice remained calm.
“And now you will explain your decisions somewhere else.”
Victor left with the investigators.
But he was released that evening.
The evidence showed fraud.
Conspiracy was harder.
Intent was harder still.
Victor's lawyers attacked the recordings.
They claimed Brenna had edited them.
They claimed Thomas Reed was an admitted criminal seeking immunity.
They claimed Marisol Vega was a jealous former lover.
Most importantly, they claimed Diego acted independently at the mountain retreat.
Victor began cutting every connection between himself and Diego.
Accounts closed.
Phones discarded.
Consultants terminated.
North Crown's office was emptied overnight.
Elena watched the news coverage from home after doctors finally allowed her to leave the hospital.
She had moved into Alvin's house under security protection.
Her old bedroom had been converted into a temporary nursery.
She hated that Diego had driven her there.
But she loved feeling safe enough to sleep.
For three nights, nothing happened.
On the fourth, she woke at 2:14 a.m.
Her phone displayed an unknown number.
She answered without thinking.
No one spoke.
Then she heard breathing.
“Elena?”
It was Marisol.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“What happened?”
“Victor knows I talked.”
“Call the police.”
“I did.”
“They said they need more than fear.”
“What do you want from me?”
Marisol began crying quietly.
“I found something in Diego's apartment.”
“A notebook.”
“He kept dates.”
“Payments.”
“Meetings.”
“There is an entry for the night you were hurt.”
Elena sat upright.
“What does it say?”
Marisol hesitated.
“Eleven forty-five.”
“E unconscious.”
“Call V.”
Elena's skin crawled.
“Where is the notebook?”
“I hid it.”
“Where?”
Marisol whispered an address.
Then a crash exploded through the phone.
“Marisol?”
No answer.
“Marisol.”
Another sound followed.
A door opening.
Then a man's voice.
Not Diego.
May you like
“Who are you talking to?”
The call ended.
