Chapter 3 - The Name on Daniel's DeskDaniel slept less than two hours.
At three in the morning he sat alone in his study, staring at the dark reflection of the pool outside.
He could still hear Emma screaming.
He could also hear the sound of his hand striking Sofia.
His phone contained a message from her.
Mr. Whitmore, I am relieved Emma is safe. I did not cause her fall. I heard the splash, ran to the pool and pulled her out. I understand you were frightened, but what happened afterward was wrong.
Daniel typed an apology.
Deleted it.
Typed another.
Deleted that too.
Words seemed useless.
The next morning he drove into Boston.
Whitmore Development Group occupied four floors of a restored brick building in Back Bay. Daniel's father, Richard Whitmore, had founded the company three decades earlier with one modest commercial property.
Now the company owned or managed dozens of properties throughout New England.
Daniel had always prided himself on knowing what happened inside his business.
That confidence disappeared when his chief financial officer, Laura Chen, entered carrying several invoices.
"We have a payment authorization problem."
Daniel took the folder.
"Bellmont Advisory?"
"Yes."
He read the figure.
"$1.8 million?"
"It's pending."
"For what?"
"Strategic asset restructuring."
"I never approved this."
Laura watched him carefully.
"Your executive authorization is attached."
Daniel examined the digital signature.
It looked genuine.
"When?"
"Yesterday at 10:43 a.m."
Daniel remembered exactly where he had been.
Cambridge.
A lender meeting.
"Stop the payment."
"I already placed a hold."
"Good."
Laura remained seated.
"There's more."
Daniel looked up.
"Bellmont has received previous payments."
She showed him three invoices.
$85,000.
$145,000.
$210,000.
Different subsidiaries.
Different descriptions.
All vague.
Daniel stared.
"Who approved these?"
"Two contain your authorization."
"I didn't authorize them."
"I believe you."
Daniel leaned back.
"Who owns Bellmont?"
"Adrian Bell."
Daniel went still.
He knew Adrian.
Vanessa had introduced them almost two years earlier at a charity dinner.
She described him as an old family acquaintance and investment consultant.
Adrian had later proposed reorganizing several Whitmore properties.
Daniel rejected the plan.
The management fees were excessive.
The valuations made little sense.
"What has Bellmont actually delivered?" Daniel asked.
Laura opened another document.
"That's part of the problem. The work product is minimal."
Daniel picked up his phone.
"Call Rebecca."
Rebecca Shaw had been the company's outside attorney for twelve years.
She arrived within an hour.
After reviewing the records, she said, "Preserve everything."
Daniel nodded.
"Someone forged my approval."
"Possibly."
"Possibly?"
"Or compromised credentials. We establish facts before accusations."
Daniel appreciated her discipline, even if he hated waiting.
Rebecca asked, "Who knows your passwords?"
"My executive assistant has limited access."
"Anyone else?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Vanessa knows some."
Rebecca's expression did not change.
"Do not confront her."
"I'm not accusing my wife."
"Good."
Daniel looked at the invoices.
"She knows Adrian."
"How well?"
"I don't know anymore."
That sentence surprised him.
His phone buzzed.
Helen had sent a message.
Mrs. Whitmore is pressuring Sofia to resign.
Daniel stared.
A second message followed.
Please speak to Sofia before anyone makes decisions.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Two crises.
One at home.
One at work.
He still had no reason to connect them.
Across town, Vanessa sat inside a car speaking to Adrian Bell.
"The transfer was stopped," Adrian said.
Vanessa looked out the window.
"Daniel found it?"
"Someone did."
"What happens now?"
"That depends on what else he finds."
She clenched her jaw.
"You said the restructuring was safe."
"It was supposed to be authorized."
"You told me his electronic approval would be enough."
Adrian's voice hardened.
"Choose your words carefully."
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"You encouraged this."
"I encouraged you to secure your financial position. I did not encourage stupidity."
She almost ended the call.
Then Adrian asked, "What happened at Halloween?"
"Nothing."
"Do not lie to me."
Vanessa said nothing.
"The maid is suddenly a problem, Daniel is distracted, and you're calling me in panic. What happened?"
"Emma fell into the pool."
Adrian became quiet.
"Is she okay?"
"Yes."
"How did she fall?"
Vanessa stared at her reflection in the window.
"She was being difficult."
"Vanessa."
"I pushed her."
The silence that followed felt endless.
"You did what?"
"It wasn't supposed to be dangerous."
"She's two years old."
"She was near the edge."
"That's worse."
"Don't judge me."
"I'm trying to understand how much exposure we have."
"The maid didn't see the actual push."
"Anyone else?"
"No."
"Cameras?"
Vanessa's face changed.
She remembered the black device beneath the awning.
Months earlier Adrian had suggested that household security expenses be reviewed as part of an "asset protection assessment."
He had received temporary access credentials.
"There's a camera."
"Was it working?"
"I don't know."
"Find out."
Vanessa looked back toward the mansion in the distance.
"If there's video—"
"Then your financial problem is no longer your biggest problem."
The call ended.
Daniel, meanwhile, was driving home.
He had finally sent Sofia a reply.
I need to speak with you. I was wrong to strike you. I will not make any employment decision until I hear your account.
He stared at the message after sending it.
It was inadequate.
But it was a beginning.
What Daniel did not know was that Vanessa was already planning to ensure Sofia never had the chance to become believable.
May you like
And the first step was simple.
Make everyone remember Sofia as the dangerous woman beside the pool.
Related Stories
