Chapter 13: The Child Richard Used as a Weapon
Daniel stared at the photograph.
The little girl had dark brown hair, a pink sweater, and a gap between her front teeth. She couldn't have been older than six.
Beside her stood Sarah, smiling at the camera with one arm wrapped protectively around the child's shoulders.
On the back, someone had written her name.
*Emily Graves.*
Daniel slowly lowered the photograph.
"How old is she?""
"Six," Sarah whispered.
"Where is she now?""
Sarah looked toward the conference room door.
"Richard has her.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What do you mean he has her? Did he take her?""
"Not exactly.""
"Sarah, I need you to explain.""
She pressed both hands against the table.
"Emily's father died before she was born. I raised her alone. When she was three, I got a job at Whitmore Holdings because I wanted access to the company's financial records.""
Helen nodded.
"That's when you started investigating Richard?""
"Yes. I found evidence that he had been stealing from the company for years. But before I could copy everything, Martin discovered what I was doing.""
Sarah swallowed.
"He came to my apartment one night. He told me he knew about Emily. He said he could make sure I never saw her again.""
Daniel's voice dropped.
"Did he threaten to hurt her?""
"He didn't need to. Richard had connections with a private family court consultant. They filed a complaint claiming I was an unstable mother who had stolen confidential documents.""
Helen's expression tightened.
"Did they obtain custody?""
"Temporary guardianship. Richard arranged for Emily to stay with a woman he called a family friend.""
Sarah began crying.
"That woman is his former housekeeper. She lives in a property owned by Whitmore Holdings.""
Daniel stood.
"We're getting her.""
Sarah shook her head.
"You don't understand. Richard has spent years making sure every document points toward me being an unfit parent. If I try to take Emily, he'll have me arrested.""
Helen opened her briefcase.
"Sarah, temporary guardianship does not give Richard unlimited authority over your daughter. We need the court orders and evidence showing how the arrangement was obtained.""
Sarah looked at her desperately.
"Can you get her back?""
"We can fight for her. But we must do this legally and safely.""
Daniel placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.
"You're not alone anymore.""
Sarah looked at him.
For the first time, she seemed to see him not as a stranger but as the little brother her father had once promised her she would meet.
"Why are you helping me?"" she asked.
Daniel frowned.
"Because you're my sister.""
"You barely know me.""
"That doesn't change anything.""
Sarah lowered her head.
Then she whispered, "Dad used to tell me that one day I'd have a brother who would make me laugh when things got difficult.""
Daniel managed a small smile.
"Sounds like Dad exaggerated.""
Sarah laughed through her tears.
It lasted only a moment.
Then Helen placed the black flash drive inside an evidence envelope.
"We need to leave. Richard knows we're here, and he knows we have something he wants.""
Sarah looked toward the door.
"There's another problem.""
"What?""
"Martin Graves has been monitoring the archive room. The original recording is scheduled to be transferred tonight.""
Daniel remembered the note.
Archive Room B. 9:30 p.m.
"Then we get there before the transfer.""
Helen shook her head.
"We cannot walk into a private corporate archive and remove evidence without authorization.""
Sarah nodded.
"I can get us inside. I'm still the director of corporate archives.""
Helen considered it.
"Then we'll coordinate with Detective Carter and obtain the appropriate legal authorization.""
Sarah glanced at Daniel.
"There's something else you should know.""
"What?""
"Richard doesn't just want the recording. He wants the original trust documents because they contain a clause that could destroy his claim to Whitmore Manufacturing.""
Daniel remembered his father's letter.
"Charlotte's inheritance?""
"Yes. But there's more.""
Sarah opened a second folder.
She showed Daniel a photocopy of an old corporate agreement.
"Your father was appointed independent custodian of Edward's original ownership records. If Richard altered or concealed those records, he could lose his claim to the company.""
Helen studied the document.
"That means James wasn't simply preserving evidence. He was protecting Charlotte's legal ownership.""
Sarah nodded.
"And after James died, Richard believed the only people who knew about the agreement were dead or too frightened to speak.""
Daniel looked at his sister.
"Except you.""
"And Charlotte.""
"Where is Charlotte?""
Sarah's expression changed.
"I don't know. Martin moved her after the warehouse.""
Daniel looked at the photograph of Emily.
"Then we need to find both of them.""
A knock sounded.
Everyone turned.
The assistant from earlier stood outside the glass door.
"Ms. Graves? Mr. Whitmore asked me to give you this.""
She placed a small white envelope on the table.
Sarah opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Emily sitting at a kitchen table.
A handwritten message was attached.
*Bring the flash drive to the old factory by midnight. Come alone, or your daughter goes somewhere you will never find her.*
Sarah covered her mouth.
Daniel immediately took the photograph.
"He's using your daughter to force you to surrender the evidence.""
Sarah nodded.
Helen reached for her phone.
"Detective Carter needs to see this immediately.""
But Sarah was already shaking her head.
"Daniel, you don't understand. Richard isn't bluffing.""
She looked at the little girl's photograph.
"Last time I refused him, he sent me a picture of Emily sleeping. Someone had been inside her bedroom.""
Daniel felt his anger rise.
He picked up the phone.
"Then we're going to end this tonight.""
Helen caught his arm.
"Not by walking into his trap.""
Daniel looked at her.
"What's your plan?""
Helen took a breath.
"We let Richard believe he's getting exactly what he wants.""
She glanced at Sarah.
"Tonight, we give him a meeting.""
May you like
Then she turned toward Daniel.
"But this time, we make sure he doesn't leave with the truth buried.""
