Chapter 5 - Amelia's Rule
Marcus did not open the envelope right away.
That surprised everyone, including him.
For nearly two years he had lived with Amelia's absence like a locked room inside his chest. He went to work, raised his son, signed documents, smiled for cameras, and never entered that room unless he had to.
Now Amelia's handwriting was in his hand.
Brooks said gently, "You don't have to read it in front of us."
Marcus looked at Elena.
"Did you read it?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because it wasn't mine."
Victoria laughed from the doorway.
"How noble."
Brooks turned. "You were told to remain in the library."
"This is my home."
"Not for the next five minutes. Officer."
A patrolman escorted Victoria back.
Marcus finally broke the seal.
The letter was short.
Marcus,
If Elena gives you this, something happened that made her afraid to trust the normal channels. Believe her long enough to check. That is all I am asking.
Grant has been moving information around me. I cannot prove why. I found vendor invoices that do not match work completed at the house or at the foundation. I am sending copies to an outside accountant.
Do not confront anyone until you know where Leo is.
And please remember my rule: if everyone in the room agrees too quickly, look for the person who arranged the room.
Love,
Amelia
Marcus read the last line twice.
Brooks asked, "What invoices?"
Elena pointed to the red folder.
"I never saw them."
Marcus folded the letter carefully.
"The foundation accountant died last year."
"Natural causes?" Brooks asked.
"Cancer."
"Anyone else know about this?"
Marcus thought.
"Amelia's attorney. Maybe."
He called from the laundry room.
The attorney, Rachel Kim, answered on the third ring.
"Marcus? It's after midnight."
"Did Amelia ever give you concerns about Grant Mercer?"
Silence.
Then Rachel said, "Where are you?"
"Home."
"Is Leo with you?"
Marcus's eyes met Elena's.
It was the same question Amelia had warned about.
"He's with police at St. Catherine's."
Rachel exhaled.
"Good. Don't move him without telling me."
"Rachel, what is going on?"
"Two months before Amelia died, she created a sealed instruction package. I was authorized to open it only if three things happened."
"What things?"
"A threat to Leo. Evidence of internal security tampering. And Elena Reyes asking for outside help."
Nobody spoke.
Marcus tightened his grip on the phone.
"All three happened tonight."
Another silence.
Then Rachel said, "I'm coming to you."
"What's in the package?"
"I don't know."
"You just said you're her attorney."
"I know what the package does, not what it contains. Amelia designed it that way."
"What does it do?"
Rachel's answer changed the temperature of the room.
"It temporarily freezes Leo's trust, your family holding company, and every vendor tied to residential security."
Marcus stared at the wall.
Hale Group employed nineteen thousand people.
Its residential security subsidiary handled contracts for CEOs, judges, diplomats, and half a dozen members of Congress.
May you like
"Rachel," he said, "how big is this?"
"Big enough that Amelia was afraid someone inside your house would rather hurt her than let you see it."
