The Second Ledger
Chapter 07 - The Second Ledger
Thomas Prescott had once been an accountant for Hale International.
Long before he became wealthy himself, he had worked directly under Charles.
He discovered secret payments to contractors.
Money moved through shell companies.
Safety inspections purchased.
Reports altered.
Thomas kept copies.
But when he prepared to expose Charles, someone broke into his house.
His wife was pregnant with Madeline.
A note appeared on their kitchen table.
Think about your family.
Thomas became silent.
For nineteen years.
Nathan stared at the flash drive.
“You knew?”
Thomas nodded.
Madeline’s eyes filled with tears.
“You let me marry into this family?”
“I thought Charles no longer controlled anything.”
“You thought?”
Thomas looked ashamed.
“I wanted to believe it was over.”
Claire understood then.
This story was filled with people who had wanted to believe uncomfortable things would disappear if they waited long enough.
They never did.
Nathan inserted the flash drive into the library computer.
Hundreds of documents appeared.
Bank transfers.
Construction contracts.
Emails.
And one audio recording.
Thomas clicked it.
Robert Bennett’s voice filled the room.
“If anything happens to me, Charles Hale is responsible.”
Claire covered her mouth.
Then another voice appeared on the recording.
A woman.
Victoria.
Claire slowly turned toward her.
May you like
Because on the recording, Victoria said something none of them expected.
“Robert, take Claire and leave tonight.”
