Chapter 8 - The Shadow Investor
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By five o'clock that afternoon, we were back at the estate. Logan had called two former military colleagues—Sam and Hector—to bolster our perimeter security. They posted up near the main gate and the wooded trail behind the house.
Thomas Sterling sat at the dining room table, reviewing financial ledgers he had pulled from Ethan’s personal computer.
"You were right about Victor Vance," Thomas said, spinning the laptop toward me. "Look at these wire transfers."
I leaned over the screen. Six months ago, my father’s commercial construction company had taken a massive off-the-books loan from Vance Capital Enterprises.
"Your father put up his business as collateral," Thomas explained. "When the business went under last month, Victor Vance filed a lien. But Richard signed a fraudulent clause claiming Ethan was his corporate guarantor."
"Ethan never signed a guarantee for my father!" I insisted, anger flaring in my chest. "Ethan cut all financial ties with him two years ago!"
"It’s a forged signature," Thomas agreed. "It wouldn't hold up in a civil court. But Victor Vance doesn't operate through civil courts, Clara. He uses intimidation and force."
A sudden radio crackle cut through the quiet house.
"Logan, we got a situation at the front gate," Sam’s voice barked over the comms system. "Two dark SUVs just pulled up. They're demanding to speak with Mrs. Walker."
Logan drew his sidearm from his shoulder holster, his eyes turning cold. "Stay inside the safe room, Clara. Thomas, lock the doors."
"No," I said, stepping forward before Logan could leave the room. "I'm going with you."
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"Clara, it’s too dangerous," Logan argued.
"They think I'm a scared victim hiding behind Ethan's guards," I said, looking Logan dead in the eye. "If Victor Vance wants to talk about Ethan's legacy, he can say it to my face."
