Chapter 16 - THE WITNESS WHO REFUSED TO RUN
Arthur chose an abandoned railway station outside the city.
Claire ignored his demand that she come alone. Mara and two investigators waited nearby while Claire entered the station.
Arthur sat beneath the broken timetable board holding a leather briefcase.
He looked twenty years older than he had at their last meeting.
“I helped create Aster Vale,” he admitted. “Your father and I wanted to stop Victor from controlling the port properties. We thought a private company would let us buy them first.”
“But Victor took control of it.”
“Slowly. Through debt, favors and threats.”
Arthur explained that Lydia Kessler had introduced Damian to Claire deliberately. Damian’s marriage gave the group access to Rowan Meridian’s internal finances and Claire’s personal authorization records.
Damian had never built his empire alone.
Victor had financed him.
Lydia had guided him.
Arthur had hidden their transactions.
“Why send me the package?”
“Because Victor ordered the latest transfer. He plans to empty Aster Vale and leave you responsible for the missing money.”
Arthur opened the briefcase.
Inside were original contracts, audio recordings and a list of offshore accounts.
“This proves everything.”
A train horn sounded in the distance.
Arthur suddenly looked toward the station entrance.
A black vehicle had stopped outside.
Two men stepped onto the platform.
Investigators moved in before they could reach Arthur. The men fled, abandoning the vehicle.
Inside it, police found surveillance photographs of Claire, Mara, Rosa and Ivy’s school.
Claire stared at the photograph of her daughter.
Arthur lowered his head.
“I should have spoken years ago.”
Claire closed the briefcase.
“You will speak now.”
That afternoon, Arthur Vale entered federal custody as a cooperating witness.
By evening, Lydia Kessler had learned about his confession.
She called Claire directly.
“You have something that belongs to me,” Lydia said.
“No. I have evidence.”
May you like
Lydia laughed softly.
“Evidence only matters when you survive long enough to present it.”
