Chapter 6 - THE MISSING COMPANY
Northbridge Medical Logistics had once been real.
It had warehouses in three states and contracts with private clinics.
Mark invested heavily after Claudia introduced him to one of its executives.
The executive was Claudia's cousin, Adrian Wells.
According to Mark, Northbridge was supposed to triple in value.
Instead, it collapsed.
What Mark did not know was that most of the Whitaker money had never reached Northbridge.
Arthur discovered that within forty-eight hours.
The funds traveled through three limited liability companies.
Then they disappeared into private accounts.
One account belonged to Adrian.
Another belonged to Claudia.
Richard stared at the forensic report.
“She stole from Ethan.”
Arthur remained careful.
“We can prove money entered an account connected to her.”
“That's stealing.”
“It may become more complicated.”
Richard looked up.
Arthur turned another page.
Mark's electronic authorization appeared beside several transfers.
“He approved them.”
Richard felt the familiar ache return.
His own son had helped drain his child's future.
That afternoon, Mark arrived at Richard's estate.
He was not allowed inside until Dana approved a supervised conversation.
They sat in the glass sunroom.
Ethan remained upstairs with Rosa.
Mark looked exhausted.
“I want to see him.”
Richard said nothing.
“He's my son.”
Richard's eyes hardened.
“Then why wasn't he treated like one?”
Mark flinched.
“I made mistakes.”
“A mistake is forgetting a birthday.”
Richard leaned forward.
“Watching your three-year-old sit outside barefoot for nine hours is a decision.”
Mark looked down.
“Claudia said he needed consistency.”
“And you believed her?”
“I didn't know it would be nine hours.”
Richard stared at him.
Ethan had looked directly at his father and said, Dad, you knew I was out there.
Mark's version no longer mattered.
“What happened yesterday?”
Richard asked.
Mark's shoulders collapsed.
“He spilled juice on Claudia's white carpet.”
“And?”
“She put him outside.”
“What did you do?”
“I argued.”
“For how long?”
Mark didn't answer.
Richard's voice lowered.
“For how long, Mark?”
“Maybe a minute.”
“And then?”
“I had a call.”
Richard stood.
Mark's voice broke.
“Dad.”
Richard turned.
“I kept telling myself she would bring him inside.”
“But you didn't check.”
“No.”
“You ate dinner?”
Mark closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“You watched television?”
“Yes.”
“You went upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“And my grandson remained outside.”
Mark's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Richard stared at him for a long time.
Then Arthur entered the room holding his phone.
“Richard.”
Something in his expression was wrong.
“The police opened Claudia's flash drive.”
Mark looked up.
Arthur continued.
“There are videos on it.”
Richard's stomach tightened.
“What kind of videos?”
May you like
Arthur looked toward the ceiling where Ethan was sleeping.
“Videos of Ethan.”
