Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO CAME BACK
David wanted Emily and Lily moved immediately.
This time she didn't argue.
Police placed them in a secure hotel.
David stayed away at Emily's request.
Not because she blamed him.
Because she needed to think.
Richard's message was deliberate.
He wanted fear.
He wanted David to feel responsible.
He wanted Emily to distrust him.
And it was working.
Two days later, another envelope arrived at Harrison Global.
Inside was a flash drive.
Richard had recorded a video.
He sat in darkness.
"David, your father would be ashamed."
David watched without blinking.
"You let one cleaner and her kid destroy everything your family built."
Emily stood beside Detective Ramirez.
Richard continued.
"Tell Mrs. Carter that her husband wasn't a hero."
Emily stiffened.
"He took money."
The video changed.
Bank records appeared.
Twenty-five thousand dollars transferred to Daniel Carter six days before the crash.
Emily stared.
"No."
Richard smiled from the screen.
"He was going to keep quiet."
Emily left the room.
David followed.
"Emily."
"Don't."
"It may be fake."
"What if it isn't?"
"Then we find out."
She turned.
"You don't understand."
"What?"
"I spent three years telling Lily her father was brave."
"He was."
"You don't know that."
"He was going to testify."
"Maybe until someone paid him."
David stepped closer.
"People can be afraid and still be good."
Emily looked at him.
She wanted certainty.
He offered none.
That made her trust him more.
Detectives investigated.
The payment was real.
But it wasn't a bribe.
Daniel had withdrawn nearly all of it.
Then transferred it to an escrow account controlled by an attorney.
A note attached:
EVIDENCE PRESERVATION / RIVERGATE TENANT CLAIMS.
He had taken Richard's money and used it to fund legal action against him.
Emily cried when she learned.
Not because Daniel had been perfect.
Because he had been human.
Afraid.
Improvising.
Still trying.
The investigation finally located Richard through a rental property outside Cincinnati.
Police moved in.
He fled.
A pursuit followed.
Hours later, Richard was arrested at a rest stop near the Kentucky border.
No one was injured.
When David received the call, he sat down.
"It's over."
Emily stood across from him.
"Really?"
"Really."
She expected relief.
Instead she began shaking.
David moved closer but stopped before touching her.
"Can I?"
She nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her.
Emily buried her face against his chest.
It wasn't romantic.
Not yet.
It was two exhausted people finally allowing themselves to stop being strong.
Then David whispered:
"I almost kissed you."
Emily pulled back.
"That was a terrible thing to say."
"I panicked."
She started laughing.
May you like
He did too.
And somehow laughter was what changed everything.
