Chapter 5 - THE LETTER HER FATHER LEFT BEHIND
Margaret arrived at Roman's club the following morning.
She carried a small leather portfolio.
Inside was a sealed envelope addressed to Genevieve.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Thomas Hayes.
Her father.
Genevieve stared at the envelope.
For eight months, she'd avoided opening the last voicemail he left her.
She couldn't bear to hear his voice knowing there would never be another call.
Now his handwriting lay in front of her.
She opened the letter.
My darling Gen,
If you're reading this, something has happened that made you question the people around you.
I wish I could have protected you from that.
But protection isn't the same as preparing you.
You are stronger than you know.
The company is yours because I trust your judgment, not because I expect you to know every answer.
If someone tells you that love requires surrendering your independence, walk away.
And if the Witmores ever pressure you to sign away control of Hayes Logistics, ask Margaret about the Blue Harbor account.
You'll know what to do with it.
Love, Dad.
Genevieve pressed the letter against her chest.
She began crying.
Roman moved toward her.
Then stopped, giving her space.
Margaret sat beside her.
"Your father loved you very much."
Genevieve nodded.
"I know."
After a while, she looked up.
"What's the Blue Harbor account?"
Margaret opened the portfolio.
"It's a secure archive your father established before he died."
"What does it contain?"
"Shipping records. Contracts. Correspondence."
Genevieve frowned.
"Why hide them?"
Margaret looked toward Roman.
"Because Thomas believed someone was using the port to move illegal cargo."
Roman went still.
"Which shipments?"
Margaret hesitated.
"Several were connected to a company called Whitmore Maritime."
Genevieve stared.
Preston's family.
Margaret continued.
"Your father discovered irregularities. He refused to approve additional access."
Genevieve felt cold.
"Then they killed him."
Margaret's eyes filled.
"I was afraid of that."
Roman looked at the documents.
Then asked quietly:
"Does the archive mention Elena DeLuca?"
Margaret froze.
Genevieve noticed.
"What?"
Margaret looked at Roman.
"Your sister?"
He nodded.
Margaret swallowed.
"Yes."
Roman's expression changed.
"Where?"
Margaret opened a folder.
Inside was a photograph.
Elena DeLuca stood beside Thomas Hayes at a shipping terminal.
The date was eleven years earlier.
May you like
And beneath the photograph was a handwritten note:
Elena found the containers.
