Chapter 8 - THE EVIDENCE HIDDEN IN THE BLUE FOLDER
Emily remembered the folder three days later.
It had been in her mother's belongings.
Blue.
Worn at the corners.
Filled with old papers Emily had never understood.
She had stored it in a box beneath her bed.
Alexander accompanied her to the small apartment she shared with Sophie.
They entered with police approval after officers had completed their initial examination.
Emily knelt beside the bed.
Pulled out the box.
And found the folder.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside were financial statements.
Internal memos.
And copies of contracts bearing Charles Sterling's signature.
Alexander stared.
He recognized several project names.
Developments that had lost millions.
Contracts that had been approved despite warnings.
Payments routed through companies that no longer existed.
Emily looked at him.
“What is all this?”
Alexander swallowed.
“Evidence of financial misconduct.”
Emily stared.
“My mother knew?”
He nodded.
“She was investigating it.”
Emily looked down.
Then found a letter.
Her mother's handwriting.
Emily,
If anything happens to me, please don't trust Charles Sterling.
I tried to report what I found. They told me to stay quiet.
I kept copies because I was afraid the originals would disappear.
Protect Sophie.
And remember that telling the truth is never something to be ashamed of.
Emily began crying.
Alexander sat beside her.
He didn't touch her until she reached for his hand.
Then he held it.
May you like
And for the first time, Emily understood that her mother's death had left behind more than grief.
It had left behind a secret powerful people were desperate to bury.
