Chapter 12 - THE RECORDING THAT CHANGED THE CASE
The recording was reviewed by investigators.
It contained a heated argument between Victor and Julian Vale.
Victor accused Julian of mishandling payments.
Julian accused Victor of using company accounts to hide unauthorized transfers.
Then Victor said something that made my blood run cold.
"Alexander should have left the matter alone."
Julian answered:
"He was going to expose us."
Victor replied:
"And now his daughter is doing the same thing."
There was a pause.
Then Julian said:
"We should have dealt with the archive months ago."
The recording did not prove my father had been murdered.
But it showed that the Vales knew about his investigation and were trying to suppress the evidence.
Investigators expanded their inquiries.
Weeks later, Julian was arrested in connection with the theft of the archive and related financial offenses.
Victor faced a separate investigation into the alleged fraud.
The authorities examined years of transactions.
Several executives cooperated.
Others resigned.
The scandal spread across Europe.
Cassandra issued a public apology for the assault on the yacht.
She also acknowledged that she'd lied about owning the vessel.
Her sponsors suspended their partnerships.
Her social media audience turned against her.
But the consequences that mattered most were legal and personal.
She had to face what she'd done without the protection of her family's reputation.
One evening, Adrien called me.
"Miss Marlowe."
"Captain."
"There's something you should know."
I looked up.
"What?"
"We recovered the stolen archive."
My heart stopped.
"Where?"
"Investigators found it among Julian's belongings."
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered:
"Thank you."
Adrien paused.
"Your father would be proud of you."
May you like
Tears filled my eyes.
"I hope so."
