Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER WHO SOLD HIS SISTER
Thomas Martin arrived at the estate on a Tuesday afternoon.
He wore a cashmere coat and the expression of a man who believed money could solve anything.
Diego met him in the library.
Navy stood beside the window.
Thomas smiled too brightly.
"Well. The happy couple."
Navy said nothing.
Thomas looked at Diego.
"I trust my sister is behaving."
Diego's expression changed.
"Behaving?"
Thomas laughed.
"You know Navy. Always difficult."
Navy folded her arms.
"Hello, Thomas."
He looked at her.
"Don't start."
Diego stepped forward.
"Watch how you speak to her."
Thomas blinked.
Then laughed nervously.
"Of course."
They sat.
Diego placed a copy of an old financial statement on the table.
Thomas's smile vanished.
"Where did you get that?"
Navy watched him.
"Recognize it?"
Thomas swallowed.
"It's company paperwork."
"Foundation paperwork," Navy corrected.
Diego leaned forward.
"Why did Arthur Martin authorize payments to facilities that no longer existed?"
Thomas looked away.
"I don't know."
Navy smiled sadly.
"Still lying."
Thomas's face reddened.
"Navy, stop."
She stood.
"No."
He stared.
"For once, you're going to listen."
Thomas looked toward Diego.
"Control your wife."
The room became silent.
Diego's expression hardened.
"Navy isn't property."
Thomas blinked.
Navy stared at her husband.
The words surprised her.
But she didn't let them distract her.
She looked back at Thomas.
"You knew Father hurt me."
Thomas's face drained.
"Navy—"
"You heard me crying."
He swallowed.
"You don't understand—"
"You knew he locked me in the cellar."
Thomas stood.
"Enough!"
Navy didn't move.
"You knew he punished me whenever I asked about the foundation."
Thomas's hands trembled.
Diego watched him.
Then asked quietly:
"Did you know about the children?"
Thomas looked at the floor.
A long silence followed.
Finally, he whispered:
"I didn't know what happened to them."
Navy closed her eyes.
"But you knew they were missing."
Thomas began crying.
"Father said it was being handled."
Navy looked at him.
"And you believed him?"
Thomas covered his face.
"I was scared."
Navy's voice remained steady.
May you like
"So was I."
For the first time, Thomas had no answer.
