Chapter 7 - THE ACCOUNTANT WHO DISAPPEARED
Margaret Ellis had vanished three years earlier.
Officially, she'd retired to Arizona.
But Navy knew better.
Margaret hated the desert.
She'd once told Navy she couldn't sleep without hearing rain.
Diego's investigators located a woman living under her maiden name in a small town in Vermont.
She was sixty-two.
Widowed.
And terrified.
Navy insisted on contacting her through an attorney rather than sending armed men.
Diego agreed.
They met at a neutral office.
Margaret entered slowly.
When she saw Navy, she stopped.
"Oh, sweetheart."
Navy's throat tightened.
"Hello, Margaret."
Margaret began crying.
She crossed the room and hugged Navy carefully.
Navy stiffened at first.
Then returned the embrace.
Margaret sat.
"I thought you'd never get out."
Navy looked down.
"I almost didn't."
Diego remained silent.
Margaret glanced at him.
"You're Emilio's nephew."
He nodded.
"Yes."
She closed her eyes.
"Your uncle tried to help those children."
Diego leaned forward.
"What happened?"
Margaret took a breath.
"Arthur discovered Emilio had copied financial records."
She looked toward Navy.
"Your father arranged for someone to frame a rival organization."
Diego's jaw tightened.
"Who carried out the murder?"
Margaret hesitated.
"I don't know."
She reached into her bag.
"But I know who approved the payment."
She placed a sealed envelope on the table.
Inside were copies of financial records.
A transfer authorization.
And a handwritten note.
Diego stared.
The signature wasn't Arthur Martin's.
It belonged to Thomas Martin.
Navy looked at her brother's signature.
For a moment, the room blurred.
She had spent years believing Thomas was a coward.
A selfish man.
Someone who would sacrifice her to save himself.
But this was worse.
He hadn't merely looked away.
He had participated.
Diego looked at Navy.
"I'm sorry."
She stared at the paper.
Then whispered:
"Don't be."
He frowned.
May you like
Navy looked up.
"Now we know."
