Chapter 11 - THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T WHO SHE SEEMED
Helen Brooks disappeared before Roman's security team reached the apartment.
Her belongings were gone.
Her phone disconnected.
Her identification documents abandoned.
Arthur was devastated.
Margaret was furious.
Lily refused to believe it.
“Helen wouldn't do that.”
Roman looked at her.
“We have evidence.”
Lily shook her head.
“Then something's missing.”
Roman studied her.
“You think she's innocent?”
“I think you should ask why someone who needed food was moving millions of dollars.”
Roman paused.
It was a fair question.
Marco reviewed the records again.
The financial transfers had been authorized using credentials associated with Helen's former employee number.
But the transactions occurred while she was hospitalized.
Someone had used her identity.
Roman stared at the dates.
“She couldn't have done this.”
Marco nodded.
“Not personally.”
Roman turned.
“Then who used her credentials?”
Marco hesitated.
“We found a second access point.”
“Where?”
“The old Kane family office.”
Roman went still.
That office had been closed for years.
Except for one person who still had access.
His father's former personal attorney.
Charles Whitaker.
Roman remembered him.
A quiet man.
Always smiling.
Always helpful.
The man who had handled Elizabeth's death certificate.
The man who had arranged Arthur's dismissal.
The man who had told Roman that his mother was gone forever.
Roman stood.
“Find Whitaker.”
Marco nodded.
Roman looked toward Lily.
She was watching him carefully.
He approached.
“You were right.”
She smiled faintly.
“About Helen?”
“Yes.”
Lily exhaled.
Roman took her hand.
“And about something else.”
She looked up.
“What?”
“Trust.”
He swallowed.
“I've spent my life believing everyone has a price.”
Lily squeezed his fingers.
“Some people just want to be believed.”
Roman looked at her.
May you like
Then kissed her forehead.
“Thank you.”
