Chapter 5 - THE FIRST RECORDINGDaniel inserted the oldest cassette into an ancient recorder.
Static filled the room.
Then his father's voice.
“If anyone hears this, it means I failed to stop her.”
Daniel froze.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
The recording continued.
“Diane has been moving money through shell companies. She believes nobody knows.”
Daniel stared at his mother.
“She stole from Dad?”
“Not exactly,” Evelyn said.
“What does that mean?”
“She was covering someone else's debt.”
“Whose?”
Evelyn didn't answer.
The tape crackled.
Then another voice appeared.
A man's voice.
Cold.
Controlled.
“I told you what would happen if you went to the police.”
Daniel's face tightened.
“Who is that?”
Evelyn whispered:
“Marcus Vale.”
Daniel recognized the name.
Vale had once been his father's business partner.
He had disappeared from the family records years ago.
The recording ended.
Then came a final sentence.
“If Diane refuses, take the girl.”
Lily's blood went cold.
“Me?”
Evelyn grabbed her hand.
“No.”
May you like
But Daniel was already looking toward the door.
Someone was standing outside.
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