Chapter 8: What Was Hidden Inside the Bordeaux
Daniel walked into Edward's study as though he owned the house.
He removed his overcoat, placed it over the back of a chair, and examined the papers on the desk.
Michael immediately moved between him and the laptop.
"Don't touch anything.""
Daniel smiled.
"Still protecting evidence you don't understand?""
Nathan stepped forward.
"Start explaining.""
Daniel looked at him.
"Your father was a clever man. He knew people were stealing from him. Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong people.""
"Did you steal the money?"" Nathan demanded.
Daniel sighed.
"Some of it passed through accounts I controlled. But your father authorized the original transactions.""
Michael shook his head.
"That's a lie.""
Daniel shrugged.
"Then show them the original instructions.""
Michael said nothing.
I looked from one brother to the other.
"Enough. I want to know what was hidden inside my husband's Bordeaux.""
Daniel's smile faded.
"Edward placed something inside the original bottle's presentation case. A small metal key and a storage certificate.""
"Why?""
"Because the bottle was part of a private arrangement involving a bonded wine warehouse. The certificate identified a separate storage compartment.""
Michael frowned.
"That doesn't explain the financial trust.""
"It explains how to find it.""
Daniel opened his briefcase and removed a photograph.
It showed a wooden wine box with Edward's initials engraved on the lid.
I recognized it immediately.
Edward had shown it to me on our thirty-ninth anniversary.
He had told me it was an old family heirloom.
"Where is that box?"" I asked.
Daniel smiled.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you. It was moved to Nevada.""
Harlow suddenly spoke.
"I told you not to bring that up.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"You've made quite a mess tonight, Harlow.""
She stepped closer.
"You promised me the money.""
"And you promised to retrieve the certificates.""
"You said the bottles were safe!""
Daniel laughed.
"They were safe until you decided to smash thirteen decoys in front of twenty witnesses.""
Nathan looked at his wife.
"Decoys?""
Harlow's face flushed.
Daniel nodded.
"Edward had become suspicious. He created duplicate bottles for display and kept the originals in secure storage. Your wife discovered the arrangement and decided to destroy the evidence.""
I stared at Harlow.
"How did you know about the decoys?""
She said nothing.
Daniel answered for her.
"She found Edward's inventory notes in his study.""
Michael opened another folder.
"Then why did the warehouse records show that all thirteen originals had been removed?""
Daniel leaned against the desk.
"Because I arranged the removal.""
Michael looked furious.
"You had no authority.""
Daniel shrugged.
"Authority is a very flexible word when people are moving millions of dollars.""
I stepped toward him.
"Where is the money?""
Daniel looked at me.
"Six million dollars. A private investment portfolio. Edward established it before he died. It was intended to protect the vineyard and provide for Nathan.""
Nathan frowned.
"Then why didn't Dad tell me?""
"Because he didn't trust you to keep quiet.""
Nathan flinched.
Daniel continued.
"He believed someone close to the family was leaking information. He suspected Harlow. He also suspected me.""
Michael interrupted.
"Edward had evidence against you.""
Daniel laughed.
"Evidence that disappeared.""
I felt cold.
"What evidence?""
Daniel opened his briefcase and placed a small audio recorder on the desk.
"Edward recorded a conversation with me. It explains everything.""
Michael lunged forward.
"Don't play that.""
Daniel pressed the button.
Edward's voice filled the room.
"If you're listening to this, Daniel, then you have betrayed me.""
My knees weakened.
I hadn't heard my husband's voice in months.
The recording continued.
"I know about the missing money. I know about the false loan documents. And I know you've been working with someone inside my family.""
There was a pause.
Then Edward said a sentence that made me look at Nathan.
"Daniel, the person who gave you access to my private accounts wasn't Harlow.""
Michael looked at the floor.
Daniel stopped the recording.
I stared at him.
"Who was it?""
He smiled.
"That's the interesting part.""
Nathan stepped forward.
"Tell us!""
Daniel turned toward Michael.
"Your father's final evidence names the person who arranged every transfer.""
Michael suddenly grabbed the recorder.
Daniel pushed him away.
The device fell to the carpet.
Its battery compartment opened, revealing a folded piece of paper.
Nathan picked it up.
There were three lines written in Edward's handwriting.
The first transfer was authorized by M.R.
The second was approved by H.B.
The final beneficiary was protected by C.B.
I read the initials.
M.R.
Michael Reeves.
H.B.
Harlow Bellmont.
C.B.
Corinthia Bellmont.
My mouth went dry.
"Why is my name here?""
Michael stared at the paper.
Daniel smiled.
"Because, Corinthia, your husband believed you were the only person who could unlock the entire inheritance.""
Then he placed a small brass key on the desk.
"Your husband left you something. Something that could put all three of us behind bars.""
I looked at the key.
There was a number engraved on it.
The same number from the photograph.
And suddenly, I remembered Edward's final words to me.
If anything happens, don't open the box until Nathan is ready to hear the truth.
Nathan reached for the key.
May you like
Daniel quickly pulled it away.
"Not so fast. There's one thing you need to know about your son.""
