Chapter 4: The Man Upstairs
Marcus called Vanessa’s name again.
I stood at the bottom of the basement stairs with Emma’s trust statements in my hand.
Vanessa looked terrified.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
That told me everything I needed to know.
“You knew he was coming,” I said.
“No.””
“You just said he wasn’t supposed to come until after I left.””
“I panicked.””
“About what?””
Footsteps crossed the kitchen above us.
“Vanessa?””
Marcus sounded impatient now.
Then his shoes appeared at the top of the basement stairs.
He stopped.
His face changed the second he saw me.
“Daniel.””
I almost laughed.
Almost.
“Marcus.””
His eyes dropped to the papers in my hand.
Then to Vanessa.
That tiny glance was enough.
“You two want to tell me something?””
Marcus recovered quickly.
“I came by to talk business.””
“At my house?””
“You weren’t answering.””
“My phone never rang.””
“I figured I’d stop by.””
I held up the bank statement.
“Did you figure you'd stop by for this too?””
Marcus stared at the page.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Daniel, please.””
I ignored her.
“One hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars is missing from Emma’s trust.””
Marcus frowned.
“What does that have to do with me?””
“The money went to an account with your name on it.””
His jaw tightened.
“That’s impossible.””
“Great.””
I pulled out my phone.
“Then you won’t mind explaining that to the police.””
Marcus moved down one step.
“Don't do anything stupid.””
I stared at him.
“Stupid?””
“You're angry. I understand.””
“My daughter was being starved and locked in that room.””
I pointed toward the narrow concrete space.
Marcus looked at it.
His expression didn't change.
That scared me.
“You knew,” I whispered.
“No.””
“You didn't even ask what room.””
Marcus blinked.
Vanessa looked at him.
“Marcus.””
“Shut up,” he snapped.
Silence.
Vanessa recoiled.
I had never heard Marcus speak to her like that.
Neither, apparently, had she.
“You said this was under control,” he continued.
Vanessa's mouth fell open.
I stepped between them.
“What was under control?””
Marcus realized his mistake.
“Daniel, listen to me.””
“No. You listen.””
I held up the statements.
“My daughter has bruises. There are recordings. Her money is gone. And now my business partner walks into my house asking for my wife.””
Marcus came down another step.
“We can explain the money.””
“We?””
Vanessa whispered, “Marcus, stop talking.””
I looked between them.
“How long?””
Neither answered.
“How long has this been going on?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“It isn't what you think.””
“Then tell me what to think.””
Marcus exhaled.
“Six months.””
Vanessa spun toward him.
“You idiot!””
Six months.
My mind immediately began rebuilding my life.
Business trips Marcus had scheduled.
Late dinners Vanessa had encouraged me to attend.
Weekends when Marcus needed me at conferences.
Every convenient absence.
Every coincidence.
“You were sleeping with my wife.””
Marcus said nothing.
That was answer enough.
My hand tightened around the papers.
Then something occurred to me.
“The money.””
Marcus looked away.
“You weren't just having an affair.””
Vanessa rushed toward me.
“Daniel, I can explain that.””
I backed away from her.
“Don't touch me.””
“It was supposed to be temporary.””
“You stole from Emma.””
“We borrowed it.””
“A five-year-old didn't lend you money.””
Vanessa started crying.
“We were going to replace everything.””
“With what?””
Marcus finally spoke.
“The Westbridge deal.””
I stared at him.
Westbridge was the biggest acquisition my company had ever attempted.
For eight months, Marcus and I had been negotiating to purchase a struggling logistics firm whose land holdings were worth several times its operating business.
The closing was scheduled for Friday.
Three days away.
“What about Westbridge?””
Marcus rubbed his jaw.
“We needed liquidity.””
“We?””
Vanessa whispered, “Don't.””
But Marcus was unraveling.
“You kept delaying the deal.””
“Because their numbers were suspicious.””
“They were fine.””
“No. They weren't.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“If Westbridge closes, the land gets sold within six months. Everybody wins.””
“Everybody?””
He didn't answer.
I looked at the statements again.
Emma’s money hadn't gone into Westbridge.
It had gone into an account controlled by Marcus.
“You used my daughter's trust as private capital.””
“It was temporary.””
I almost lunged at him.
Instead, I forced myself to remain still.
Because somewhere outside this house, my daughter was safe.
And I needed to stay useful to her.
“You forged my authorization.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I never touched your signature.””
My eyes moved to Vanessa.
She went still.
“Vanessa?””
She backed away.
“Daniel, you gave me access to household finances.””
“Not Emma's trust.””
“I knew your passwords.””
“That doesn't give you permission.””
“You never even checked the account!””
Her voice suddenly turned bitter.
“You had more money sitting there for a child than most adults earn in ten years.””
“It belonged to her.””
“She’s five!””
“And it belonged to her!””
The basement fell silent.
Then sirens sounded in the distance.
Vanessa looked toward the stairs.
Marcus cursed.
“You called the police?””
“My sister did.””
He turned immediately.
I moved toward the stairs.
“Where are you going?””
“I'm leaving.””
“Probably not the best idea.””
Marcus glared at me.
“You can't stop me.””
“No.””
I held up the statements.
“But I'm guessing they can.””
The sirens grew louder.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed Marcus’s arm.
“You promised me.””
He ripped his arm away.
“Not now.””
“You said we'd be gone before Daniel found out.””
My stomach dropped.
“Gone where?””
Neither answered.
Vanessa's face crumpled.
Marcus stared at her with pure fury.
I stepped closer.
“You were planning to leave?””
Vanessa began shaking.
Marcus said, “Keep your mouth shut.””
But she wasn't looking at him anymore.
She was looking at me.
“I wasn't supposed to stay here.””
“What does that mean?””
Her lips trembled.
“The money wasn't the whole plan.””
Marcus rushed toward her.
“Vanessa!””
She screamed at him.
“You're not leaving me to take the blame!””
Then she looked straight at me.
“Ask him why he scheduled your flight to Seattle tomorrow.””
My blood went cold.
I wasn't supposed to fly to Seattle tomorrow.
At least, not anymore.
Marcus had canceled that trip that morning.
He'd told me the client postponed.
“What about the flight?””
Vanessa started crying.
Marcus went pale.
May you like
She pointed at him.
“He never expected you to come back from Seattle.””
