Chapter 8: The Woman in the Photograph
The flash drive was too small.
That was the first thing I thought.
After all the years.
All the secrets.
All the pain.
The truth about my mother's death was stored on something smaller than my fingernail.
Nathaniel connected it to a secure laptop.
The screen showed only one file.
ELAINE_FINAL.
I stared at it.
"Play it.""
Nobody argued.
The video opened.
My mother's face appeared again.
But this time she looked different.
Afraid.
Not sad.
Afraid.
"If you're watching this," she said, "then the person who stopped me failed.""
My fingers tightened around the chair.
She continued.
"I have evidence now.""
A document appeared beside her.
"Arthur was not stealing from Corvina.""
I looked at Voss.
He lowered his head.
"He was covering something.""
My chest tightened.
"Covering what?""
My mother's voice continued.
"For years, we believed the stolen funds were disappearing through outside vendors.""
She shook her head.
"They weren't.""
The screen showed bank records.
"The money was being moved internally.""
Nathaniel leaned closer.
"These account numbers...""
He recognized them.
"What?""
"They're executive accounts.""
My mother continued.
"The person responsible had access to everything.""
A pause.
"Board records. Financial systems. Employee files.""
She looked directly into the camera.
"The person who betrayed Corvina was someone we trusted completely.""
I whispered.
"Who?""
The video froze again.
Not from damage.
A message appeared.
ENTER SECOND PASSWORD.
Nathaniel cursed softly.
"Encrypted.""
"Can you break it?""
"Eventually.""
"No.""
I looked at the photograph.
The woman beside my father.
"We need the password.""
Voss stared at the image.
Then his face changed.
"I know her.""
My head turned.
"Who?""
He took the photograph.
"This is Clara.""
"Clara who?""
"Clara Reeve.""
Silence.
Desmond's father's name.
Martin Reeve.
My husband was connected to this from the beginning.
"She was Martin's wife?""
Voss nodded.
"But she disappeared years ago.""
"Why is she with my father?""
Nobody answered.
Nathaniel's phone rang.
He stepped away.
"Yes?""
His expression changed.
"Are you sure?""
He listened.
Then looked at me.
"Desmond's attorney filed an emergency motion.""
"For what?""
"To freeze your ownership rights.""
I almost laughed.
"He thinks he can still fight?""
Nathaniel didn't laugh.
"Wren.""
"What?""
"The documents he filed include evidence claiming your acquisition was based on false information.""
My blood went cold.
"False information?""
"He claims you knew about the financial fraud before purchasing shares.""
"That's absurd.""
"Yes.""
"But?""
Nathaniel hesitated.
"But the filing includes a witness statement.""
"From who?""
He looked at the photograph.
"Clara Reeve.""
The room went silent.
I took the photograph from Voss.
"She's alive.""
Nobody responded.
"Find her.""
Nathaniel nodded.
Voss looked worried.
"Wren, you need to understand something.""
"What?""
"Clara was not just Martin's wife.""
"Then who was she?""
He looked at the photograph.
"She was your father's closest advisor.""
I stared at him.
"My father had an affair?""
"No.""
"Then why hide her?""
"Because your mother suspected Clara knew who was stealing from Corvina.""
I looked back at the frozen video.
My mother's final message.
The person who really caused the crash.
Could it be Clara?
Could it be my father?
Could it be someone else entirely?
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
"Is this Wren Ashcombe?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Clara Reeve.""
Every person in the room froze.
"Where are you?""
A long pause.
Then she whispered.
"Trying to survive.""
"Why did you file against me?""
"I didn't.""
"Then why is your name on the documents?""
Another pause.
"Because someone is using my identity.""
My grip tightened.
"Who?""
Her voice dropped.
May you like
"The same person who killed Elaine Ashcombe.""
The line went silent.
