My Father-In-Law Gave Me A 40-Page File And 3 Days To Resign — Then I Checked The Letterhead…
Chapter 7
Daniel couldn’t breathe.
“My father?”
The photograph showed Thomas standing outside a cabin.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
The date was six years after the official record of his death.
Claire searched the file.
“My mother too.”
Another photograph appeared.
Claire’s mother, Susan, sitting at the same cabin.
Daniel looked at her.
“They knew each other.”
Claire nodded.
“Maybe they were hiding together.”
“From Victor?”
“Probably.”
The warehouse computer contained no location data.
Only photographs.
And a recorded message from Thomas.
Daniel pressed play.
His father’s voice filled the room.
“My son.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I know you were told I died.”
“I needed you to believe it.”
“Because Victor was watching you.”
Thomas explained that he had discovered a network worth hundreds of millions.
Richard tried to expose it.
Susan helped.
Victor found out.
The two men disappeared into hiding.
But they were never able to safely contact Daniel.
“Why come back now?” Daniel asked the recording.
Thomas’s message answered.
“Because Richard told me he was dying.”
“He wants the truth exposed.”
The recording ended.
Daniel stared at the blank screen.
Richard had known.
He had kept Thomas alive.
That meant Richard had been protecting Daniel all along.
Then why the three-day ultimatum?
Because Victor had found out.
Claire looked at Daniel.
“We need to find my father.”
“Where?”
She checked the warehouse records.
One file showed a monthly payment for a remote property.
The payer was R-41 Holdings.
The property was in the mountains.
They left immediately.
The cabin was hidden behind pine trees.
Daniel stepped through the door.
Thomas was gone.
But someone had been there recently.
Two cups.
Fresh bread.
A warm fireplace.
Claire searched the bedroom.
She found a photograph.
Her father.
Thomas.
Susan.
All together.
On the back:
We are not your enemies.
Daniel looked at the photograph.
“Who is the fourth person?”
A voice answered from behind them.
“Me.”
They turned.
Richard Hale stood in the doorway.
Daniel froze.
His father-in-law looked exhausted.
Older than he’d ever seen him.
Claire ran toward him.
“Dad.”
Richard hugged her.
She cried.
“You were hiding this from me.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“What about Daniel?”
“I was trying to keep him alive too.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Where is my father?”
Richard’s face fell.
“Dead.”
Daniel stopped.
“You said he was alive.”
“He was.”
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“Three weeks?”
Richard nodded.
“Victor found the cabin.”
Daniel clenched his fists.
“What happened?”
“Thomas was killed.”
Claire covered her mouth.
Richard looked at Daniel.
“I’m sorry.”
“You lied.”
“I know.”
“You knew my father was alive for six years.”
“Yes.”
“And you still said nothing.”
“Because every time I tried, Victor got closer.”
Daniel turned away.
Richard continued.
“Thomas left something for you.”
“What?”
“A letter.”
Richard handed him an envelope.
The paper was old.
The letterhead was the same.
Harrison Family Legal Office.
Daniel opened it.
Daniel,
If Richard gives you this, then he finally ran out of time.
Do not trust the board.
Do not trust the accounts.
Trust the person who gave you three days.
Daniel looked up.
“Why three days?”
Richard swallowed.
“Because after three days, Victor can legally seize the company.”
