Chapter 7: The Lawyer Who Was Supposed to Be in Switzerland
"Don't let him leave.""
Daniel Carter's voice cut through the lobby.
James immediately lifted his radio.
"Security team, intercept Thomas Reed at the underground parking entrance. Do not allow him to remove anything from the building. Preserve all documents and contact the authorities if necessary.""
Victoria stared at her father.
"Thomas? That's impossible. He's been handling our family's legal affairs for nearly twenty years.""
Daniel didn't take his eyes off the security monitor.
"That's exactly why he knows where everything is.""
Emily held her sleeping daughter closer.
"Why would he be taking financial records?""
Daniel looked at her.
"Because those records may explain why someone wanted control of your trust.""
Eleanor let out an impatient breath.
"This is ridiculous. Thomas is a respected attorney. You can't accuse him of stealing because a security guard saw him near an archive.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Nobody has accused him of anything yet. But he has no authorization to access that archive today.""
Eleanor looked away.
Emily noticed.
Her grandmotherly instincts had always been strong. Even when she was exhausted, she could recognize when someone was hiding something.
And Eleanor looked frightened.
Not surprised.
Frightened.
"Dad," Emily whispered, "she knows something.""
Daniel followed her gaze.
"Eleanor, when was the last time you spoke with Thomas Reed?""
"Several weeks ago.""
"About what?""
"Business matters.""
"What business matters?""
Eleanor tightened her handbag against her side.
"That's none of your concern.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Then perhaps the police can ask you.""
Her eyes widened.
"You wouldn't dare.""
Before Daniel could respond, James's radio crackled again.
"Mr. Carter, we have him.""
"Is he carrying anything?""
"Yes, sir. A leather briefcase and two document boxes.""
"Keep him there.""
A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened.
Two security officers escorted a gray-haired man into the lobby.
Thomas Reed wore a charcoal suit and an expensive watch. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his expression showed irritation rather than fear.
He looked directly at Daniel.
"Daniel. I assume there's been some misunderstanding.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"You're supposed to be in Switzerland.""
Thomas gave a small smile.
"My plans changed.""
"Without informing anyone?""
"I don't report my travel arrangements to you.""
Daniel glanced at the document boxes.
"What's in those?""
"Confidential legal documents.""
"From whose office?""
Thomas adjusted his cuff.
"My office.""
"Your office is in this building?""
"Some of my files are stored here.""
Daniel looked toward James.
"Did he have an authorized access request?""
James shook his head.
"No, sir.""
Thomas sighed.
"This is becoming absurd. Daniel, we've known each other for twenty years. Surely you can trust me enough to explain myself privately.""
Daniel's expression remained cold.
"Twenty years of trust doesn't give you permission to remove company records.""
Thomas looked at Emily.
Then at the baby.
His expression changed.
"Emily. It's been a long time.""
Emily didn't respond.
He smiled politely.
"Congratulations on the little one.""
"Thank you.""
"Beautiful child.""
Emily watched him carefully.
"Why were you taking files from the hotel?""
Thomas looked back at Daniel.
"I can explain everything.""
Daniel crossed his arms.
"Then explain.""
Thomas hesitated.
"I was asked to retrieve documents relating to the original ownership restructuring.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"By whom?""
Thomas glanced at Eleanor.
The older woman immediately looked down.
Emily caught it.
So did Daniel.
"Thomas," Daniel said, "who asked you?""
The lawyer exhaled.
"Mrs. Whitmore contacted me yesterday.""
Victoria turned toward her mother.
"You contacted Thomas?""
Eleanor lifted her chin.
"I was trying to protect the family.""
"From what?""
"From your father making reckless decisions.""
Daniel gave a short, humorless laugh.
"By secretly removing documents?""
Thomas interrupted.
"Daniel, perhaps we should discuss the trust privately. This isn't something your daughter needs to be involved in.""
Emily's expression hardened.
"Actually, it concerns me directly.""
Thomas looked uncomfortable.
"Emily, I understand you're upset.""
"Then stop talking around me.""
She shifted her daughter into her other arm.
"Five years ago, you created a trust in my name. My father says the hotel was transferred into it. Someone just sent me a message claiming my family name was removed from the ownership records. I think I deserve an explanation.""
Thomas looked at Daniel.
Daniel nodded.
"Tell her.""
The lawyer slowly opened his briefcase.
"Five years ago, Daniel discovered that several executives had been diverting company funds through outside vendors. He wanted to protect the assets while the investigation continued.""
Emily listened.
"The trust was established with you as the sole beneficiary. Daniel remained the trustee and retained operational control.""
"Then why didn't I know?""
"Because the trust was designed to protect you from potential claims.""
Emily frowned.
"Claims from whom?""
Thomas looked at Eleanor.
She immediately snapped.
"Stop looking at me!""
Thomas continued.
"From creditors and individuals who might challenge the ownership structure.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"That's not the whole story.""
Thomas closed his briefcase.
"No. It isn't.""
He reached into his jacket and removed a folded document.
"This is a copy of the original trust amendment.""
Daniel took it.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then his expression changed.
"What is this?""
Thomas looked exhausted.
"An amendment filed three years ago.""
Emily's stomach tightened.
"What does it say?""
Daniel read the document again.
Then he looked at Thomas.
"You told me this amendment had never been executed.""
Thomas lowered his eyes.
"It was submitted.""
"Without my approval.""
Thomas didn't answer.
Victoria approached.
"What's happening?""
Daniel held up the document.
"The beneficiary designation was changed.""
Emily felt the room tilt.
"Changed to whom?""
Thomas hesitated.
Then he answered.
"Victoria Whitmore.""
Victoria stumbled backward.
"What?""
Eleanor suddenly lifted her head.
"Thomas, don't!""
But it was too late.
Emily stared at her father's face.
"Does that mean I lost the hotel?""
Daniel looked at her.
"No. Not necessarily. This amendment may be invalid.""
Thomas nodded.
"That is correct. There are serious questions about the authorization.""
Daniel turned toward the lawyer.
"Who signed it?""
Thomas looked at Eleanor.
Then he looked at Victoria.
Finally, he whispered:
"The document bears Daniel's signature. But the witness declaration was signed by someone who claimed Emily had voluntarily agreed to surrender her interest.""
Emily's voice trembled.
"Who?""
Thomas swallowed.
Then he opened the last page.
May you like
And pointed to the witness signature.
*Emily Carter.*
