Chapter 9: The Trap Beneath the Hotel
My mother was staring at the photograph as though it had become a window into someone else's life.
“I've never met that man.””
I looked at her.
“Are you certain?””
She nodded.
“Ethan, I've never seen him before the photograph as though it had become a window into someone else's life.
“I've never met that man.””
I looked at her.
“Are you certain?””
She nodded.
“Ethan, I've never seen him before.””
Rochelle enlarged the photograph.
My mother stood outside a bank on Peachtree Street.
Darius was beside.””
Rochelle enlarged the photograph.
My mother stood outside a bank on Peachtree Street.
Darius was beside her, holding a folder.
The date was October fourteenth.
My mother shook her head.
“That isn't me.””
I looked again.
her, holding a folder.
The date was October fourteenth.
My mother shook her head.
“That isn't me.””
I looked again.
The woman in the photograph wore a royal-blue coat.
My mother owned a similar coat.
But there was something different aboutThe woman in the photograph wore a royal-blue coat.
My mother owned a similar coat.
But there was something different about the woman's face.
Her hair was longer.
Her posture was straighter.
And she appeared to be several years younger.
Rochelle zoomed in.
“Ethan the woman's face.
Her hair was longer.
Her posture was straighter.
And she appeared to be several years younger.
Rochelle zoomed in.
“Ethan, look at the left side of the photograph.””
I leaned closer.
A second woman was visible through the, look at the left side of the photograph.””
I leaned closer.
A second woman was visible through the bank's glass entrance.
She was carrying a shopping bag.
Her face was partially obscured.
But I recognized the coat.
It belonged to Linda Shaw.
My father's former business partner.
“That's bank's glass entrance.
She was carrying a shopping bag.
Her face was partially obscured.
But I recognized the coat.
It belonged to Linda Shaw.
My father's former business partner.
“That's Linda,” I said.
My father stood.
“Let me see.””
He studied the photograph.
Then Linda,” I said.
My father stood.
“Let me see.””
He studied the photograph.
Then he nodded.
“That's her.””
Rochelle took another screenshot.
“This may be important. The woman standing beside Darius may be impersonating Margaret or he nodded.
“That's her.””
Rochelle took another screenshot.
“This may be important. The woman standing beside Darius may be impersonating Margaret or using a photograph designed to create that impression.””
My mother looked shaken.
“Why would someone pretend to be me?””
“To make a document appear properly witnessed,” Rochelle using a photograph designed to create that impression.””
My mother looked shaken.
“Why would someone pretend to be me?””
“To make a document appear properly witnessed,” Rochelle answered.
“Or to make it appear that you were involved.””
I felt anger rising again.
Someone had used my mother's identity answered.
“Or to make it appear that you were involved.””
I felt anger rising again.
Someone had used my mother's identity.
They had made her look like an accomplice.
And now Vanessa was trying to use that fear to lure me into a hotel basement.
I looked at her message.
*COME ALONE.*
I typed a.
They had made her look like an accomplice.
And now Vanessa was trying to use that fear to lure me into a hotel basement.
I looked at her message.
*COME ALONE.*
I typed a reply.
I'm coming.
Rochelle immediately caught my wrist.
“Ethan, don't go there without a plan.””
“I'm reply.
I'm coming.
Rochelle immediately caught my wrist.
“Ethan, don't go there without a plan.””
“I'm not going alone.””
“You shouldn't go at all unless law enforcement is involved.””
not going alone.””
“You shouldn't go at all unless law enforcement is involved.””
I nodded.
“Then let's involve them.””
Rochelle made several calls.
She contacted the authorities and explained that we hadI nodded.
“Then let's involve them.””
Rochelle made several calls.
She contacted the authorities and explained that we had received a message potentially connected to an ongoing fraud investigation.
We preserved the messages and photographs.
Then we waited.
At 8:15 p received a message potentially connected to an ongoing fraud investigation.
We preserved the messages and photographs.
Then we waited.
At 8:15 p.m., my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
“Why are you calling?””
Her voice was shaking.
“Did you.m., my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
“Why are you calling?””
Her voice was shaking.
“Did you see my messages?””
“Yes.””
“Are you coming?””
“I need to know why see my messages?””
“Yes.””
“Are you coming?””
“I need to know why.””
“Because I have evidence.””
“What evidence?””
“Something that proves Darius used your mother's identity.””
“Why should.””
“Because I have evidence.””
“What evidence?””
“Something that proves Darius used your mother's identity.””
“Why should I believe you?””
“Because I don't want anyone else getting hurt.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You had months to prevent this.””
“I know.””
“You helped create the I believe you?””
“Because I don't want anyone else getting hurt.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You had months to prevent this.””
“I know.””
“You helped create the company.””
“I thought it was legitimate.””
“You admitted Darius promised you two hundred thousand dollars.””
“I know what I said!””
company.””
“I thought it was legitimate.””
“You admitted Darius promised you two hundred thousand dollars.””
“I know what I said!””
Her voice cracked.
“Ethan, please. I made a terrible mistake. But I didn't know he was going toHer voice cracked.
“Ethan, please. I made a terrible mistake. But I didn't know he was going to forge your signature or involve your parents.””
“Then why did you let him?””
She began crying.
“Because he threatened me forge your signature or involve your parents.””
“Then why did you let him?””
She began crying.
“Because he threatened me.””
I went still.
“What?””
“Darius told me he had evidence of something I did years ago. He said if I didn't cooperate, he.””
I went still.
“What?””
“Darius told me he had evidence of something I did years ago. He said if I didn't cooperate, he would send it to my family.””
“What evidence?””
She hesitated.
“Something from my past.””
“Be specific.””
“I can't explain over the phone.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She motioned would send it to my family.””
“What evidence?””
She hesitated.
“Something from my past.””
“Be specific.””
“I can't explain over the phone.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She motioned for me to keep talking.
“Then tell me this. Did you create the Carter Family Trust?””
“No.””
“Did you sign the agreement?””
“No.””
“Your signature for me to keep talking.
“Then tell me this. Did you create the Carter Family Trust?””
“No.””
“Did you sign the agreement?””
“No.””
“Your signature is on it.””
“I know. He copied it from another document.””
“Why would he need your signature is on it.””
“I know. He copied it from another document.””
“Why would he need your signature?””
“Because he wanted me listed as the beneficiary coordinator.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Vanessa, what did you actually do?””
“I introduced him?””
“Because he wanted me listed as the beneficiary coordinator.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Vanessa, what did you actually do?””
“I introduced him to Gregory. I gave him information about your properties. I helped arrange meetings. I thought he was going to make a legitimate offer.””
“And the money?””
to Gregory. I gave him information about your properties. I helped arrange meetings. I thought he was going to make a legitimate offer.””
“And the money?””
“He said I'd receive a commission.””
“You were being paid to help him take my company.””
“I didn't understand the full plan!””
I closed“He said I'd receive a commission.””
“You were being paid to help him take my company.””
“I didn't understand the full plan!””
I closed my eyes.
“Then what happened?””
She whispered, “Gregory told me the company had already lost more than half my eyes.
“Then what happened?””
She whispered, “Gregory told me the company had already lost more than half a million dollars. He said nobody would notice another transfer.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She wrote something down.
“Did you know about the missing money?””
“Not at first a million dollars. He said nobody would notice another transfer.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She wrote something down.
“Did you know about the missing money?””
“Not at first.””
“When did you find out?””
“About two months ago.””
“And you continued?””
Vanessa went silent.
I didn't need.””
“When did you find out?””
“About two months ago.””
“And you continued?””
Vanessa went silent.
I didn't need her answer.
Finally, she said, “Darius told me the money would be returned after the property sale her answer.
Finally, she said, “Darius told me the money would be returned after the property sale.””
I felt sick.
“Why did you stay with him?””
“Because I was scared.””
“Of what?””
“He had recordings..””
I felt sick.
“Why did you stay with him?””
“Because I was scared.””
“Of what?””
“He had recordings. Messages. Documents. He said he could make it look like I planned everything.””
I stared at the wall.
“Did you?””
“No!””
Messages. Documents. He said he could make it look like I planned everything.””
I stared at the wall.
“Did you?””
“No!””
Her answer was immediate.
Then she whispered, “Not everything.””
I took a breath.
“What does that mean?””
“I wanted theHer answer was immediate.
Then she whispered, “Not everything.””
I took a breath.
“What does that mean?””
“I wanted the money. I wanted the lifestyle. I wanted to leave my old life behind. But I didn't know he was going to destroy your money.
I wanted the lifestyle. I wanted to leave my old life behind. But I didn't know he was going to destroy your family.””
I said nothing.
Vanessa began sobbing.
“I know you hate me.””
family.””
I said nothing.
Vanessa began sobbing.
“I know you hate me.””
“I don't know what I feel anymore.””
“Ethan, please meet me tonight. I have something that can prove Darius is behind the forged documents“I don't know what I feel anymore.””
“Ethan, please meet me tonight. I have something that can prove Darius is behind the forged documents.””
“Why not send it?””
“Because it's a recording. I have it on a flash drive.””
“Then give it to Rochelle.””
“No. Darius.””
“Why not send it?””
“Because it's a recording. I have it on a flash drive.””
“Then give it to Rochelle.””
“No. Darius has people watching the hotel. If they find out I have it, they'll take it.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She mouthed, Ask where she is.
“Where has people watching the hotel. If they find out I have it, they'll take it.””
I looked at Rochelle.
She mouthed, Ask where she is.
“Where are you now?””
“In my room.””
“Which room?””
“Suite 814.””
“Are you alone?””
“Yes.””
A pause are you now?””
“In my room.””
“Which room?””
“Suite 814.””
“Are you alone?””
“Yes.””
A pause.
Then she whispered, “Ethan, please come before nine.””
The call ended.
Rochelle looked at me.
“We'll have law enforcement coordinate any meeting. Nobody should.
Then she whispered, “Ethan, please come before nine.””
The call ended.
Rochelle looked at me.
“We'll have law enforcement coordinate any meeting. Nobody should approach that basement independently.””
At 8:42, we received confirmation that officers were prepared to assist.
We returned to approach that basement independently.””
At 8:42, we received confirmation that officers were prepared to assist.
We returned to the hotel in separate vehicles.
My father wanted to come.
I refused.
“You've done enough,” I told him.
the hotel in separate vehicles.
My father wanted to come.
I refused.
“You've done enough,” I told him.
He looked devastated.
“I know.””
My mother touched his shoulder.
“Stay with me.””
Rochelle and I entered through the main lobby.
The ballroomHe looked devastated.
“I know.””
My mother touched his shoulder.
“Stay with me.””
Rochelle and I entered through the main lobby.
The ballroom was empty now.
The wedding decorations remained.
White flowers.
Golden candles.
A six-tier cake.
My name and Vanessa was empty now.
The wedding decorations remained.
White flowers.
Golden candles.
A six-tier cake.
My name and Vanessa's name were still displayed above the stage.
It looked like a celebration that had been abandoned in the middle of a dream.
At 8:'s name were still displayed above the stage.
It looked like a celebration that had been abandoned in the middle of a dream.
At 8:58, my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*BASEMENT LEVEL TWO. STORAGE ROOM 14.*
I showed Rochelle.
She immediately contacted the officers.
We waited58, my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*BASEMENT LEVEL TWO. STORAGE ROOM 14.*
I showed Rochelle.
She immediately contacted the officers.
We waited near the service elevator.
At exactly nine, the elevator doors opened.
A hotel employee stepped out carrying a cleaning cart near the service elevator.
At exactly nine, the elevator doors opened.
A hotel employee stepped out carrying a cleaning cart.
He looked at us.
Then he looked at Rochelle's folder.
“Mr. Carter?””
I frowned.
“Yes?””
.
He looked at us.
Then he looked at Rochelle's folder.
“Mr. Carter?””
I frowned.
“Yes?””
He handed me a small envelope.
“Someone asked me to give you this.””
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
He pushed the cart away.
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
He handed me a small envelope.
“Someone asked me to give you this.””
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
He pushed the cart away.
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Vanessa sitting in a car with Darius.
The date was November third.
Three days before the wedding.
On the back, someone had writtenIt showed Vanessa sitting in a car with Darius.
The date was November third.
Three days before the wedding.
On the back, someone had written:
*SHE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FIRST INVESTMENT.*
I looked at:
*SHE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FIRST INVESTMENT.*
I looked at Rochelle.
“What first investment?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Then the service elevator opened again.
This time, a man stepped out.
Black jacket.
Dark trousers.
Baseball cap.
He looked directly at me.
“Ethan Carter?””
I nodded.
He approached and handed me a USB drive.
“Vanessa asked me to give Rochelle.
“What first investment?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Then the service elevator opened again.
This time, a man stepped out.
Black jacket.
Dark trousers.
Baseball cap.
He looked directly at me.
“Ethan Carter?””
I nodded.
He approached and handed me a USB drive.
“Vanessa asked me to give you this.””
“Where is she?””
The man shrugged.
“She left.””
“When?””
“About twenty minutes ago.””
I looked at the USB drive.
“Did she say anything else you this.””
“Where is she?””
The man shrugged.
“She left.””
“When?””
“About twenty minutes ago.””
I looked at the USB drive.
“Did she say anything else?””
He hesitated.
Then he leaned closer.
“She said not to trust the man who brings you?””
He hesitated.
Then he leaned closer.
“She said not to trust the man who brings you the evidence.””
Before I could respond, he walked away.
Rochelle immediately called the officers.
They checked the service corridors, but the evidence.””
Before I could respond, he walked away.
Rochelle immediately called the officers.
They checked the service corridors, but the man had disappeared.
I looked at the USB drive.
“Should we open it?””
“Not here,” Rochelle replied. the man had disappeared.
I looked at the USB drive.
“Should we open it?””
“Not here,” Rochelle replied.
“We'll have it examined safely.””
We returned to the lobby.
I was about to call my mother when my phone rang.
It was Nathan.
“Ethan, something's wrong.””
“What happened?””
“We'll have it examined safely.””
We returned to the lobby.
I was about to call my mother when my phone rang.
It was Nathan.
“Ethan, something's wrong.””
“What happened?””
“Dad disappeared.””
My stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?””
“He said he needed to get some air. Mom thought he was outside, but his car is gone“Dad disappeared.””
My stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?””
“He said he needed to get some air. Mom thought he was outside, but his car is gone.””
“Did he take his phone?””
“No. It's here.””
I looked at Rochelle.
“Call.””
“Did he take his phone?””
“No. It's here.””
I looked at Rochelle.
“Call the officers. Now.””
Nathan lowered his voice.
“Ethan, there's something else.””
“What?””
“I found the officers. Now.””
Nathan lowered his voice.
“Ethan, there's something else.””
“What?””
“I found a note in Dad's study.””
“What does it say?””
Nathan hesitated.
Then he read it.
“I'm sorry a note in Dad's study.””
“What does it say?””
Nathan hesitated.
Then he read it.
“I'm sorry. I need to meet Linda before she disappears again.””
My chest tightened.
“Where did. I need to meet Linda before she disappears again.””
My chest tightened.
“Where did he go?””
“I don't know.””
I ended the call.
Then Rochelle's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“What?””
She listened for several seconds.
Then she looked at me.
he go?””
“I don't know.””
I ended the call.
Then Rochelle's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“What?””
She listened for several seconds.
Then she looked at me.
“Ethan, the police have located your father's vehicle.””
“Where?””
“Near the old transportation warehouse.””
My father had once“Ethan, the police have located your father's vehicle.””
“Where?””
“Near the old transportation warehouse.””
My father had once told me that Linda Shaw had stored equipment there before their business collapsed.
Rochelle continued.
“There's a second vehicle parked told me that Linda Shaw had stored equipment there before their business collapsed.
Rochelle continued.
“There's a second vehicle parked beside it.””
“Whose?””
She looked at the report.
“Registered to Gregory Mills.””
I felt my blood turn cold beside it.””
“Whose?””
She looked at the report.
“Registered to Gregory Mills.””
I felt my blood turn cold.
We rushed toward the exit.
But before we reached the doors, my phone vibrated.
A video had arrived from an unknown number.
I opened it.
The footage showed my father sitting in.
We rushed toward the exit.
But before we reached the doors, my phone vibrated.
A video had arrived from an unknown number.
I opened it.
The footage showed my father sitting in a metal chair inside a dimly lit warehouse.
His hands were tied.
A man stood behind him.
I recognized the voice a metal chair inside a dimly lit warehouse.
His hands were tied.
A man stood behind him.
I recognized the voice immediately.
Darius.
“Ethan,” he said into the camera.
“Your father made a mistake. And now you have a choice.””
He held immediately.
Darius.
“Ethan,” he said into the camera.
“Your father made a mistake. And now you have a choice.””
He held up a document.
“Bring the original company authorization to this warehouse by midnight, or your father pays up a document.
“Bring the original company authorization to this warehouse by midnight, or your father pays for what he did.””
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
**COME ALONE. NO LAWY for what he did.””
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
*COME ALONE. NO LAWYERS. NO POLICE.*
Rochelle grabbed my arm.
“Ethan, don't even think about going there alone.””
I looked at the video again.
My father wasERS. NO POLICE.**
Rochelle grabbed my arm.
“Ethan, don't even think about going there alone.””
I looked at the video again.
My father was terrified.
And beside him, barely visible in the darkness, was another person.
A woman.
Linda Shaw.
She stepped into the light.
Then she looked terrified.
And beside him, barely visible in the darkness, was another person.
A woman.
Linda Shaw.
She stepped into the light.
Then she looked directly into the camera and said five words.
*“Ethan, your father didn't steal.””*
directly into the camera and said five words.
*“Ethan, your father didn't steal.””*
May you like
She paused.
*“He was framed.””*
