Chapter 5 - Everyone Came Downstairs
The television continued playing their recorded conversations.
Rachel reached for the remote.
I moved it beyond her hand.
“Turn it off,” she said.
Daniel stepped toward me, then stopped when footsteps crossed the floor above.
My father descended first.
He held the red box Rachel had prepared for him without knowing it. My mother followed, pale and silent. Sarah came down with tears in her eyes, carrying the documents Rachel planned to use against her.
Matthew stared at his sister as if he no longer recognized her.
Pastor Warren remained near the staircase.
Rachel looked from one face to another.
“You set me up.”
“No,” I said. “I recorded what you did in my home.”
Daniel tried to leave.
Michelle entered from the hallway and placed herself beside the front door.
“You are free to go,” she said. “But you have received notice to preserve every device and account connected to Daniel Cross Consulting.”
Daniel’s confidence disappeared.
Rachel rushed toward my parents.
“You don’t understand. Ethan has been hiding money.”
My father opened his box.
Inside were the original account statements and Rachel’s altered copies.
“The only hidden transfers went to Daniel,” he said.
Sarah held up a photograph showing Rachel inside my office with my signature files.
Rachel turned toward Daniel.
“You said those records could not be traced.”
The room became still.
May you like
Daniel stared at her.
Then he understood the camera had recorded that sentence too.
