Chapter 5 - File Nine
David refused to jump to conclusions.
The note was disturbing.
It was not proof Emma or Noah had inherited an illness.
It was not proof Claire had knowingly entered family.
Independent genetic counselor was consulted before anyone tested children.
Meanwhile attorney reconstructed File Nine.
Thomas Vale had worked summers at Bennett Meridian as teenager.
At sixteen, he became youngest documented exposure claimant after entering restricted manufacturing area during cleanup.
William paid Margaret Vale privately.
Why privately?
Thomas was not employee.
Official inclusion could have expanded liability beyond workforce.
That was first cover-up.
Years later William apparently regretted it.
He created supplemental reserve for nonemployee exposure cases.
Michael discovered it while working in accounting.
That could explain disappearance.
But not theft allegation.
Claire called her mother.
Susan Lawson was alive, seventy, living in Virginia.
At first she denied knowing William Bennett.
Then David mentioned photograph.
Susan became silent.
“Mom?”
Claire’s voice shook.
“Why were you with William?”
Susan whispered:
“Because Thomas was sick.”
“What happened to Uncle Thomas?”
“He left.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“Why did William write about me?”
Susan began crying.
“I prayed you would never marry into that family.”
Claire went still.
“You knew David when I met him?”
“Not personally.”
“You knew his name.”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing?”
“I thought past was finished.”
David leaned closer to speaker.
“What truth was my father supposed to tell me before Claire and I had children?”
Susan refused.
“I won't do this over phone.”
“Then we'll come.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Michael is here.”
David stood.
“What?”
Susan whispered:
“He arrived this morning.”
Alive.
Michael had gone to Claire’s mother.
David demanded speak to him.
A male voice came through.
“David.”
Twelve years disappeared.
“You let everyone think you were dead.”
“No. Everyone decided.”
“You stole from Dad.”
“No.”
“Then why run?”
“Because Dad asked me to.”
David stopped.
Michael continued:
“The $840,000 was never stolen. It was moved into medical reserve before external audit. Dad blamed me publicly because somebody on board needed to believe I’d taken records with money.”
“Who?”
“I still don't know.”
“Why come back now?”
“Because File Nine was scheduled for destruction.”
“By whom?”
“Claire.”
Claire recoiled.
“That’s impossible.”
Michael said:
“Your digital authorization is on destruction order.”
Claire stared at David.
“I never signed anything.”
Michael replied:
“I know.”
Then he said something worse.
“Neither did Emma.”
David’s blood ran cold.
“Why would Emma’s name be anywhere near corporate records?”
May you like
Michael answered:
“Because somebody created a Bennett Meridian authorization profile in your seven-year-old daughter’s name three months ago.”
