Chapter 4: The Holloway House
The Holloway estate stood behind iron gates and a wall of trimmed hedges.
I had visited once before.
Charlotte had invited me to dinner.
That evening, Victoria had spent forty minutes discussing private schools, charity boards, and the “right circles.””
I had spent most of dinner listening.
Tonight, no one greeted me.
The front door opened before I knocked.
Daniel stood there.
His face was tight.
“Come in.””
I entered.
Richard was waiting in the library.
Victoria stood beside the fireplace.
Charlotte sat on a leather sofa.
No one offered me a drink.
That was fine.
I hadn't come for hospitality.
I looked at Daniel.
“What did you find?””
Richard answered.
“A contract.””
He placed a folder on the desk.
I walked toward it.
The first page carried the logo of Romero Urban Design.
My company.
My signature.
And a date from nineteen years ago.
I stared at it.
“I didn't sign this.””
Richard smiled.
“That is exactly what I said.””
I looked at him.
“Then why am I here?””
“Because the contract suggests your company acquired an interest in a property controlled by my family.””
“Which property?””
“Harbor Point.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What about it?””
Richard leaned back.
“You developed Harbor Point.””
“Yes.””
“And you claimed you purchased the property independently.””
“I did.””
“Then explain this.””
He turned the page.
The document appeared to show a partnership between Romero Urban Design and Northstar Advisory.
Northstar.
Michael.
I felt something inside me shift.
“This is forged.””
Richard's smile disappeared.
“Are you certain?””
“Yes.””
“Because your signature is here.””
“Anyone can forge a signature.””
“Perhaps.””
Victoria spoke.
“Isabelle, we aren't accusing you.””
I looked at her.
“You've gathered me in your library at midnight with forged documents carrying my name.””
“I said we aren't accusing you.””
“Then what are you doing?””
Charlotte stood.
“I want the truth.””
I laughed once.
“You?””
She stiffened.
“Yes.””
“You want the truth?””
“Yes.””
“Then let's start with Northstar.””
Her face changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
Daniel saw it too.
He turned toward her.
“Charlotte?””
She said nothing.
I looked at Richard.
“Did you know your daughter was involved with Northstar?””
Richard's face hardened.
“Be careful.””
“I am.””
Victoria stepped forward.
“This is becoming absurd.””
“No,” I said.
“It's becoming interesting.””
I placed my phone on the desk.
“I have a recording.””
Charlotte went pale.
Daniel looked at me.
“Recording of what?””
I pressed play.
Charlotte's voice filled the library.
“Evan, if Isabelle Romero discovers the Northstar account, everything falls apart.””
Daniel stared at her.
The recording continued.
“Make sure she never sees the original documents.””
Silence.
I stopped it.
Nobody moved.
Daniel turned slowly toward Charlotte.
“Is that you?””
Charlotte's lips parted.
“Daniel—”
“Is that your voice?””
“I can explain.””
He stepped backward.
“You said you didn't know anything about Northstar.””
“I said I wasn't involved.””
“You told me you didn't know what my mother was talking about.””
“I was scared.””
“Were you?””
His voice cracked.
Charlotte approached him.
“Daniel, listen to me.””
He stepped away.
“Don't.””
She stopped.
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
“Enough.””
I looked at him.
“You knew.””
He said nothing.
“You knew about Northstar.””
“I knew there were financial arrangements.””
“Arrangements?””
“Your company benefited from Harbor Point.””
“My company was robbed through Harbor Point.””
Richard's face reddened.
“You have no proof.””
I smiled.
“I have eight million dollars missing.””
“That doesn't prove I took it.””
“No.””
I picked up the photograph of Michael.
“But this helps.””
Richard froze.
I watched his expression.
There it was.
Recognition.
Fear.
Guilt.
“You remember him.””
Richard said nothing.
“Michael Romero.””
Victoria looked at her husband.
“Richard?””
I turned to her.
“You didn't know?””
She shook her head.
Richard snapped, “Victoria, stay out of this.””
I looked at him.
“What did Michael know?””
“I have nothing to say.””
“What did he threaten to expose?””
“I said nothing.””
“Why was Northstar created?””
“I don't know.””
I stepped closer.
“Then why are you afraid?””
He stared at me.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Charlotte whispered, “Dad.””
Richard looked at her.
She was crying now.
“You said it was over.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What was over?””
Richard's expression changed.
“Charlotte, stop.””
“No.””
She wiped her face.
“You said Mom didn't know. You said Daniel's mother would never find out.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Find out what?””
Charlotte turned toward him.
“I didn't know it would go this far.””
“What?””
“I thought the money was being moved through legitimate investments.””
Daniel stared.
“Money?””
She covered her mouth.
Richard grabbed her arm.
“That's enough.””
Daniel stepped between them.
“Don't touch her.””
Richard released Charlotte.
Daniel turned to me.
“Mom, what is happening?””
I looked at my son.
“I don't know yet.””
Then the library doors opened.
An elderly man stood in the doorway.
He wore a dark suit and held a cane.
I recognized him immediately.
Elliot Vance.
Michael's old attorney.
He looked at me.
Then at Richard.
“I'm sorry,” he said.
“But I think it's time Isabelle knew the truth.””
Richard's face went white.
“You were told never to come here.””
Vance smiled sadly.
“I've spent twenty-three years regretting that I listened.””
He looked at me.
“Your husband didn't abandon you, Isabelle.””
My breath caught.
“What?””
Vance tightened his grip on his cane.
“Michael Romero didn't disappear because he was running from his debts.””
May you like
He paused.
“He disappeared because he was running from Richard Holloway.””
