Chapter 4 - The Digital Ghost
I didn't trust the police—not yet. If Arthur had millions of dollars in stolen trust funds, he could easily have powerful people on his payroll. I drove to a dingy cybercafe downtown, plugged the USB into a burner laptop, and waited.
The drive was password protected. I tried everything. Claire’s birthday, their anniversary, Arthur’s company incorporation date. Nothing worked. Frustrated, I typed in the name of Arthur's prized possession, his vintage boat: Seadragon.
Access Granted.
Folders spilled across the screen. Bank statements, offshore account numbers, and forged signatures. But the most horrifying file was an audio recording labeled October 14th—the night Claire died.
I clicked play.
"You can't do this, Arthur!" It was Claire’s voice, vibrant and furious. "You bankrupted your brother’s estate! That money belongs to Leo!" "Keep your voice down, Claire," Arthur hissed. "I'm going to the police tomorrow," she threatened. A loud scuffle followed. A scream. A sickening thud. Then, silence.
May you like
I clamped a hand over my mouth, sobbing uncontrollably. My brother-in-law was a monster. And now I had the proof. But before I could close the laptop, a shadow fell over my screen.
I spun around. Standing in the doorway of the cafe was a man in a dark suit, staring directly at me. Arthur's private security.
