Helen gathered the
documents.
“We contact federal investigators now.”
Vivian nodded.
“No private settlement. No internal review.”
Jason looked at her.
She held his gaze.
“Proper channels,” she said. “All of it.”
By afternoon, the contents of Locker 314 had been transferred into official custody.
Leonard Vale was located before midnight at a private airport outside New York. The financial records, Mara’s recording, and archived security communications were enough to prevent his departure.
Mara Ellis was found two days later in Lisbon.
Through her attorney, she agreed to return voluntarily and cooperate.
Her testimony revealed that Vale had used the confusion after Ethan’s accident to erase records, discredit my father, and pressure the Thornton board into expanding his authority.
The driver who had forced the silver car from the road had been paid to cause a minor collision and retrieve a document bag. He had not known Ethan was inside or that the
