Chapter 13 - THE LAWYER WHO OWNED THE TRUTH
“THE MAN WHO HELPED US RECOVER THE EMPIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CONTROLLING THE CONSPIRACY ALL ALONG!”
Alexandre called Isabelle immediately.
She answered on the second ring.
“Alexandre?”
“Where's Richard?”
“At the trust company. Why?”
Alexandre felt his blood run cold.
“Get away from him.”
Isabelle stood inside the secure records room, holding her father's final letter.
Richard Beaumont was speaking quietly with a trust officer near the door.
“What are you talking about?” she whispered.
“Valérie says Richard switched the black file.”
Isabelle looked toward the attorney.
He turned.
Their eyes met.
And something in his expression changed.
“Isabelle?” Alexandre said.
She lowered her voice.
“I'm still here.”
“Leave. Now.”
Richard began walking toward her.
“Miss Moreau, is everything all right?”
Isabelle forced herself to smile.
“Yes. I just need some air.”
She moved toward the exit.
Richard stepped aside.
For a moment, she thought she had escaped without alarming him.
Then he spoke.
“Alexandre has been talking to Valérie, hasn't he?”
Isabelle stopped.
Richard sighed.
“I was afraid she'd do this.”
Isabelle turned.
“Do what?”
“Try to blame me for her crimes.”
“Did you switch the folder?”
Richard looked wounded.
“Isabelle, I've spent years protecting your father's legacy.”
“That wasn't my question.”
He remained silent.
Isabelle felt her heart pound.
“Did you switch it?”
Richard finally nodded.
“Yes.”
The admission stunned her.
“Why?”
“Because the original contained information that could have endangered you.”
Isabelle stared at him.
“You had no right.”
“I know.”
“Where is it?”
Richard hesitated.
“In a secure location.”
“Then give it back.”
He looked toward the trust officer.
“Please excuse us.”
The officer left.
Isabelle suddenly realized she was alone with him.
Richard closed the door.
“Your father trusted me.”
“Then honor that trust.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“You don't understand what Étienne asked me to do.”
“Then explain it.”
He moved toward the table.
“Your father wanted the network exposed. But he also wanted to protect people who had been forced into participating.”
Isabelle nodded.
“That sounds like him.”
“Some of those people are still alive. Some have families. Some have spent decades trying to rebuild.”
“And?”
“If the entire archive becomes public without careful review, innocent people could be harmed.”
Isabelle considered his words.
That concern was legitimate.
But it didn't explain the secret substitution.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Richard looked away.
“Because I didn't trust you to understand.”
The answer hurt more than she expected.
“You thought you had the right to decide for me.”
“Yes.”
Isabelle shook her head.
“That's what Henri did. That's what Valérie did. Everyone keeps claiming they're protecting someone while taking away their choices.”
Richard looked toward her.
“You're oversimplifying.”
“No.”
Her voice strengthened.
“I'm finally understanding.”
She stepped toward the door.
“I'm taking this to Detective Carter.”
Richard's expression changed.
“Isabelle, wait.”
She turned.
He reached inside his jacket.
Her body went rigid.
But he withdrew only a small envelope.
“This is what I removed.”
He placed it on the table.
Inside was a list of names.
Not politicians.
Not executives.
Children.
Dozens of them.
Each name was accompanied by a date of birth, a false identity, and a current address.
Isabelle stared at the pages.
“What is this?”
“The children Saint Agnes relocated.”
Her eyes filled.
Richard continued.
“Some were hidden from dangerous parents. Others were separated illegally. The records don't always make clear which.”
“Why would you hide this?”
“Because if the network's surviving members obtained the list, those people could be targeted.”
Isabelle looked at him.
“Then the police need to secure it.”
Richard nodded.
“Yes.”
For the first time, he seemed relieved.
“I should have trusted you.”
Isabelle studied him.
“Are you involved in the conspiracy?”
Richard lowered his head.
“I helped create some of the legal structures. I told myself I was protecting clients. By the time I understood what was happening, people were already suffering.”
“Did you profit?”
“Yes.”
“Did you help conceal crimes?”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Isabelle felt the familiar ache of betrayal.
Another person who had chosen comfort over courage.
Another person who had waited until the truth became unavoidable.
“Then you need to tell Carter everything.”
Richard nodded.
“I will.”
But as he reached for his phone, the office lights went out.
A loud alarm sounded.
Isabelle stepped backward.
“Richard?”
He grabbed her arm.
“Get down!”
A gunshot shattered the glass beside the door.
Richard pushed Isabelle behind a heavy desk.
Another shot struck the wall.
The trust officer screamed outside.
Richard pulled a small emergency transmitter from his pocket.
“Security breach! Records room, third floor!”
Isabelle crouched beside him.
“Who is it?”
Richard's face was pale.
“I don't know.”
Then a voice came from the hallway.
A familiar voice.
“Richard. Open the door.”
Isabelle froze.
Daniel Mercer.
Richard closed his eyes.
“Oh, God.”
The voice came again.
“I'm not here for the girl.”
Isabelle stared at Richard.
Mercer continued.
May you like
“I'M HERE FOR THE MAN WHO PAID ME TO KILL ÉTIENNE MOREAU.”
End of Chapter 13.
