Chapter 5 - THE HARRINGTON SECRET
Preston’s attorney stepped between us.
“My client is finished answering questions.”
I looked at Preston.
“He hasn’t answered one.”
The attorney pointed toward my face.
“You are emotionally compromised.”
I almost laughed.
Detective Bennett did it for me.
“Counselor, move.”
He hesitated.
Then obeyed.
Preston folded his arms.
“I don’t know anyone named North.”
I watched his eyes.
“You’re lying.”
“Prove it.”
Rachel stepped forward.
“I can.”
His expression changed again.
She looked at Detective Bennett.
“The transfer codes on the drive include initials.”
“What initials?”
“P.H.”
Preston smiled.
“So?”
Rachel continued.
“They also include voice authorization records.”
That smile disappeared.
For the first time, his attorney looked genuinely concerned.
“What kind of records?”
“Internal compliance recordings.”
Preston turned toward him.
“They don’t have anything.”
Rachel stared directly at Preston.
“You told your father the Arden account was clean.”
He went still.
Her voice grew stronger.
“You told him Robert was handling everything.”
Dad looked at me.
My stomach dropped.
Robert.
Rachel continued.
“You said North would take care of Nathan’s old files.”
Preston lunged toward her.
Security stopped him before he took two steps.
The entire corridor exploded with shouting.
His attorney yelled.
Preston cursed.
Rachel backed into the wall.
Dad pulled me away from the chaos.
Detective Bennett ordered Preston restrained.
When the noise finally settled, Preston was breathing hard.
His mask was gone.
The polished heir.
The charming donor.
The powerful man everyone feared.
Gone.
What remained was a frightened bully who had realized other people controlled the room.
Detective Bennett spoke quietly.
“You just attempted to attack a witness in front of six officers.”
Preston said nothing.
His attorney looked like he wanted to disappear.
I approached him.
“Where is Robert Arden?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who is North?”
“I don’t know.”
“What happened to Nathan?”
That did it.
His eyes met mine.
There was recognition there.
Not guilt.
Knowledge.
“You know what happened to my brother.”
Preston’s jaw tightened.
“I was nineteen.”
Nobody moved.
Dad stepped forward.
“What?”
Preston immediately realized he had said too much.
His attorney grabbed his arm.
“Stop talking.”
Dad looked terrifyingly calm.
“What happened when you were nineteen?”
“I said nothing.”
“You said you were nineteen.”
Preston stared at the floor.
Dad’s hands curled into fists.
“Were you there?”
Preston’s attorney shouted.
“Do not answer.”
Preston finally looked at my father.
“No.”
Dad’s voice cracked.
“Were you there when my son died?”
“No.”
“But you know who was.”
Preston looked away.
That was an answer.
Detective Bennett signaled two officers.
“Take him downstairs.”
Preston resisted.
“Where?”
“Private holding room until we finish sorting witnesses.”
“You can’t—”
“You’re under arrest for assault.”
The words hit him like a physical blow.
His friends watched from across the ballroom.
Nobody came forward.
Nobody lifted a glass.
Nobody laughed.
Preston was escorted away.
As he reached the staircase, he turned.
“Emily.”
I looked at him.
His face was pale.
“If you open that drive, people you love are going to die.”
Dad moved toward him.
Police blocked the way.
Preston disappeared downstairs.
Rachel whispered.
“He’s terrified.”
“Of prison?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Of North.”
Marcus approached us.
“We found Robert.”
Dad turned sharply.
“Where?”
Marcus looked toward the west wing.
“Inside Nathan’s old bedroom.”
My heart stopped.
That room had been sealed for six years.
Dad had refused to change anything inside.
No staff entered without permission.
No guest even knew it existed.
We ran.
The bedroom door stood open when we arrived.
Robert lay on the floor beside Nathan’s old desk.
He was alive.
Barely.
Paramedics rushed past us.
His shirt had been cut open.
A deep purple bruise covered his ribs.
Dad knelt beside him.
“Robert.”
My uncle’s eyes opened.
“Jonathan.”
“Who did this?”
Robert struggled to breathe.
Then he saw me.
His eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry, Emily.”
“For what?”
His hand closed weakly around my wrist.
“Nathan found out.”
I crouched beside him.
“Found out what?”
Robert began crying.
“I gave them the code.”
Dad stared at his brother.
“What code?”
May you like
Robert looked at him.
“The code that killed your son.”
