Chapter 6 - THE FRIEND INSIDE THE VAN

Federal agents traced the Silverline vehicle to an abandoned Crosshaven resort under renovation.

The hotel had been closed for eighteen months.

No active cameras were registered.

Victor’s security company controlled the site.

A tactical team entered through the service level.

They found Graham inside a laundry transport van.

His wrists were tied.

A sedative line had been taped to his arm.

Beside him were psychiatric transfer papers.

The documents described him as suicidal and dangerous.

Dr. Lucas Arden had signed the order.

Graham regained consciousness in the hospital.

Damien watched through a secure video connection.

His friend looked old.

Ashamed.

“I’m sorry.”

Damien said nothing.

Graham continued.

“I approved the transfers.”

“How much?”

“Thirty-four million from pensions.”

“Another twenty-one million from development reserves.”

“Did you keep any?”

“Four million.”

“Did you know about Alice?”

Graham closed his eyes.

“I knew Victor threatened her.”

“Did you know she died because of him?”

“Not at first.”

“When did you know?”

“Two years ago.”

“What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

Damien leaned back.

The simple answer hurt more than a complicated excuse.

Graham explained that Victor first approached him after a failed investment.

Graham owed six million dollars.

Victor paid the debt.

Then he demanded approvals.

The first transfer looked temporary.

The second looked easier.

After that, Graham belonged to the conspiracy.

He helped create false board reports.

He signed medical statements describing Damien’s confusion.

He arranged trips that kept Damien away from the estate.

“What trips?”

“Tokyo.”

“London.”

“Dubai.”

“There were no emergencies?”

“Some were real.”

“Most were exaggerated.”

Damien thought about years spent inside airports while Celeste controlled the home.

They had not merely used his absence.

They had manufactured it.

Graham began crying.

“Victor was going to kill me.”

“He said I had become unreliable.”

“You were going to testify?”

“Yes.”

“Why now?”

“Nora emailed me.”

She sent him one line.

Alice kept the original ledger.

Graham understood the conspiracy could no longer be buried.

He copied the accounts and contacted federal investigators.

Victor discovered the plan.

The transfer van was meant to remove him permanently.

Graham agreed to cooperate.

He would still face prison.

His testimony would not restore the friendship.

Damien told him that plainly.

“I understand,” Graham said.

“No.”

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“You understand numbers.”

“You will have to learn what betrayal costs.”