Chapter 15 - RICHARD'S CONFESSION
Richard asked to speak privately with Clara that night.
They sat inside the hospital family room.
He closed the door.
“There is something I have not told investigators.”
Clara’s expression hardened.
“You should probably start.”
“After Arthur died, I received a report.”
“What report?”
“The mechanic who first examined the helicopter wreckage found evidence of deliberate interference.”
Clara stared.
“You said there had been a dispute.”
“I minimized it.”
“Why?”
Richard rubbed both hands over his face.
“Because Crowe brought me photographs.”
“What photographs?”
“Arthur meeting with federal investigators.”
“So?”
“He told me Arthur had been secretly cooperating against Sterling Energy.”
Richard looked ashamed.
“He convinced me that reopening the crash investigation could trigger a federal inquiry into the company.”
Clara understood.
“You chose the company.”
“Yes.”
“Over your dead son.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
The word filled the room.
Clara wanted to despise him.
Part of her did.
But she also saw something Eleanor and Crowe had never shown.
Remorse without excuses.
“I signed the settlement.”
Richard continued.
“I paid the mechanic.”
“I authorized sealing our private investigation.”
“And I never asked another question.”
“You helped them hide Arthur’s murder.”
“Yes.”
“Will you tell the police?”
“I already called Reeves.”
Clara looked at him.
“Why tell me first?”
“Because Leo may never forgive me.”
“That is his decision.”
“I know.”
Richard reached into his coat.
He removed an old brass key.
“Arthur gave me this before he died.”
Clara frowned.
“For what?”
“He said I would know when I deserved to use it.”
“You waited six years?”
“I forgot it existed until today.”
The key opened a private vault inside Sterling Energy’s original headquarters.
Richard had never entered it.
The following morning, police accompanied him.
Inside were Arthur’s final files.
Bank records.
Audio recordings.
Corporate documents.
And one sealed envelope.
RICHARD.
His hands shook as he opened it.
Dad,
If you're reading this, I was right or I was afraid enough to be wrong.
Either way, I need you to do something you have never been good at.
Choose a person over the company.
Choose Leo.
Richard stopped reading.
Everyone waited.
Then he continued.
I know what Eleanor has done.
I also know she is not working alone.
Crowe follows money.
Eleanor follows power.
But somebody else created the system they are using.
Someone inside Sterling Energy.
Someone you trust more than either of us.
Clara’s stomach tightened.
May you like
Arthur had named another conspirator.
But the next page was missing.
