Chapter 6 - THE COUSIN AT THE HOSPITAL
Sebastian arrived at Harrington Tower the following morning wearing a charcoal suit and silver-capped shoes.
He entered Ethan’s temporary medical office carrying coffee.
“I heard about the asthma attack.”
Ethan watched him carefully.
“From whom?”
“Rebecca.”
Rebecca had told him nothing.
Sebastian placed the coffee on the desk.
“You should take the week off.”
“The board can handle the merger vote without you.”
Ethan leaned back.
“The merger vote is tomorrow.”
“Exactly.”
“You nearly died.”
“That would have been convenient.”
Sebastian’s smile faded slightly.
“What does that mean?”
“My office camera failed.”
“My watch was cut.”
“My backup inhaler disappeared.”
“You think someone attacked you?”
“I think someone wanted my death to look natural.”
Sebastian glanced toward the blue inhaler.
Then he looked away.
The movement lasted less than a second.
Ethan noticed.
“The housekeeping child saw a man in silver shoes near my office,” he said.
Sebastian laughed.
“A toddler?”
“She saved my life.”
“And now you believe she can identify an assassin?”
“I believe children notice what arrogant adults assume is invisible.”
Sebastian’s face hardened.
“Maria Delgado brought a child into a restricted building.”
“She should have been fired.”
“Why do you know her name?”
Silence entered the room.
Sebastian recovered quickly.
“Denise sent a report.”
Ethan pressed the intercom.
“Rebecca, bring me every message Denise sent Sebastian this month.”
Sebastian stood.
“This is ridiculous.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Sit down.”
For eleven years, Sebastian had served as Ethan’s closest corporate adviser.
He helped expand Harrington Industries from regional logistics into a global company.
He stood beside Ethan at Conrad’s funeral.
He encouraged Ethan never to search for Ava.
He said some wounds healed only when ignored.
Now Ethan understood why.
Sebastian remained standing.
“You are allowing grief to make you irrational.”
“No.”
“Grief made me obedient.”
“The evidence is making me careful.”
Rebecca entered.
She carried a printed message log.
Denise had contacted Sebastian seventeen times that morning.
One message had been sent six minutes before Ethan’s asthma attack.
The child is on thirty-eight.
The office is clear.
Sebastian looked toward the door.
Two federal investigators stepped into the room.
Ethan had contacted the authorities before the meeting.
Sebastian smiled coldly.
“You have no idea what you are doing.”
May you like
Ethan held up Ava’s letter.
“For the first time in eleven years, I do.”
