Chapter 4 - The Price of Silence
Lena told me to preserve the envelope and report the threatening message. I did both. The store's security staff saved the relevant entry footage, and Marta refused to let me travel home alone until we had a practical safety plan.
Thomas called that evening.
“I heard about the photograph.”
“From whom?”
“Daniel.”
“You don't get to tell me not to worry.”
“I wasn't going to.”
He paused.
“I should have taken your calls when we separated.”
“Yes.”
“I believed you wanted nothing more to do with me.”
“That was convenient for you, wasn't it?”
He had no answer.
The next day, Lena obtained copies of the divorce correspondence. My original letter reporting the pregnancy had reached the correct law office. Someone later recorded it as withdrawn, even though I had never withdrawn it.
The altered entry traced back to an administrative account used by Sarah's team.
Lena explained that this did not establish every person's intent, but it gave us a concrete issue to investigate.
Sarah contacted me through her attorney. She wanted to give a statement.
I was reluctant to see her, yet I agreed to an attorney-managed interview.
“I knew you were pregnant,” she admitted. “I intercepted the notice. I was afraid Thomas would go back to you.”
“And the money?”
“Vincent said the settlement reserve needed to be moved temporarily for a confidential investment.”
“Did you know my signature was forged?”
She hesitated.
“I knew you weren't there when the paperwork was completed.”
Lena recorded the admission through the agreed process.
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Before leaving, Sarah looked at me with frightened eyes.
“Vincent has been using more than your name,” she said. “He's been using Thomas's company as collateral for deals the board doesn't know exist.”
