“Three hundred twelve million moved through shell custodians over six years.”
“That’s impossible.”
“No.”
“It’s hidden in actuarial assumptions.”
“Deferred liability.”
“Paper gains.”
“Mercer and two trustees shifted assets, replaced with internal notes.”
Adrian stared.
“Why?”
“Cash.”
“For what?”
“Acquisitions.”
“Political payments.”
“Personal accounts.”
“I never got all.”
Adrian’s heart pounded.
“You came to me.”
Julian’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Memory returned.
The last argument.
Julian in Adrian’s apartment.
Rain outside.
Papers.
He had accused Daniel of stealing.
Adrian had accused Julian of paranoia.
Their father had just suffered a minor stroke.
Adrian had said:
“You always need a villain.”
Julian had said:
“And you always need a father.”
Meaning Daniel.
Adrian had punched wall.
Julian left.
Two days later car went over guardrail.
Adrian whispered:
“I didn’t believe you.”
“I know.”
“I told you to leave.”
“I know.”
“I said if you hated company so much, disappear.”
Julian looked at him.
Adrian could barely breathe.
“I said disappear.”
Julian reached.
Adrian pulled away.
Not from him.
From himself.
“Then you did.”
“Adrian.”
“I buried you.”
“You didn’t do this.”
“I sent you out.”
Julian’s voice hardened.
“No.”
Adrian looked.
“I chose road.”
“I chose to confront Mercer.”
“I chose badly in some places.”
“You said cruel thing.”
“That is not kidnapping.”
Adrian’s eyes burned.
Julian continued:
“Do not give him your guilt.”
Agent Singh said quietly:
“What happened after argument?”
Julian looked at her.
“I drove to meet Thomas Velez.”
“Who?”
“Internal auditor.”
Adrian knew name vaguely.
Thomas had died same week as Julian, supposedly in separate highway collision.
Julian continued:
“He had copied custody records.”
“We met diner outside Worcester.”
“Someone followed.”
“On Route 9, SUV hit us.”
“Thomas was driving?”
“Yes.”
“Car went through barrier.”
“I woke in hospital.”
“Which?”
“I don’t know.”
“No signs.”
“Private room.”
“Sedated.”
“My head was broken.”
“Memory came in pieces.”
“Daniel visited.”
Adrian stopped.
“What?”
Julian looked at him.
“Three times I remember.”
“No.”
“First, I thought he was Dad.”
“Second, I knew.”
“He told me Thomas was dead.”
“He told me I had caused crash.”
“He said you blamed me for everything.”
Adrian’s face collapsed.
Julian continued.
“He said I had brain injury and violent delusions.”
“He brought papers.”
“Told me sign.”
“I refused.”
“What papers?”
“Guardianship.”