Chapter 8 - The Brother Nobody Trusted.
Graham Vale arrived at the house at 1:13 in the morning as if he had been invited to dinner.
He was sixty-two, silver-haired, impeccably dressed, and capable of smiling without offering warmth.
Mason watched him enter the sitting room carrying a slim leather portfolio.
"This is dramatic, even for you," Graham said.
Mason did not offer him a seat.
"You used the old study terminal."
Graham glanced at Daniel.
"Did I?"
"Your access card entered the estate last night."
"Cards can be copied."
Patricia stepped forward.
"Did you take Evelyn's trust amendment?"
Graham looked at his sister with mild disappointment.
"You always ask the wrong question first."
Clara stood near the fireplace, studying him.
Graham noticed her and smiled faintly.
"So this is Clara."
The familiarity in his voice made her uncomfortable.
"Have we met?" she asked.
"No."
"Then why do you sound like you know me?"
Graham placed the portfolio on the table.
"Because Evelyn talked about you."
Mason stepped closer.
"When?"
"Before her accident."
Patricia's eyes narrowed.
"You told me you never spoke to Evelyn about Clara."
Graham shrugged.
"I lied."
The casual admission enraged Patricia more than denial would have.
"Why?"
"Because you had already turned the matter into a family emergency."
Clara folded her arms.
"Apparently my existence has that effect."
Graham looked at her more seriously.
"Your existence was never the problem."
"Then what was?"
"The shares attached to your name."
Mason frowned.
"Clara owns no shares."
Graham opened the portfolio.
Inside was a photocopy of an old family settlement.
He slid it across the table.
"Patricia's father created a private trust decades ago."
Patricia stiffened.
"That has nothing to do with Cross Meridian."
"Not directly."
Graham tapped the document.
"But one clause grants equal inheritance rights to all biological children of Patricia Vale."
Clara stared at the page.
"Evelyn was one child."
Graham nodded.
"And if the records are accurate, you are another."
Mason looked at Patricia.
"You hid an heir."
Patricia's eyes flashed.
"I did not hide her for money."
Graham smiled.
"But money made the secret much more expensive later."
Clara looked sickened by the conversation.
"I don't want anyone's inheritance."
Graham turned toward her.
"That has never stopped other people from wanting your signature."
Mason understood.
"Northstar."
Graham's smile disappeared.
"They know the family settlement exists."
Lena leaned forward.
"How?"
Graham looked toward Patricia.
"Because someone sent them a copy."
Patricia stared at him.
"You did."
"No."
"Then who?"
Graham opened another folder.
"That is what I've been trying to determine."
Mason's patience was thinning.
"Did you take Evelyn's original amendment?"
Graham nodded.
"Yes."
Everyone spoke at once.
He raised one hand.
"I took it because someone had already replaced the copy in the family archive."
Lena stood.
"Replaced it with what?"
"A version that removes Clara's protector authority."
Clara stared at him.
"Who created the false version?"
Graham looked at Mason.
"That is the part you're not going to like."
He removed a small USB drive from his pocket.
"The document metadata says it was created on Mason's office computer."
Mason did not blink.
"My office was locked."
Daniel spoke quietly.
"Not always."
Mason turned.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Your executive assistant has master access during travel days."
Mason's thoughts shifted immediately to Serena Cole, his assistant of seven years.
Serena managed his calendar, his travel, and almost every document that reached his desk.
She had been with him before Evelyn died.
She had been with him when Clara was hired.
Mason took out his phone and called her.
It went directly to voicemail.
He called again.
Nothing.
Daniel checked his tablet.
"Her access badge left the building at six this evening."
Mason frowned.
"Where did she go?"
Daniel's eyes lifted.
"According to the garage camera, she left with a Northstar Capital director."
Patricia sat down slowly.
Graham closed the portfolio.
"Now you understand why I took the original."
Mason looked at him.
"Where is it?"
Graham's expression changed.
"It was in my safe."
"Was?"
May you like
Graham took a breath.
"Someone emptied the safe before I came here."
