Chapter 7
Julian found the first real witness two days later.
His name was Samuel Crane.
Seventy-one.
Retired.
Living outside Madison, Wisconsin.
He had once handled transportation for Eleanor.
Samuel refused to come to Chicago.
So Maya went to him.
Julian accompanied her.
The old man lived in a modest ranch house beside a frozen-looking lake despite the late spring warmth.
When Samuel opened the door and saw the orchid ring, he nearly closed it again.
“Eleanor’s dead.”
“I know.”
“Then take that thing away.”
Maya held her hand still.
“She gave it to me.”
Samuel stared.
“You’re the girl.”
Maya’s pulse changed.
“What girl?”
“The accountant.”
“I wasn’t an accountant.”
“You worked upstairs.”
“Yes.”
Samuel stepped back.
They entered.
No bodyguards.
No weapons on the table.
Just coffee and an old man who had spent eleven years trying to forget something.
Samuel confirmed that Eleanor had discovered a quiet financial takeover during her final year.
Not millions stolen at once.
Smaller diversions.
Changed contracts.
Loyal men replaced.
Debts created intentionally so certain businesses would become dependent on Victor Vance’s group.
“Victor wanted control without starting a war,” Samuel explained.
“Did Eleanor prove it?”
“Enough.”
“Why didn’t she expose him?”
“Because she was dying.”
Maya looked at Julian.
“You knew?”
“Parts.”
Samuel laughed.
“Everybody knew parts. That was Eleanor’s problem and her genius.”
“What about Richard?”
Samuel’s face hardened.
“He came to see her.”
Maya stopped breathing for a second.
“When?”
“Twice.”
“Why?”
“First time, he said he wanted peace between their families.”
“And the second?”
Samuel looked toward the window.
“He wanted the ring.”
Julian stood abruptly.
“You never told me this.”
Samuel looked at him.
“She told me not to.”
“Why?”
“Because she didn’t trust you either.”
That silenced Julian.
Maya watched both men.
For the first time, the legendary Julian Sterling looked old.
Samuel continued.
“Richard believed the orchid gave access to Eleanor’s hidden records.”
“Did it?”
“No.”
Maya frowned.
“Then why did he want it?”
“Because Victor told him anyone who had the orchid could identify the surviving partner.”
Maya thought of the note.
ASK WHO SURVIVED.
“Who survived?”
Samuel smiled sadly.
“That’s the question Eleanor wanted the wrong people asking.”
Maya leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
“The surviving partner was never the real secret.”
“Then what was?”
Samuel looked at the orchid.
“The secret was what the partner knew.”
“Which was?”
“Every person who helped Victor.”
Julian’s face tightened.
Maya noticed.
Samuel noticed her noticing.
May you like
Then the old man said something that changed Maya’s view of the room.
“Some of them are still sitting at your tables.”
