Chapter 7: Thursday, Again
Daniel arrived at nine-fifty.
He had a coffee in each hand and his phone tucked under his arm.
He was already talking when Marcus opened the front door — something about a lunch meeting, something about rescheduling — and he didn't look up until he was fully inside the entrance hall.
Two men were standing near the staircase.
Daniel stopped.
"Daniel Cole," the taller one said.
It wasn't a question.
Daniel looked past them toward the study.
The door was open.
Adrian was visible inside, seated at the desk, watching.
"What is this?" Daniel said.
"We have a warrant for your arrest," the man said.
"Charges include forgery of a legal document, fraudulent transfer of assets, and conspiracy to commit financial fraud."
"This is—" Daniel's voice shifted.
"This is a misunderstanding.
My brother and I have a private agreement—"
"The warrant was issued this morning," the second man said.
"You'll have the opportunity to speak with your attorney."
Daniel turned to Adrian.
The coffee cups were still in his hands.
He hadn't put them down.
"You did this," he said.
Adrian looked at him.
"You did this.
Eleven months ago, when you registered Crestline.
Ten months ago, when you started meeting with Hargrove.
Eight months ago, when you found a notary whose license had already been suspended and used his stamp on a transfer document with my forged signature." He paused.
"I just read what you wrote."
"You were not capable of running this company—"
"That wasn't your decision to make."
"Someone had to—"
"Daniel." Adrian's voice was quiet.
Not angry.
Just finished.
"Put the coffee down."
Daniel looked at the cups in his hands as if he had forgotten they were there.
He set them on the side table near the door.
The two men from the DA's office moved toward him.
"I want my attorney," Daniel said.
"You can call from the car," the taller man said.
They walked him out.
The front door closed.
Marcus stood near the window and watched the car pull away from the curb.
He didn't say anything.
Adrian didn't either.
After a moment, Marcus picked up one of the coffees Daniel had left on the side table.
He looked at it.
Set it back down.
"Should I cancel his access to the building systems?" Marcus said.
"Already done," Adrian said.
"Claire handled it this morning."
Marcus nodded.
"The board has been notified?"
"Claire is calling them now.
The meeting still happens next week.
I'll be there."
Marcus turned from the window.
"Will you need the chair?"
Adrian considered the question.
May you like
"I don't know yet," he said.
"But I'll be there either way."
