Sergeant Reynolds: "Ms. Carter, I know this is difficult, but I need to ask you a few questions about your father's final months."
Evelyn nodded.
Sergeant Reynolds: "Did he ever mention receiving threats?"
Evelyn thought carefully.
Evelyn: "He never told me directly. But I remember that he received several anonymous phone calls. Sometimes he would leave the room to answer them."
Sergeant Reynolds: "Do you remember any names?"
Evelyn: "No."
Sergeant Reynolds: "Did he ever mention Charles Whitmore?"
Evelyn nodded.
Evelyn: "Yes. He said that Charles had promised to help him."
James looked down.
Evelyn: "My father trusted him. He believed that Charles would eventually admit what had happened."
Sergeant Reynolds: "Did Charles visit your family?"
Evelyn: "Several times."
She paused.
Evelyn: "He even attended my father's funeral."
The officers exchanged a glance.
Officer Harris: "Did he say anything unusual?"
Evelyn: "He told me that I should stop looking into the case. He said that my father had made mistakes and that continuing to investigate would only bring more pain to the family."
James closed his eyes.
James: "That's exactly what he told Robert."
Evelyn looked at him.
James: "He was trying to make sure the investigation remained closed."
The sergeant wrote down the information.
Sergeant Reynolds: "We will need to speak with him."
Richard suddenly laughed bitterly.
Richard: "You think Charles is going to answer your questions?"
Sergeant Reynolds: "We will follow the appropriate procedures."
Richard: "You have no idea what kind of person he is."
James turned toward him.
James: "That's interesting coming from you."
Richard: "You should keep your mouth shut."
James: "Why? Are you afraid I'll tell them about the second meeting?"
Richard went completely still.
Evelyn looked at James.
Evelyn: "What second meeting?"
James hesitated.
James: "The meeting that took place two days after your father was accused."
Sergeant Reynolds: "Explain."
James: "Richard, David, and Charles met at a private office. They discussed how to handle the financial records and what to tell the investigators."
Officer Harris: "Were you present?"
James: "No. But I received a copy of the meeting notes."
Richard stared at him.
Richard: "You were never supposed to have those."
James: "I know."
Richard: "Who gave them to you?"
James: "Someone who was tired of keeping your secrets."
Evelyn: "Who?"
James looked toward the entrance.
James: "The person who kept the original records."
Before anyone could ask another question, the building's main doors opened again.
A woman entered.
She appeared to be in her late fifties.
She wore a simple navy coat and carried a small handbag.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were filled with emotion.
When Evelyn saw her, she immediately recognized her.
Evelyn: "Margaret?"
The woman stopped.
For several seconds, she simply looked at Evelyn.
Then she nodded.
Margaret Lewis: "Hello, Evelyn."
Evelyn could hardly speak.
Evelyn: "I thought you were dead."
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
Margaret: "I know."
Richard looked as though he had seen a ghost.
Richard: "Margaret..."
Margaret turned toward him.
Margaret: "Richard."
Richard: "What are you doing here?"
Margaret: "I'm doing what I should have done seven years ago."
Richard shook his head.
Richard: "You have no reason to get involved."
Margaret: "I have every reason."
She walked toward the table.
Margaret: "Robert was my friend. He trusted me, and I failed him."
Evelyn stared at her.
Evelyn: "You knew my father?"
Margaret nodded.
Margaret: "I worked with him for nearly ten years. He was the most honest person in that company."
Evelyn: "Why did you disappear?"
Margaret lowered her eyes.
Margaret: "Because I was afraid."
She took a long breath.
Margaret: "After Robert refused to sign the false financial reports, I discovered that the investigation was being manipulated. I found copies of internal communications showing that Charles Whitmore had been speaking privately with Richard."
Sergeant Reynolds: "Did you report it?"
Margaret: "I tried."
She paused.
Margaret: "But the report was returned to me. I was told that there was insufficient evidence. A few days later, I was called into a meeting and informed that my position was being terminated."
Evelyn: "And then?"
Margaret: "Then someone contacted me at home. They told me that if I continued looking into the matter, my family could become involved."
Evelyn looked horrified.
Margaret: "I was a single mother at the time. My daughter was still young. I became frightened. I left the city and stopped using my old contact details."
Evelyn: "But you knew my father was innocent."
Margaret began to cry.
Margaret: "Yes."
Evelyn: "You knew?"
Margaret nodded.
Evelyn's voice became stronger.
Evelyn: "You knew he was innocent, and you allowed everyone to believe he had stolen the money?"
Margaret looked devastated.
Margaret: "I know there is no excuse."
Evelyn: "My father died with his reputation destroyed."
Margaret: "I know."
Evelyn: "My family suffered because nobody would speak."
Margaret: "I know, Evelyn."
Evelyn turned away.
She wanted to shout.
She wanted to ask how someone could live with such a secret.
But when she looked at Margaret's face, she saw genuine regret.
That did not erase what had happened.