ROBERT: "Then don't guess. We should work from documents rather than memories."
Daniel looked at the investigator.
DANIEL: "How long will it take?"
ROBERT: "The initial review can be completed within a few days if we receive the original records. A full investigation may take considerably longer."
Daniel nodded.
DANIEL: "Do whatever is necessary."
Robert began arranging the files.
Before they left, he gave them one final warning.
ROBERT: "Until we understand the full picture, do not hand over the original documents to anyone. Preserve every message. Keep the recordings in their original form. And if anyone threatens or pressures you, document it and contact the appropriate authorities."
Daniel thanked him.
On the way back to the car, Vanessa walked beside Daniel.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Finally, she stopped.
VANESSA: "Daniel, I need to tell you something else."
He turned.
DANIEL: "What is it?"
VANESSA: "When Richard first contacted me yesterday, he didn't just ask for the documents."
DANIEL: "What else did he want?"
VANESSA: "He asked me whether I was still with you."
Daniel frowned.
DANIEL: "Why?"
VANESSA: "He said he knew about your business and wanted to understand whether you had any connection to the old company."
Daniel's expression became serious.
DANIEL: "What did you tell him?"
VANESSA: "I told him you had nothing to do with it."
DANIEL: "And what did he say?"
VANESSA: "He laughed. Then he said something strange."
DANIEL: "What?"
Vanessa looked directly at him.
VANESSA: "He said that some people never really leave the past behind, especially when their families are involved."
Daniel felt a chill run through him.
He understood now why Richard might have been interested in his relationship.
If Michael had been involved in the original company, Richard could have been trying to reach Daniel through his brother.
And perhaps the investment opportunity Michael had mentioned was not a coincidence.
DANIEL: "Why didn't you tell me this yesterday?"
VANESSA: "I was afraid you'd think I was making everything up."
Daniel looked away.
He was tired of hearing explanations that began with fear.
But he decided not to argue.
There were more important things to deal with.
That evening, Daniel returned home alone.
Vanessa had gone to stay with a close friend because Daniel needed time to think.
Marcus had promised to remain available.
Daniel sat in his office and opened an old family photograph.
It showed him and Michael standing beside their parents at a celebration several years earlier.
Michael was smiling.
Daniel remembered how proud he had been when his brother first started his business.
He remembered lending him money when things became difficult.
He remembered defending him during a disagreement with another relative.
Now, every memory seemed to carry a new question.
At approximately nine o'clock, Daniel received another message.
This time, it was from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN SENDER: "You should stop investigating the old company."
Daniel stared at the screen.
A second message followed.
UNKNOWN SENDER: "You don't know who you're dealing with."
He took a screenshot and forwarded it to Robert.
Then he called Marcus.
MARCUS: "Hello?"
DANIEL: "Someone just sent me another threat."
MARCUS: "What does it say?"
Daniel read the messages.
Marcus became silent.
MARCUS: "Save everything. Don't respond."
DANIEL: "I'm beginning to think this is much bigger than Richard."
MARCUS: "I agree."
DANIEL: "Tomorrow I'm meeting Michael."
MARCUS: "Be careful."
DANIEL: "I will."
The next morning, Daniel arrived at the restaurant ten minutes before the scheduled meeting.
Michael was already waiting.
He stood up immediately and greeted his younger brother with a warm smile.
MICHAEL: "There he is. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me."
DANIEL: "I've been busy."
MICHAEL: "Business never stops, does it?"
They shook hands and sat down.
For the first few minutes, they discussed ordinary things.
Their parents.
Work.
Recent developments in the business world.
Michael asked about Daniel's latest projects and whether he was planning to expand his operations.
Everything seemed normal.
Almost too normal.
Then Michael placed a folder on the table.
MICHAEL: "I wanted to show you something."
Daniel opened it.
Inside were several pages describing a proposed property investment.
The figures were impressive.
The projected returns were considerably higher than Daniel expected.
DANIEL: "Who is behind this project?"
MICHAEL: "A group of private investors."
DANIEL: "Which investors?"
MICHAEL: "People I've worked with before."
Daniel looked at the proposal.
One company name immediately caught his attention.
It was the same company that appeared in Vanessa's financial records.
He slowly closed the folder.
DANIEL: "Michael, have you ever worked with Richard Collins?"
Michael's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Daniel noticed.
MICHAEL: "Why are you asking?"
DANIEL: "Just answer the question."
Michael leaned back.
MICHAEL: "I may have met him years ago. Why?"
DANIEL: "Were you involved in his investment company?"
MICHAEL: "That's a strange question."
DANIEL: "Is it?"
Michael looked at his brother for several seconds.
Then he gave a small laugh.
MICHAEL: "Daniel, I don't know what you've heard, but you need to be careful about believing everything people tell you."
Daniel remained calm.
DANIEL: "I haven't told you what I've heard."
Michael stopped smiling.
MICHAEL: "What does that mean?"
DANIEL: "It means I asked you a question."
Michael slowly placed his hands on the table.
MICHAEL: "I was involved in several property ventures around that time. I can't remember every person I worked with."
DANIEL: "Do you remember Vanessa?"
Michael looked away briefly.