The rain was falling heavily when Daniel Carter, James Whitmore, and Anthony Brooks left the Grand Sterling Hotel.
Victoria remained behind with Patricia Monroe to coordinate with the foundation's legal department and preserve the documents recovered from Victor's office.
Richard Collins insisted on accompanying Daniel.
His brother Andrew had sent him the storage facility's address, along with a short message.
If anything happens to me, look inside Unit 214. Everything is there.
Richard had read the message several times.
He was beginning to understand that his brother might have become involved in something far more dangerous than an ordinary financial arrangement.
The storage facility was located in an industrial area near Brooklyn's waterfront. It consisted of several large buildings surrounded by a metal security fence. A small reception office stood beside the entrance, and rows of storage units extended behind it.
Daniel's vehicle stopped outside at approximately 11:08 p.m.
Anthony contacted the local security team and explained that they had information concerning potentially stolen financial records.
James stepped out of the car.
"I cannot believe we're doing this in the middle of a charity auction."
Daniel looked toward the building.
"Neither can I."
Richard checked his phone.
"Unit 214 is in the second building."
Anthony raised his hand.
"Before anyone enters, we need to make sure the facility manager understands the situation."
They approached the reception office.
A middle-aged employee named Peter Lawson was sitting behind a desk, watching a television.
When he saw the group enter, he stood.
"Good evening. Can I help you?"
Anthony introduced himself and explained that they needed to preserve records believed to be connected to an ongoing financial investigation.
Peter looked uncomfortable.
"Do you have a warrant?"
"We're not asking you to conduct a search," Anthony replied. "We want to confirm whether a unit is registered to a particular individual and ensure that no property is removed before the appropriate authorities arrive."
Peter hesitated.
Richard stepped forward.
"Unit 214. The account may be registered under Meridian Strategic Services."
Peter checked the computer.
His expression changed.
"That unit is rented under a corporate account."
"Who has access?" Daniel asked.
Peter examined the records.
"Two authorized individuals."
"Names?"
"Michael Reed and Linda Foster."
James closed his eyes briefly.
His administrative assistant.
The person who had managed his private schedule for twelve years.
Daniel looked toward Anthony.
"Can you contact the investigators?"
Anthony nodded.
While they waited, Richard received another message.
It was from Andrew.
Don't trust anyone from the foundation. Victor knows about the storage unit.
Richard immediately showed Daniel.
Daniel read the message.
"Call him."
Richard tried.
The phone rang several times before going to voicemail.
He tried again.
Nothing.
"Something's wrong," Richard whispered.
Daniel looked toward the storage building.
"How long ago did he send this?"
"Four minutes."
Anthony received a call from the security team.
"They've confirmed that a vehicle registered to Michael Reed was seen near the facility approximately twenty minutes ago."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Then we need to move quickly, but nobody touches anything without proper authorization."
Peter contacted the facility manager, who arrived several minutes later.
After reviewing the information and receiving confirmation from the investigating authorities, the manager agreed to preserve the unit and provide access under the required procedure.
They walked down a long corridor.
Unit 214 was located near the end.
A large metal door stood between two smaller storage compartments.
The manager entered the access code.
The door opened slowly.
Inside were several cardboard boxes, a metal filing cabinet, and two large black storage cases.
Richard stepped forward.
"That's it."
James looked around.
"What's inside?"
Daniel approached the filing cabinet.
The drawers contained printed invoices, company registration documents, and financial statements.
He opened one of the black cases.
Inside were several external hard drives.
Anthony photographed everything.
"Nobody should remove these until the investigators arrive."
Daniel nodded.
He examined a document lying on top of the case.
It was a list of transfers involving the Sterling Foundation.
The total amount exceeded twelve million dollars.
But the most important document was a handwritten note attached to the first page.
It read:
Final clearance β 11:59 p.m. All remaining accounts must be closed before the board can intervene.
James stared at it.
"That's tonight."
Daniel checked his watch.
11:19 p.m.
Forty minutes remained.
He examined another folder.
It contained copies of correspondence between Victor, Robert Mitchell, Michael Reed, and Linda Foster.
Several messages discussed the creation of false charitable accounts.
Others described how the money would be moved through intermediary companies before being distributed among private investment accounts.
Then Daniel found a document that made his blood run cold.
It was a draft press statement.
The headline read:
STERLING FOUNDATION INVESTIGATES UNAUTHORIZED FINANCIAL ACTIVITY LINKED TO PRINCIPAL DONOR DANIEL CARTER.
Daniel read the statement carefully.
It accused him of creating fraudulent charitable accounts, diverting foundation money, and manipulating the board.
The document included fabricated emails and altered financial records.
James looked horrified.
"They were planning to blame you for everything."
Daniel nodded.
"And they wanted the statement released immediately after the transfer."
Richard looked at the floor.
"That's why Victor didn't want you registered."
Daniel turned toward him.
"Explain."
Richard swallowed.
"Andrew told me Victor was worried you'd attend the auction and request access to the executive reception. He wanted to keep you away until the transfer was completed."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That explains the instruction."
James examined the press statement.
"If this had been released, the foundation would have believed it."
Daniel looked at him.
"Some people already did."
He placed the document inside a protective folder.
Then Anthony's phone rang.
He answered.
"Yes?"
A security officer spoke urgently.
"We've located Andrew Collins. He's at the parking entrance, and he appears to be injured."
Richard immediately stood.
"Andrew?"
Anthony listened for another moment.
"He's conscious. Emergency medical assistance is being arranged."
Richard rushed toward the exit.
Daniel followed.
They found Andrew sitting against the wall beside a parked vehicle. His forehead was bleeding, and his shirt was torn near the shoulder.
Richard knelt beside him.
"Andrew! What happened?"
Andrew looked up.
"Richard..."
"Who did this?"
Andrew struggled to speak.
"Victor's people. They wanted the documents."
Daniel crouched beside him.
"Where is Michael Reed?"
Andrew closed his eyes.
"He left. Linda went with him."
"Do you know where?"
Andrew shook his head.
"They said the transfer was already being prepared."
Daniel looked at Anthony.
"Contact the investigators. Tell them we have the original records and an injured witness."
Andrew grabbed Richard's sleeve.
"There's something else."
Richard leaned closer.
"What?"
Andrew whispered:
"Robert Mitchell wasn't the person who started this."
Daniel became still.
"Who did?"
Andrew looked at him.
"The person who introduced Victor to Michael Reed."
He swallowed.
Then he said a name.
"Your former business partner."
Daniel stared at him.
"Who?"
Andrew looked directly into his eyes.
"Jonathan Price."
For several seconds, Daniel did not move.
Jonathan Price had been his closest business partner during the early years of Carter Meridian Holdings.
He had been the person Daniel trusted with his first major investment.
And he was the one who had disappeared after the financial scandal seven years earlier.
Daniel slowly stood.
The past had finally caught up with him.
But this time, he was not going to let it destroy everything he had built.