The Name Hidden in the Contract
Claire spent three days tracing Margaret Harrison's financial history.
Every trail ended at the same place.
A private trust.
The trust owned nearly everything.
Harrison Holdings.
Several investment companies.
Private properties.
And the $200 million fund.
Ethan finally understood why his father could control so much money while living modestly.
He had never cared about appearing wealthy.
He cared about controlling the system.
Claire found something else.
An original corporate contract.
Unlike the damaged copy Ethan had found, this version was complete.
At the bottom were three signatures.
Margaret Harrison.
Michael Harrison.
Victor Hale.
But a fourth name appeared in the margin.
Daniel Cross.
Ethan recognized it.
“Who is Daniel Cross?”
Claire looked at the name.
“That is the question.”
She searched the database.
No record.
No company.
No address.
No death certificate.
Nothing.
A ghost.
Then she found an old photograph.
Daniel Cross stood behind Margaret and Victor.
Ethan stared.
He looked familiar.
Then Ethan realized why.
Daniel Cross looked almost identical to the anonymous man who had appeared in the reflection of the 1998 video.
Could he be alive?
Claire enlarged the photograph.
On Daniel's wrist was a distinctive watch.
The same model Michael had given Ethan.
Ethan's heart raced.
“That watch belonged to my mother.”
Claire nodded.
“Then Daniel knew her.”
Suddenly Ethan's phone rang.
Michael.
Ethan answered.
“Dad, who is Daniel Cross?”
Silence.
Michael's voice finally came.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“Who is he?”
“Ethan, listen carefully.”
Michael sounded afraid.
“Do not search for him.”
“Why?”
“Because he has already found you.”
Ethan's blood ran cold.
“What?”
Michael continued.
“He was at your birthday party.”
Ethan looked around.
Every guest.
Every photograph.
May you like
Every security camera.
Someone had been watching him from inside his own home.
