Chapter 6 - THE BLACK USB DRIVE
The night of the fire, Julian and I argued.
I had discovered invoices linked to an unknown account.
He accused me of invading his privacy.
I threatened to call our accountant.
He left for the marina.
Hours later, his boat burned.
Julian now told Vanessa I caused the fire.
Police had questioned me initially.
No evidence connected me to it.
Still, his accusation damaged me.
Vanessa did not react.
“What did Claire do?”
“She followed me.”
“I was at home.”
“She wanted the insurance money.”
“The policy was redirected away from her,” Vanessa said.
Julian stopped.
He had not expected us to compare evidence.
That was his power.
Separate victims.
Separate stories.
No shared room.
The USB changed that.
Its encrypted ledger contained copies of forged contracts and false identities.
But one folder was empty.
Labeled ORIGINALS.
Julian believed the drive held the only keys to another archive.
That was why he wanted it.
He sent me a message.
GIVE ME THE USB AND I WILL TELL YOU WHO HELPED ME DISAPPEAR.
I showed police.
They arranged monitored communication.
I replied:
YOU SAID I WASN’T THE ONLY PERSON YOU DECEIVED.
His answer arrived.
I DECEIVED THE POLICE, THE INSURER, AND THE MAN WHO THINKS HE OWNS ME.
Who was that man?
The drive contained payments to someone labeled G.M.
The initials appeared beside the boat fire.
The death certificate.
The altered beneficiary.
Then a live access warning appeared.
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Someone was trying to erase the USB’s remote archive.
From inside the Ashford Hotel.
