Chapter 17: The Final Authorization
Evelyn’s attorney, Richard Sloane, had controlled the family’s legal affairs for twenty years.
He had arranged Evelyn’s fake death, buried Hannah’s police report, and designed the fraudulent debt agreements.
“Step away from the scanner,” Sloane ordered.
Adrian stood between the stairwell rails, barely able to support himself.
The countdown showed forty-five seconds.
“You can’t stop the upload,” Grant said.
“I don’t need to. I only need to destroy the drive.”
Sloane took it from Grant’s hand.
Hannah moved slowly around the desk.
Sloane pointed the weapon toward her.
“Don’t.”
Adrian forced himself forward.
His right leg shook violently.
Sloane looked at him with disbelief.
“You really can walk.”
“Not well.”
Adrian took another step.
“But well enough.”
Grant suddenly struck Sloane’s arm.
The weapon discharged into the ceiling.
Maya rushed forward and forced Sloane to the floor.
The drive slid across the room.
Caleb’s old stuffed bear, brought by Grant, fell beside it.
Twenty seconds.
Grant placed his palm on the first scanner.
Adrian reached the second.
His knees buckled.
Hannah caught him.
“If I hold you, it may reject the scan.”
“Let go.”
She slowly released him.
Adrian stood alone.
Ten seconds.
He placed his palm on the glass.
AUTHORIZATION ACCEPTED.
The countdown stopped at two seconds.
The files uploaded simultaneously to federal investigators, international regulators, journalists, and thousands of employees.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then the building’s emergency system powered down.
Grant sat on the floor.
“It’s over.”
Maya shook her head.
“No. Now you answer for your part.”
Grant nodded.
“I know.”
Adrian looked at his brother.
He felt anger, grief, and something more complicated.
Grant had stolen nine years from him.
He had also helped save thousands of employees from Evelyn’s final act.
“You’ll testify?” Adrian asked.
“Against everyone.”
“Even your mother?”
“Especially her.”
Federal agents surrounded the building before sunrise.
Evelyn was transferred into official custody.
Sloane and Hale were charged.
But when investigators examined the uploaded ledger, they discovered one final transaction made by William Cole before his death.
He had transferred fifty-one percent of Cole Industries into an unidentified trust.
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The listed beneficiary was not Adrian.
It was Caleb Hart.
