Chapter 4 - THE LOCKED CABINET
The key was hidden inside an old clock.
Andre remembered seeing it as a child.
His father had always told him never to touch it.
Now Andre broke the glass.
Inside was a brass key.
They opened the cabinet.
A black box sat inside.
No name.
No label.
Just a date.
The date of Andre's eighteenth birthday.
He opened it.
Inside were letters.
Photographs.
Bank records.
And one handwritten note.
Andre read it aloud.
“If you're reading this, I am either dead or no longer capable of protecting you.”
He stopped.
Camille moved closer.
His father's letter continued.
“Your mother will tell you she saved this company. She did not.”
Andre's hands began shaking.
“She will tell you I betrayed her. I did not.”
A second page.
“She will tell you Camille is dangerous.”
Andre looked at his wife.
“She knew about Camille?”
Camille's face went still.
Andre continued.
“Years before you meet her, Camille Bennett will become involved in our industry. Do not underestimate her.”
Camille whispered:
“Bennett?”
Andre looked at her.
“My maiden name.”
His father's letter continued.
“She will one day possess information powerful enough to destroy the people who believe themselves untouchable.”
Andre stared at Camille.
“How did my father know you?”
“I don't know.”
Then a photograph fell from the box.
Camille picked it up.
Her breath stopped.
It showed her father.
Standing beside David Callaway.
Andre looked at the photograph.
“My father knew your father.”
Camille turned the photograph over.
Written on the back:
The merger that saved us both.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
Lorraine stood there.
She wasn't alone.
Two security guards stood behind her.
“Put the box down.”
Andre stepped forward.
“No.”
Lorraine's voice trembled.
“You don't understand what you're holding.”
“Then explain it.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because your father was a liar.”
Camille looked at her.
“Then why are you afraid?”
Lorraine stared at her.
For the first time, there was no arrogance in her face.
Only fear.
“You should leave this alone.”
Andre held the box tighter.
“Why?”
Lorraine whispered:
“Because your father didn't die naturally.”
Silence.
Camille felt the world stop.
Andre's face drained of color.
“What did you say?”
Lorraine closed her eyes.
“I said your father didn't die naturally.”
Andre stepped toward her.
“What happened?”
May you like
Lorraine looked at Camille.
“He was poisoned.”
