Chapter 14 - Behind the Portrait
Arthur’s old executive office occupied the top floor of Bellamy headquarters.
Malcolm had used it constantly.
Arthur’s portrait hung behind the desk.
Genevieve hated the symbolism.
They removed it.
Behind the frame was a wall safe.
Arthur stared.
“I didn’t know.”
Sarah almost laughed.
“Apparently nobody in this family knows what’s inside their own walls.”
The safe required a warrant because Bellamy corporate property was involved.
Investigators opened it.
Inside were original partnership certificates proving Malcolm’s beneficial interest in NorthStar’s predecessor.
Also inside:
Thomas’s missing financial report.
Malcolm had stolen it eighteen years earlier.
Genevieve held the report in gloved hands.
Her father had been right.
Every page.
Westbridge transfers.
Self-dealing.
Undisclosed interests.
Kickbacks.
Arthur sat down.
“I called him paranoid.”
Genevieve looked at him.
“Yes.”
He did not defend himself.
That mattered more now.
The report strengthened both the current financial case and motive surrounding Thomas’s death.
Malcolm’s defense strategy began collapsing.
Then Julian was attacked.
He was leaving a therapy appointment when a vehicle struck him in a parking lot.
Not a convenient accident.
Surveillance showed deliberate acceleration.
Julian suffered a broken leg and concussion.
The driver fled.
Genevieve received the call while feeding Clara.
Her first feeling was fear.
That disturbed her.
She went to the hospital.
Julian looked surprised.
“You came.”
“You’re Clara’s father.”
He nodded.
Police suspected intimidation.
Malcolm was in custody, but his network remained.
The driver was later identified as an associate of Frank Delaney.
Delaney denied ordering it.
Investigators discovered the associate had received money from a dormant Westbridge account controlled through Malcolm’s former business manager.
The attack strengthened obstruction charges.
It also frightened Julian into almost withdrawing cooperation.
“I can’t do this.”
Genevieve sat beside his bed.
“You can.”
“They’ll come after Clara.”
“No.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I have security.”
“So did I.”
She stared.
Julian’s fear was real.
For once, he was the powerless person in the hospital bed.
The reversal was almost unbearable.
He whispered:
“I understand now.”
“What?”
“How you looked at me that night.”
Genevieve said nothing.
“I thought because you couldn’t move, I controlled the room.”
His eyes filled.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
She looked toward his injured leg.
“I’m still testifying against you in the divorce and custody proceedings.”
“I know.”
“I’m not forgiving you because someone hurt you.”
“I know.”
“But testify.”
He looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because being afraid doesn’t excuse what you do next.”
Julian closed his eyes.
That sentence carried him into court.
He testified for three days.
Malcolm’s attorney dismantled him on cross-examination.
“You lied to your wife?”
“Yes.
“You forged her signature?”
“Yes.”
“You threatened to take her newborn child?”
“Yes.”
“You owed millions?”
“Yes.”
“You stood to receive twelve million dollars?”
“Yes.”
“So why should anyone believe you?”
Julian looked toward Genevieve.
Then back at the jury.
“They shouldn’t believe me because I’m good.”
Silence.
“They should believe the documents because they prove what I did.”
He swallowed.
“And what Malcolm taught me to do.”
The answer landed.
Malcolm stared at him with hatred.
After court, Genevieve realized something.
Julian had finally stopped asking to be seen as innocent.
That did not restore their marriage.
But it made truth possible.
Then prosecutors called their next witness.
Arthur Bellamy.
And Malcolm’s attorney asked him one question that threatened everything:
“Mr. Bellamy, isn’t it true that you knew about Mr. Pierce’s NorthStar interest eighteen years ago?”
Arthur went silent.
May you like
Too long.
Genevieve’s stomach dropped.
