Chapter 6 - The Web Unravels
By noon the following day, the media storm had erupted across the country.
Elisa Rochefort had spent the morning appearing on national cable news segments, wiping away theatrical tears with a monogrammed handkerchief. She painted a vivid, sickening picture of Damon Cross using his immense wealth to “disrupt a sacred charitable institution” and “unlawfully harbor a runaway child for corporate PR.”
“My husband and I have dedicated our lives to these children!” Elisa sobbed to the television host. “And Damon Cross thinks he can spit on our foundation, insult our patrons, and hide that poor girl from state authorities? We demand justice!”
Inside Damon’s private conference suite thirty floors above the city, the television screen played Elisa’s interview on mute.
Elena Thorne sat in a leather armchair, a cup of hot broth cupped in her hands. Beside her, Lily sat curled on the sofa, wearing a clean pink sweater, her little fingers happily wrapped around a warm honey pastry. For the first time in weeks, Lily looked like a child rather than a ghost.
“They embezzled forty-two million dollars over four years,” Elena said, her voice hoarse but completely steady. She laid a thumb drive on the glass conference table. “Every dollar meant for inner-city orphanages, pediatric clinics, and emergency food programs was funneled into Julian Rochefort’s offshore real estate holdings in Grand Cayman. When I discovered the altered audit trails, Julian threatened to have child services declare me unfit and take Lily away forever.”
Damon leaned against the table, his arms crossed. “Why didn't you go to the police?”
Elena gave a bitter, hollow laugh. “The deputy police commissioner sits on the board of that very charity, Damon. Elisa hosted his daughter’s wedding at their Hamptons estate last summer. Who was going to believe a widowed accountant living in a condemned flat over the city’s most celebrated philanthropists?”
Damon reached out, his hand resting gently on Elena’s trembling shoulder.
“I believe you,” he said softly. “And by tonight, three hundred million people will believe you too.”
Damon turned to Marcus, who stood beside a team of forensic accountants and federal cyber investigators Damon had hired at sunrise.
“Marcus, is the press conference confirmed?”
“Every major network, wire service, and financial publication in the Western hemisphere is assembled in the municipal press hall,” Marcus replied with a grim smile. “Julian and Elisa just arrived. They think the Mayor is about to announce a city-wide award for their foundation’s resilience.”
Damon bent down to Lily’s level. The little girl looked up, her bright hazel eyes shining with absolute trust.
“Lily,” Damon smiled gently. “Do you remember that big fancy party from yesterday?”
Lily nodded shyly. “The one with the bad screaming lady?”
May you like
“That’s the one,” Damon said, tapping her nose playfully. “How would you like to go to another party with me and Mommy? Only this time, nobody screams. And this time… you get to blow out the candles.”
***
