There was a loud crack as the lock broke.
Dust filled my lungs as I coughed after pushing open the door of my father's old storage unit. Since he passed away two years ago, I hadn't visited.
"Are you certain about this?" Behind me, Maya whispered. "What if we are noticed?"
"It belongs to my father. I'm perfectly entitled to be here. I switched on the flashlight on my phone. "There must be evidence somewhere if Kieran's family actually killed my dad."
Like cardboard mountains, boxes loomed over us. My father's meticulous handwriting was used to label each one: "Business Files 2020," "Personal Letters," and "Building Plans."
Seeing his well-known writing made my heart hurt. He had been very well-prepared. Very cautious in every way.
Maya said, "Where do we start?"
"With the company records. My father would have kept copies if he had discovered proof of harmful products.
The first box was opened by us. Contracts, invoices, and meeting minutes were all contained within. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Photographs of building materials and construction sites were in the second box. It's still standard business.
I was starting to lose patience by the fourth box. "This place is empty. simply standard work documents.
"Perhaps that's the point," Maya remarked. "Perhaps he concealed the crucial information to make it appear like routine work."
She was correct. My dad was intelligent. He wouldn't call it "Secret Documents That Could Get Me Killed" if he had evidence that was dangerous.
I grabbed a folder titled "Building Safety Reports - 2022." It looked dull enough to conceal secrets.
There were steel beam and concrete test results inside. Everything appeared normal at first glance. But then I became aware of an oddity.
"Maya, take a look at this." I gestured toward a string of digits. "These strength ratings don't match."
"What do you mean?"
According to this report, ten thousand pounds can be supported by the steel beams. However, according to a different report, the beams in question are only capable of supporting 5,000 pounds.
"Which one is right?"
"The smaller figure. I know the name of the testing company. They are incredibly trustworthy. I turned more pages. "However, the official reports that were sent to the construction sites had their numbers altered by someone."
"Changed them how?"
made them appear more powerful than they actually were. These beams could cause buildings to collapse.
Maya's face turned white. "People might pass away."
"My father was attempting to prevent that very thing."
I read on. Doctored reports, page after page. Hazardous materials are marketed as safe. Test results were altered to conceal issues.
Additionally, Richard Hawthorne's signature appeared at the bottom of every phony report.
I muttered, "Kieran's father signed all of these."
"What does that mean?"
"It indicates that Kieran deceived me once more. His father wasn't merely selling subpar goods. He was intentionally doing it.
*Stop digging or you'll end up like your father* was the text message that buzzed through my phone from an unidentified number.
"We must depart. "Now." After grabbing the folder, I made my way to the door.
"Wait, Isabella. How about the other boxes?
"We'll return later. with enhanced security.
However, someone emerged from the shadows as we got to the door of the storage unit.
"Going somewhere?"
Marcus Webb was the one. He should have been incarcerated.
"How did you escape?" I insisted.
"Good attorneys. improved relationships. My skin crawled when he smiled. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"The proof your dad gathered. The evidence that might bring the Hawthorne family to ruin.
I pressed the folder closer to my chest. "I have no proof."
"Liar." Marcus moved in closer. "Your dad was meticulous. He duplicated everything and concealed them in various locations.
"How do you know that?"
"Because I assisted him in doing it."
My world swung to one side. "What?"
"I was hired by your father to assist with the Hawthornes investigation. I was to become close to their family. Find out their secrets.
"You're lying."
"Am I? How did I meet Sophie, in your opinion? She was employed by the Hawthorne firm. She was being used by me to obtain information.
"Sophie was never employed by them."
"She did. for half a year. Until she quit after discovering what I was actually doing."
My mind was racing. "That isn't feasible."
"No one gave your father credit for his intelligence. He was aware that he needed inside assistance to demonstrate the Hawthornes' wrongdoing.
"Why did you threaten Sophie if you were employed by my father?"
Marcus chuckled. "Because I realized I could earn more money working for the other side after your father passed away."
"You switched sides?"
"Dead men don't get paid as much as the Hawthornes do."
Marcus took the folder out of my hands before I could respond.
"Hey!" He held it out of reach as I lunged for it.
"I appreciate you finding this. saves me a great deal of time. He turned the pages. "Yes, this is precisely what we required."
"Return it!"
"I don't believe so. I will die with this evidence.
He produced a lighter for cigarettes.
"No!" He lit the flame, and I leaped at him.
Together, we fell to the ground. The folder was strewn all over the concrete floor. Papers were flying all over.
"Maya, get the papers!" I shouted as Marcus and I wrestled.
Maya scurried past us, gathering documents as quickly as she could.
I was angry, but Marcus was stronger. Until he released the lighter, I bit his hand.
"You crazy witch!" He pushed me firmly against the wall.
There was a sickening thud as my head struck the concrete. I saw stars dancing.
"Isabella!" Maya ran to assist me after dropping the papers.
I muttered, "I'm okay," but I wasn't. The space was whirling.
Marcus got to his feet and began gathering up the fallen papers. "I appreciate you making this simple."
"Wait," I called feebly. "Why are you really doing this?"
"Power. Money. the typical explanations.
"What were the promises made to you by the Hawthornes?"
"A collaboration within their business. They will make me a very rich man once all of this evidence is gone.
"What about Sophie? What becomes of her?
"When Sophie left my company, she made her own decision. She must now face the repercussions.
When Maya did something bold and foolish, he had nearly all the papers collected.
Marcus was tackled from behind by her.
As they fell together, she shouted, "Run, Isabella!"
My head was still pounding, but I wanted to help her. Rather, I picked up the few papers Maya had been able to save and staggered out the door.
I heard Marcus and Maya fighting behind me. I needed assistance.
However, I noticed another person waiting by my car as I arrived at the parking lot.
Kieran.
"Isabella! I'm grateful. When you didn't answer your phone, I became concerned. When he saw the papers in my hands, he stopped running toward me. "What are those?"
"Proof that your father murdered mine."
"Isabella, we must discuss this..."
"Stop talking. No more falsehoods. I displayed one of the papers. This demonstrates that your family was aware of the risks associated with their products. This demonstrates that they sold them anyhow.
As Kieran read the paper, his face turned white. "Where did you get this?"
"The storage unit owned by my father. He had copies of everything.
"This isn't what it looks like, Isabella."
"It appears that your father valued money over people's lives."
"My dad was unaware of these reports."
"Every page bears his signature!"
"Those are phony signatures."
I gave a sour laugh. "Your family is phony, isn't it?"
"I'm being honest. My father's name was being used without his consent.
"Who?"
"I'm not sure yet. However, I will find out."
Maya ran out of the storage building before I could argue further. She had a cut on her face and her clothes were ripped.
She gasped, "Marcus got away." "However, I preserved this."
I had never seen a manila envelope until she handed it to me.
"What is it?" Kieran inquired.
With trembling hands, I opened the envelope. One letter, written in my father's handwriting, was inside.
*My beloved Isabella,*
*I've experienced something, if you're reading this. After months of research, I've found something awful about the Hawthorne family.
*The true villains aren't them.
*The person selling hazardous products and ruining lives has been operating under a false identity. Someone from both of our families. Someone we can rely on
*I think this individual murdered your mother when you were a child. To prevent her from disclosing their crimes, they made it appear to be an accident.
*I'm almost done identifying it. Look for the person who stands to gain the most from keeping our families apart, though, if I am killed before I can tell you the truth.
*The one who has consistently been present. been helpful at all times. Always keeping an eye on things.
*Isabella, watch who you put your trust in. Kieran Hawthorne in particular. I believe they intend to use him to reach you.
However, keep in mind that occasionally, those we perceive as adversaries are genuinely attempting to defend us.
*My dear, you are loved. Discover the truth.
*Dad*
I nearly dropped the letter because my hands were shaking so much.
"Isabella?" Kieran made a grab for me. "What does it say?"
Tears filled my eyes as I gazed up at him. "My father was aware that he would be killed. And he called you by name.