Chapter 5 - Whispers In The Boardroom
The danger didn't come with gunshots or shattered windows; it came with a legal subpoena delivered by federal marshals to the lobby of Davis Maritime at dawn.
By ten in the morning, the penthouse had been converted into a tactical war room. Men in tailored suits and dark ties sprinted between terminals, while Victor sat at the head of the obsidian desk, flanked by Marcus and a team of white-collar criminal defense attorneys.
""It’s your cousin Anthony,"" Marcus said, laying a thick dossier on the desk. ""He’s been working with the U.S. Attorney’s office for six months. He handed over internal shipping manifests from the Brooklyn port, claiming Davis Maritime was laundering offshore weapons shipments.""
Victor leaned back, his eyes narrowing into cold slits. ""Anthony has wanted control of the family docks since my father was buried. He knows the feds won't find weapons because we don't move weapons. But an emergency asset freeze will force our creditors to call in forty million dollars in notes by Friday.""
""If the freeze holds,"" the lead attorney warned, ""the board of directors can legally strip you of voting shares and hand interim control to Anthony by Monday morning.""
Hannah was standing near the kitchen entrance, holding Matthew’s hand. The little boy was clutching his favorite wooden boat, his face pale as he watched the commotion. He leaned against Hannah’s hip, trembling slightly.
""Hannah,"" Victor called out across the crowded room.
The lawyers and bodyguards fell silent as Victor beckoned her forward. Hannah walked to the desk, keeping Matthew behind her.
""Take Matthew to the safehouse in the Berkshires,"" Victor said quietly, sliding a set of keys and a satellite phone across the desk. ""Marcus will drive. You stay there until I give the all-clear.""
""No,"" Matthew spoke up, his voice unexpectedly loud in the quiet room.
Victor looked down at his son, his brow furrowing. ""Matthew, this is for your safety.""
Matthew stepped out from behind Hannah, planting his small sneakers firmly on the marble floor. ""Every time there are papers on the desk, you send me away! I don't want to go to the mountains! I want to stay here!""
Victor closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The strain of the past seventy-two hours was etched deeply into the lines around his eyes. ""Matthew, please. Don't do this today.""
Hannah placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder, then looked directly at Victor. ""He's right, Victor. Every time things get scary, you push him into a corner and build another wall. If Anthony is making a move, running away just tells him you're worried about your family.""
""This isn't a game, Hannah!"" Victor snapped, slamming his palm against the obsidian desk. Several lawyers jumped back in shock. ""Anthony doesn't play by rules. If he thinks Matthew is leverage, he won't hesitate!""
""Then let me look at the manifests,"" Hannah said calmly.
The room went dead silent. Marcus looked at her in disbelief, while the lead attorney let out an incredulous scoff.
""You're a nanny, Miss Moore,"" the lawyer sneered. ""These are international commercial logistics ledgers.""
""I was two semesters away from completing a dual degree in healthcare administration and forensic accounting before my mother got sick,"" Hannah replied coldly, not even glancing at the lawyer. ""Hospital billing departments make mafia syndicates look like amateur hour. Give me the manifests.""
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Victor stared at her for ten long seconds, the tension in the room vibrating like a plucked guitar string. Slowly, he pushed the thick binder across the desk.
""You have four hours,"" Victor said.
