Chapter 7: The Bracelet
Daniel called again at noon.
I was back in my office, working through the board's emergency authorization to cooperate fully with the federal investigation, when his name appeared on my screen.
I looked at it for three full rings before I answered.
"Warren's been taken in for questioning," he said.
No greeting.
"You actually did it."
"I did."
"Audrey." His voice was different from the airport call — the shaking was gone, replaced by something flatter.
Tired.
"I need you to understand that I didn't know how deep Warren was in with Ashworth.
I thought it was just — I thought it was money moving between accounts.
I didn't know about the federal exposure."
"You forged my signature on forty-one transactions, Daniel."
"Warren forged your signature.
I signed off on the vendor approvals.
There's a difference."
"Not a meaningful one."
A pause.
"I'm coming back."
I set my pen down.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'm at the airport.
I'm coming back.
Chloe—" He stopped.
"It doesn't matter.
I'm coming back, and I want to sit down with you and Grace and work out an arrangement.
Something that keeps this from going to trial.
I can give you information on Ashworth's other operations.
Things that aren't in your folder.
Things the SEC doesn't have."
I thought about my mother's letter.
About the nine years of federal investigation that had never quite reached Gerald Ashworth.
"What kind of information?"
"The kind that ends his operation entirely.
Not just the Sterling accounts — everything.
I have records, Audrey.
Dates, transfers, names.
I kept them because I wasn't stupid enough to be the only person without insurance."
"Where is Chloe?"
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"She left this morning.
When the accounts froze and I told her what was actually happening — she left." His voice was careful and controlled in a way that told me he was working very hard to keep it that way.
"She took the bracelet."
I sat back in my chair.
"She took my mother's bracelet."
"I'll get it back.
That's part of why I'm coming back.
I'll get it back and I'll give you everything I have on Ashworth and I'll cooperate fully with the investigation.
I just need—" He stopped again.
"I need you to tell Grace to leave a door open."
I looked out my office window.
The same city.
The same taxis.
A different morning.
"Come back, Daniel," I said.
"Turn yourself in to Grace's office directly.
Bring everything you have on Ashworth.
If the information is what you say it is, Grace will talk to the federal team about cooperation."
"And the bracelet?"
"Find it."
I ended the call.
My assistant knocked and opened the door.
"There's a woman here who says she doesn't have an appointment but that you'll want to see her.
She says her name is Chloe Ruiz."
I looked up.
"She's holding a velvet case," my assistant added.
May you like
I was quiet for a moment.
"Send her in," I said.
