Chapter 7 - The Penthouse Raid
Daniel arrived at the luxurious high-rise tower overlooking the bay within twenty minutes.
Sheriff Barnes and three state forensic investigators were methodically tagging items inside Vanessa Vance’s penthouse apartment.
The marble counters were strewn with evidence bags, files, and disassembled electronic hardware.
"Over here, Daniel," Sheriff Barnes called out, leading him into the master bedroom suite.
On the king-sized bed lay a series of open folders containing personal profiles, complete with background checks and photographs.
Daniel looked down and saw his own face staring back from the top document, alongside detailed notes regarding his daily travel routes and board meetings.
Directly beneath his profile was a complete dossier on Emily Porter.
"Why did she have an investigation running on Emily?" Daniel asked, flipping through the pages in disbelief.
"Look at the employment history," Barnes pointed out.
"Before Emily applied to work at your estate six months ago, she worked as an administrative assistant at Vance Logistics' accounting division.
"
Daniel paused, the pieces of the puzzle suddenly shifting into alignment.
"Emily was a whistleblower," Daniel murmured.
"She reported an illegal offshore transfer of five million dollars two years ago before being terminated without explanation.
"
"Exactly," Barnes confirmed.
"Vanessa didn't just pick a random maid to frame last night.
She recognized Emily when she visited your estate last month.
She realized Emily had access to your family archives and could connect the stolen port bids to the old Vance accounting fraud.
"
"She wanted Emily in prison so she couldn't testify in the upcoming federal audit," Daniel said, his fists clenching at his sides.
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"This was a pre-emptive strike to silence the only person who knew how the Vance family laundered their public bids.
"
