Page 102 of The Cinderella Secret
“But I’ll take whatever I can get,” said Aiden. “The destruction of records, the forgeries, the bank robbery—any of it works.”
“The deaths of the bank robbers,” added Jackson. “Although, it’s my bet that he had Joe Foss and Unified Coverage handle that.”
“What?” Ella looked from Jackson to Aiden. “When did that happen?”
“Oh,” said Aiden with a grimace. “Yesterday. Sorry. Forgot to mention that when you came in.”
“Four dead people slipped your mind?” she demanded.
“Well, yeah. We’ve been busy. And I didn’t want to cover it over text.”
“What the hell happened?”
“Most likely, whoever hired them met them in an abandoned warehouse and poisoned them,” said Jackson.
“Son of a bitch.” Ella stood up angrily, unable to sit still any longer. She walked the length of the conference room. “I don’t like this. I’ve pressed my uncle as far as I can on what happened to my father. He believes it was one of your uncles.” She held up a hand, forestalling commentary. “I realize that you disagree. I also realize that it was far more likely to have been whoever he was working with selling Department of Defense information. What I have not been able to get confirmation of is whether or not my uncle knew that’s where Dad’s money came from.”
“You’re worried that if what your father was doing comes out, it could bounce back on your uncle?” asked Jackson.
Ella took a deep breath. “Yes. Mom knew what Dad was doing. She didn’t know who he was working with, but she knew enough to get us out of the country. I always thought that she was…controlling and that Dad’s family didn’t approve of her because of her…” She looked at Aiden for help.
“Lifestyle choices,” he supplied.
“Yes. And I thought that was why she didn’t go to Bai for help. Because even back then, Bai had money and connections. He probably could have protected us. In retrospect, it’s telling that she didn’t go to him, even for money.”
“You think your mom thought Bai was involved somehow?” asked Jackson.
“I don’t know. I didn’t even think to ask her about it when I called her.” Ella tried to ease the rubber band holding her ponytail. “I guess I could call her again.”
“No,” said Aiden.
Ella wanted to argue or say it was fine, but the truth was she didn’t actually want to.
“I can’t guarantee that it won’t come out,” said Jackson. “We can put the brakes on. The two of you could drop the lawsuit and we all walk away. It sounds like that would be unpleasant for you personally, but we could explain the truth to your uncle.”
“He won’t believe me,” said Ella. “He’s really convinced Randall or Owen killed my father. He’s set on DevEntier because he wants revenge.”
Jackson and Aiden exchanged a look that spoke volumes about both their opinions on their deceased relatives and their own relationship.
“I understand that idea,” said Aiden. “I’m also used to thinking of my uncles as doing everything evil. And I’m not suggesting that he was ever like them, but I think I can walk Bai through the evidence that strongly suggests that it was not them.”
Ella smiled at him but wasn’t cheered up by his sweetness. “I doubt I could even get him to meet with you. If I can’t prove it was someone else, I don’t think…” She trailed off, breaking eye contact.
“Got it,” said Jackson. “You have to come back with someone’s head on a platter otherwise Aiden’s not going to be welcome at the dinner table. But if it comes out that Zhao Industries was built on profits from industrial espionage, it could be a serious problem for your uncle.”
“Am I right in thinking,” asked Aiden, “that as long as your uncle knows who killed Bo, and that it wasn’t our family, that we don’t have to pursue prosecution for that? We could focus on the bank robbers?”
“Yes,” said Ella, running that through the matrix of what she knew about Bai. “I think he would be satisfied. As long as there was some measure of justice.”
“I still can’t guarantee it won’t come out,” said Jackson.
“I think we have to risk it,” said Aiden. “Bai would have to be crazy if he thought he could pursue DevEntier without having the past dug up. He had to know that there was a chance that Bo’s activities would come to light. If anyone is going to get what they want, let alone everyone, I think we have to move ahead.”
Ella could practically feel the train surging forward as she nodded. “What do you want to do?”
“Exactly what Jackson’s set up: a meeting with you and Charlie and Jackson. I want the two of you to get him on tape admitting to something. Anything. But preferably, the bank robbery.”
“I’m at a massage,” said Ella.
