Epilogue
Elena
“I’ve asked you all here for what is, in essence, a secret meeting,” Addler says, addressing everyone. “What’s said here should not leave the group.”
The six of us nod our heads.
“Derrick Stockton, Nicole Fuentes,” he says, going around the room. “Ezequiel Mata, Sage Donohue, Bill Connors, Elena Santos, and I’m Addler de Marco.”
We all nod to or share a smile with the others in the room.
“In a couple of hours, Simon Kelly, Derrick’s brother, will be arriving to announce the construction division has been sold, and I’m the new owner. What we’re asking you to do is help check on locations where Kelly Oil & Gas has been doing business. Derrick and Nicole found an anomaly in the books. Money’s being manipulated within the organization. We need to confirm the work being done on paper is actually being done in the field before he can move forward.”
“What kind of work?” Sage asks, her brow furrowed. “Or how much money are we talking?”
“Millions, tens of millions, actually.”
Sage’s mouth drops open. “Holy mother of God.”
Ezequiel runs his hand down his face.
Bill drops his chin onto his chest.
I take Addler’s hand, squeezing his fingers as Derrick and Nicole glance at each other.
“And, unfortunately, we don’t have much time to search,” Derrick adds, staring out into the darkness.
The sun is barely peeking over the horizon as we all head to our vehicles, ready to search the locations for any anomaly that might explain the missing money. Then it’s up to Derrick to take the information to his brother and maybe to the police.
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