CHAPTER 28 – The Final Secret

Isabella Reed arrived at the quiet café just off St Paul’s Cathedral at exactly ten o’clock.

Michael Grant was already there.

He was sat at the furthest table from the entrance wearing a dark suit and looking much older than the previous week. His coffee was still untouched.

He stood up when Isabella arrived.

‘Thanks for coming.’

‘You said you had something important to tell me.’

‘I do.’

She sat down and put her phone on the table.

Michael checked.

‘You’re recording?’

‘I’m just taking some notes. If you’d like to give a formal statement then we can organise that.’

He nodded.

‘Okay.’

Isabella opened her notebook.

‘So where are the missing records?’

‘Some were transferred to a private storage facility. The rest went to Harold Finch, a solicitor who worked with the clubs previous legal advisors.’

‘Was he involved in the cover-up?’

‘I’m not sure. I was told he would keep the documents safe until the investigation could be carried out.’

‘Did he?’

‘No.’

Michael looked at his hands.

‘A few weeks later Richard Vale got in touch with me. He wanted to say that everything was sorted and to keep the records a secret. I asked a few questions but he reminded me I had dealt with Daniel’s contract ending.’

‘Was that a threat?’

‘It was a warning. He made it clear that if the documents were found out then my name would be linked to the situation.’

Isabella looked at Michael.

“So you stayed quiet.”

‘Yes.’

‘What about when Alexander came to see you about Daniel?’

Michael closed his eyes.

‘Yes.’

Anger boiled inside her.

‘You let him think he had failed his friend when you actually had information to help him?’

‘I thought I was helping.’

Everyone in this situation seems to have an excuse to help someone.

Michael nodded.

‘I do.’

‘Where is the solicitor now?’

‘He has retired. I believe he has moved to Surrey. I do have an old address and some correspondence which should help me find him.’

‘Why didn’t you report it to the authorities?’

‘I was scared. I had a career to think about, clients and my reputation. I told myself that I would stay quiet for a little while. A year passed. Then another year. Eventually I became comfortable with staying quiet.’

Isabella noted this down.

‘Did you know Daniel was in danger?’

‘I knew he was scared and that he felt like he was being watched. However I didn’t know how severe the situation had gotten until he went missing.’

‘Did you help him get out?’

Michael paused.

‘I handled his contract ending. But I did give him the name of someone who could help him get somewhere safe.’

‘Who?’

‘An ex client based in Manchester. He got in touch with him after leaving London.’

‘So that is how you found his address?’

‘In part. But I never knew if he was using the same name. I didn’t want to get him into trouble.’

Isabella leaned forward.

‘So why are you telling me now?’

Michael looked out of the window.

‘Because finally Alexander admitted what he had done. He told the board that he had received Daniel’s message but ignored it. I realised he was willing to lose everything rather than keep hiding.’

He looked back at her.

‘I have told myself for seven years that I needed to stay quiet. But really I was just making excuses.’

Isabella shut her notebook.

‘Will you give a formal statement?’

‘Yes.’

‘Will you hand over all the documents you have?’

‘Yes.’

‘And will you work with the investigation even if it implicates you?’

Michael’s face tightened.

He nodded.

‘Yes.’

For the first time since they had started talking Isabella believed him.

He pulled a thick envelope from his briefcase and slid it across the table.

Inside were copies of emails, a transfer note and a letter addressed to Harold Finch.

The letter mentioned a sealed package having been delivered to his office seven years previously.

Containing the original documents regarding the Westbridge academy financial investigation and Daniel Mercer’s contract ending.

Isabella read this over twice.

‘This could be the missing file.’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you know where he kept them?’

‘His old office is no longer open but he may have kept them privately.’

‘We’ll find him.’

Michael paused.

‘There’s something else.’

Isabella looked up.

‘What?’

‘Richard Vale has been asking questions about Alexander’s future at Westbridge. He wants him to be permanently removed.’

‘Why?’

‘Because he has become erratic. He no longer obeys orders without question.’

Isabella put the papers back into the envelope.

‘So he has made a mistake.’

Michael looked at her.

‘What mistake?’

‘He assumed Alexander cared more about his career than the truth.’

Isabella stood up.

‘Thank you for the documents. I will have them looked at.’

‘Isabella?’

She turned.

‘Can you please tell Alexander I’m sorry.’

‘I think you should.’

She left the café with the envelope pressed tightly against her side.

Outside the world of London was carrying on as normal. Buses roared past, office workers rushed by and a cyclist yelled at a taxi.

But they were closer than ever.

Later that afternoon Isabella met up with Alexander.

He opened the door with a smile but quickly grew worried.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Michael has finally decided to speak.’

She handed over the envelope.

Alexander looked at the documents. His face grew more serious with each page.

‘So the original file is with Finch?’

‘Possibly. Michael said it was delivered to him seven years ago.’

‘If we find it?’

‘We may finally find out who gave the orders to stop the investigation and force Daniel out.’

Alexander looked at the letter.

“Then we find Finch.”

Isabella nodded.

Before they could react Alexander’s phone began ringing.

It was the club’s board secretary.

Alexander answered and his face changed.

When he finished he looked at Isabella.

‘They want to meet again tomorrow morning.’

‘For what?’

‘They want me to explain why I’ve continued to work with your investigation despite being told not to discuss it publicly by the club.’

Isabella frowned.

‘That isn’t refusing to work with the club.’

‘No. But I think Vale wants to make it look like it.’

She took his hand.

‘Tell them the truth.’

Alexander squeezed her fingers.

‘No matter what I will no longer hide.’