CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The peace Aisha had begun to enjoy was interrupted by another message.
It arrived late on Monday evening.
You think the truth has saved you. Ask Richard what he promised Robert before the accusations began.
Aisha immediately sent the message to Daniel and the detective.
Daniel called her.
"Don't respond to the number. The detective needs to see this."
"I won't. But what if there's another secret?"
"Then we'll find out through the proper channels."
The following morning, the detective contacted Richard about the message.
Richard was surprised by the allegation but agreed to answer questions.
During the interview, he explained that Robert had once demanded control of the company in exchange for stopping the accusations against Grace. Richard had refused to agree to the demand.
However, Richard admitted that he had privately negotiated with Robert on several occasions, hoping to resolve the business dispute without a public scandal.
"Why didn't you tell us this earlier?" Daniel asked when his father explained the situation.
"Because I was ashamed of how long I allowed Robert to manipulate me. I thought I could handle him without involving anyone else."
Aisha shook her head.
"That sounds familiar."
Richard accepted the criticism.
"I know. I made the same mistake again."
He provided the investigators with correspondence from the negotiations. The documents showed that he had attempted to settle the dispute, but they did not establish that he had agreed to help Robert frame Grace.
The detective explained that the messages would be examined alongside the other evidence.
After the meeting, Daniel and Aisha walked outside.
"I hate how every answer leads to another question," Aisha said.
Daniel nodded.
"But at least we're getting the answers from evidence now, not from anonymous messages."
She took a breath.
"That's true."
He stopped beside her.
"Are you okay?"
Aisha thought about it.
"I'm getting there. I just want to know that we can finally move forward without someone trying to frighten us."
Daniel held her hand.
"Whatever happens with the investigation, we won't let anonymous threats make our decisions."
She leaned towards him.
"Thank you for reminding me."
He kissed her gently.
For the rest of the day, Aisha focused on work and refused to let the message control her thoughts.
She had spent enough of her life reacting to other people's fear.
Now she was determined to make her own choices.
And if another secret remained, she would face it with patience, evidence and the people she trusted.