The Merger

Chapter Eight: What Her Mother Knew

"Gerald Whitfield was your father's oldest friend," her mother said, after a silence that told Elena more than words could. "Before Wolfe. Before any of it. University together. When Cross and Wolfe fell apart, Gerald helped your father find financing to start over — quietly, off the books, because your father was too proud to ask through any channel that might put his failure in the papers."

"Then why is he working for the son of the man who destroyed him?"

"Because your father asked him to." The words landed like a physical weight. "He wanted eyes inside that company for the rest of his life, in case a chance ever came to set something right — not for himself, he always said it was too late for that. For you. He asked Gerald to take the CFO position years ago, and to keep him informed. He died before anything came of it. But if Gerald reached out to an investor about Wolfe Development's finances, I'd bet everything I have that it wasn't to destroy Damian Wolfe."

"Then what was it?"

"I think a man who's spent years watching that company from the inside, waiting for a reason to protect your father's legacy, finally saw one walk through the door. You. I think he's still trying to keep a promise to a man who's been dead four years." Her mother's voice softened. "Call him yourself. Before Thursday. Hear it from him directly."

Elena found Whitfield's direct line in the investor directory and dialed before she could lose her nerve. He picked up on the fourth ring.

"Gerald Whitfield."

"Mr. Whitfield. This is Elena Cross."

The sharp intake of breath on the other end told her everything before he said a word.

"Ms. Cross. I've been waiting four years for this exact phone call — and I'm afraid what I have to tell you is going to change everything you think you know about the man who's about to become your business partner."