The Silent Witness

Chapter 7: The Real Boss

Richard Cole's office was on the fortieth floor, all glass and steel, with a view of the entire city below. When Sarah and David arrived, he greeted them with a warm smile, as if they were old friends.

"Detective Ahmed. I heard about Faisal's arrest. Terrible business. He was head of our security — I trusted him completely."

"He says you ordered Adam Malik's murder," Sarah said, watching his face closely.

Richard's smile didn't move. "That's a serious accusation from a man trying to save himself. I understand criminals often blame others."

"Do you deny knowing about the fake vendor accounts?"

For just a second — barely visible — something flickered behind Richard's eyes. Then it was gone.

"I run a company with thousands of employees and hundreds of vendors, Detective. I can't personally check every account. If there was fraud, I assure you, I want it found and fixed as much as you do."

Sarah nodded slowly, though she believed none of it. "We'll need access to your company's financial records. All of them."

"Of course. My lawyers will contact you about the proper legal process." His tone was still friendly, but there was steel underneath it now. "These things take time, Detective. I'm sure you understand."

As they left the building, David shook his head. "He's not going to make this easy."

"No," Sarah agreed. "Men like him never do. But everyone leaves a trail. We just have to find his."

Her phone buzzed — a message from Zainab. Someone broke into my house last night. The flash drive is gone.

Sarah's blood ran cold. Someone was already working to erase the evidence — and they had moved fast.

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