Chapter 12 - The Roof
“I’m not signing anything,” Elena said.
Detective Alvarez motioned for everyone to stay silent while another officer traced the call.
Victoria’s breathing was ragged.
“I know.”
Elena stopped.
That was not the answer she expected.
Victoria continued, “Do not come here.”
A second later, Pike’s voice cut in.
“Mrs. Hale is feeling brave.”
Elena gripped the phone. “You stole my laptop.”
“I borrowed leverage.”
“You attacked Walter.”
“He should have stayed retired.”
Nathan stepped closer to the phone. “Daniel, if you hurt my mother—”
Pike laughed. “Nathan. Always arriving after the important part.”
The insult hit harder because it was true.
Elena saw Nathan react.
Pike gave instructions. Elena was to email a signed copy of the family agreement within fifteen minutes. In return, he would release Victoria and send back the laptop.
“No police tricks,” he added. “I can see the street.”
The line went dead.
Nathan said, “We sign.”
Elena looked at him.
“We can fight it later,” he said. “It’s forged, coerced, whatever. We sign and get her down.”
Claire snapped, “And give Pike control of Elena’s company?”
“I’m trying to keep my mother alive.”
Elena stepped between them. “Stop.”
She understood Nathan’s panic.
But panic was what people like Pike used.
She looked at Alvarez. “Can you delay the transfer?”
“Maybe. But he might know.”
Walter raised a hand. “The agreement has a hidden weakness.”
Everyone turned.
“The transfer only activates if Elena’s company remains privately controlled by her at the moment of signature.”
Elena stared at him.
“What if it doesn’t?”
Walter’s eyes sharpened. “Then the agreement transfers nothing.”
Elena reached for her phone.
Sophie frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Something I should have done months ago.”
She called her attorney.
Within ten minutes, emergency documents were prepared to transfer thirty percent of Marlowe Events into an employee ownership trust, effective immediately.
Elena signed digitally.
Then she signed Pike’s agreement.
The email went out.
For sixty seconds, nothing happened.
Then Victoria called.
“Elena?”
“Yes.”
“He’s checking it.”
A distant crash sounded.
Victoria screamed.
The line stayed open.
May you like
Then Pike said four words that froze everyone in the room.
“You changed the company.”
