Chapter 5 - THE ENGRAVED WATCH
“Evelyn,” I said, keeping my voice terrifyingly calm. “Put my daughter on the phone.”
“Claire is fine,” Evelyn replied smoothly. “She’s upstairs in her room, where she belongs. You, on the other hand, are making a very large mess, Michael.”
“You forged my signature, Evelyn. You extorted single mothers. You starved children.”
She let out a dry, dismissive laugh. “Oh, please. Don't be so dramatic. Hawthorne needed capital to secure the regional sports tournament. That tournament brings in million-dollar donors. We leveraged an unused asset to ensure the school's future. It’s business.”
“It’s child abuse.”
“It’s reality,” she snapped. “And if you go to the police, I will hand them a very convincing paper trail showing that you orchestrated the transfer to pay off your own company's debts. I have the board on my side. Who do you have? A fired lunch lady and a crying teacher?”
She hung up.
I stared at the phone. She was bluffing. She had to be.
But Evelyn didn't bluff. She planned.
I looked at Beth, who was watching me with wide eyes.
“Take this,” I said, handing Beth the flash drive and the leather portfolio. “Keep them safe. I’m going to Evelyn’s house.”
I drove across town to Evelyn’s sprawling estate in the gated community of Oak Ridge. Cars lined the driveway—BMWs, Mercedes, Lexuses. A school board fundraiser.
I didn't knock. I walked straight through the front door.
The living room was filled with well-dressed people sipping champagne.
Evelyn stood by the fireplace, wearing a stunning black dress, talking to Principal Davis and a man I recognized as City Councilman Robert Vance.
The room went quiet as I walked in.
“Michael,” Evelyn said, her smile tightening. “You’re not invited.”
“Where is Claire?” I demanded, ignoring the crowd.
“She’s sleeping,” Evelyn lied smoothly. “You are embarrassing yourself. Leave before I call security.”
I walked right up to her. I didn't yell. I didn't have to.
“You have until tomorrow morning to return the forty-five thousand dollars to the meal program, and you are going to refund every single parent you extorted,” I said.
Principal Davis stepped forward, adjusting his tie. “Mr. Callahan, you are drunk. I suggest you go home.”
As Davis moved his arm, his sleeve pulled back, revealing his heavy gold watch.
My eyes locked onto it.
It wasn't just a Rolex. It was a custom Day-Date.
I knew watches. I collected them. That specific model cost exactly forty-five thousand dollars.
I looked at the watch, then at Evelyn, then at Davis.
Answer one: The money didn't go to the athletic lounge. Open two: Evelyn bought the principal to secure her position.
“Nice watch, Davis,” I said loudly. The room was dead silent now. “Custom engraving on the back?”
Davis paled. He pulled his sleeve down quickly.
“I checked the athletic lounge on my way out of the school today,” I lied effortlessly. “It hasn't been touched in three years. So where did the funds really go, Evelyn? Did you buy Davis a Rolex to buy his vote for Board President?”
Whispers erupted among the guests.
Evelyn’s face flushed with fury. “Get out of my house!”
“I’m leaving,” I said. “But I’m taking my daughter.”
I bypassed them and marched up the grand staircase. I found Claire’s room and opened the door.
She was sitting on her bed, fully dressed, her backpack clutched to her chest.
When she saw me, she ran across the room and threw her arms around my waist.
“I want to go home, Dad,” she cried.
“We’re going,” I said, kissing the top of her head.
I led her downstairs. Evelyn didn't try to stop me this time. She just glared at me with absolute hatred.
We got to my car. I strapped Claire in, my heart still racing.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
She nodded, wiping her eyes.
I started the engine. As I pulled out of the driveway, Claire reached into her backpack to get her water bottle.
She pulled out a small, black object.
It wasn't hers.
It was a cheap burner phone.
“Dad, this isn't mine,” she said, confused.
I took it from her. There was a piece of masking tape on the back. Written in black marker was a single word.
EVIDENCE.
May you like
I turned the phone on. There was only one text message in the inbox.
They didn't just steal the meal money. Look at the construction bids for the new gym. Vance gets 20%. Meet me at the school parking lot at midnight. Come alone.
