Page 46 of Defending Love
I looked around the first floor, remembering our unwelcome visitors. “In there with you. I don’t feel like being alone.”
Despite my desire for togetherness, I spent nearly the next twenty minutes in my bedroom in conversation with Stephen Elliott, the head of Sinclair’s legal department, and a close friend of my father’s. When he mentioned Mr. Ayers, I told him the truth. I hadn’t checked my emails. I told Stephen about the visit from the FBI or fake FBI.
He advised me that Eli’s answers were correct. No law enforcement officer may legally enter a house or even a rented villa without a warrant. That warrant must specify what the law enforcement officers were searching for. Rarely was a blanket search warrant issued. However, if during their legal search, they came across illegal material or substances, those too could be confiscated. “I don’t have anything illegal.” My gaze went to the striped bag.
Did Dad have something illegal?
Stephen laughed. “Dani, I’ve known you all your life. I highly doubt you would have anything illegal. I’ll contact the Jacksonville field office tomorrow morning and check on the identities of Special Agents Timmons and Wilson.”
“Thank you,” I replied as I pulled the large manila envelope from the bag with my gloved hands. Turning it over multiple times, I spoke, “Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask.”
That felt like Eli’s answer when he said there were times he might not be able to give me the answers I wanted.
“You knew Dad well.”
“My best friend.”
“Did Dad have any secrets that could have led to his death or something he was hiding?” I pried the metal clasp open.
I couldn’t open the envelope without tearing the paper.
Stephen replied, “I’ve been thinking about that since the shooting. I can’t think of anything. Derek was a shrewd businessman, but he wasn’t unethical and wouldn’t do anything illegal. He was fair with his employees and with the business. You said you opened his safe. Was there anything there?”
“We haven’t gone through all of it yet. Did you know Dad had hundreds of my grandfather’s and great-grandfather’s journals?”
Steam. I could steam it open. I tried to stay focused and listened to Stephen.
“Oh yes. Derek could spend hours reading those over and over.”
“The ones in his desk drawer are gone.”
“Gone? They were there when I was there.”
My forehead furrowed. “You looked in Dad’s desk?”
“Yes. It’s where I found his insurance papers and will.”
“But you had a copy of his last will and testament at your office.”
“Right, but I was afraid if he hadn’t destroyed the old one, there would be consequences. Remember, the clause about selling Sinclair? He rewrote the will after his illness.”
That was right.
“Why do you think Dad liked those journals so much?” I asked.
“I don’t have a good answer for you. I can just say that he derived pleasure from knowing the family business was still going strong, despite ups and downs.”
“Were there downs that were more severe than I realized?”
“Dani, we should talk in person. You could ask Damien.”
“When?” I pressured.
Stephen sighed. “During the dark Darius days was probably the worst that I can remember. I was tasked with investigating if Chapter 11 was the right route for Sinclair.”
I gasped. “I thought Dad was thinking of selling to Eli Lilly.”
