Her name was Caroline Bennett, and she had worked for Harlan Development for nearly fifteen years. She was fifty-two, respected in local business circles, and rarely appeared in public photographs without Victor standing nearby.
Rebecca requested an interview through Caroline's attorney.
At first, Caroline declined.
Then she learned that Robert's cassette recordings had been recovered.
Her attorney contacted Rebecca the following morning.
Caroline was willing to speak.
They met in a conference room at a neutral office building.
Daniel expected someone arrogant or defensive.
Instead, Caroline entered looking exhausted.
She placed a folder on the table before sitting down.
“My father kept telling me he made a terrible mistake,” she began.
Daniel stared.
“What mistake?”
Caroline explained that Charles Bennett had prepared financial statements for Brooks Transport during its final years. He was instructed to record certain transfers as legitimate business transactions, although supporting documents were incomplete.
Charles initially believed the arrangements were authorized.
Later, he began questioning whether the transactions accurately reflected what happened.
“He tried correcting the records,” Caroline said.
“Did Victor stop him?” Rebecca asked.
Caroline hesitated.
“My father believed Victor pressured him to remain silent.”
Daniel felt anger rising.
“Then why didn't he tell the authorities?”
“He was afraid of losing his license and facing consequences for his own involvement.”
Caroline opened the folder.
Inside were copies of correspondence, internal notes, and several financial statements Charles preserved before his death.
“He gave these to me,” she explained. “He said if the truth ever came out, I should make sure Robert's family received them.”
“Why didn't you contact us?” Daniel demanded.
Caroline lowered her eyes.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Losing my career. My home. Everything I've built.”
Daniel shook his head.
“My father lost all those things.”
“I know.”
She began crying.
“And I hated myself every day for staying quiet.”
Rebecca examined the documents carefully.
Some appeared to support claims that certain transactions were recorded differently across related companies.
Others referenced outstanding ownership interests.
The material would need forensic review, but it could help reconstruct what happened.
Daniel looked toward Caroline.
“Why come forward now?”
She wiped her eyes.
“Because I saw the video of your son helping Samuel.”
Daniel frowned.
“What does Ethan have to do with this?”
Caroline looked directly at him.
“Everyone else walked past that old man. Your boy didn't.”
She paused.
“My father used to say Robert Brooks was the only businessman he knew who'd risk losing a contract to protect a driver.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I watched your son do the same kind of thing.”
Daniel sat silently.
Then Caroline pushed another envelope toward him.
“This belonged to your father.”
Inside was a photograph of Robert holding baby Daniel.
On the back, Charles had written:
The man who deserved better.