Chapter 4 Altered bank records

Kiara swallowed. "My sister, Ariana. We need your help, Mr. Harris."

He gestured to the chairs in front of his massive desk. "Sit."

As they took their seats, Ariana studied the office-the modern art on the walls, the precisely arranged desk, the complete absence of personal items. Everything whispered control.

Sebastian steepled his fingers. "Speak."

Kiara laid out the facts quickly-their father's arrest, the fabricated charges, the demand for money. Sebastian Harris listened without interruption, his expression unreadable.

When she finished, he leaned back. "And what exactly do you expect me to do?"

Ariana spoke up. "We were hoping you might know someone who could help verify these documents are fake. Or point us toward legal representation that could-"

"I have better lawyers than your family could afford in ten lifetimes," Sebastian interrupted. "The question is-why should I involve myself?"

Kiara sat up straighter. "I'll dance at any event you want. For free. As many as you need."

Sebastian's lips twitched. "Not quite enough." His gaze shifted to Ariana. "You're the artist, yes? I've seen your work at the gallery on MM."

Ariana blinked in surprise. "You have?"

"I own the building." He stood and walked to a side table, pouring himself a glass of water. "Here's my proposal. Your sister performs at my annual gala next month. You, will create a mural for my new corporate headquarters. In return, I'll have my legal team look into your father's case."

Ariana hesitated. "Just look into it?"

Sebastian took a slow sip of water. "Let's see what they find first. Then we'll discuss next steps."

The sisters exchanged glances. It wasn't a complete solution, but it was more than they had.

"Deal," Ariana said.

Sebastian nodded and pressed a button on his desk. His secretary appeared instantly. "Draw up the agreements." As the woman left, he added, "My driver will take you home. I'll be in touch within forty-eight hours."

Back in the elevator, Kiara let out a shaky breath. "That went... better than I thought."

Ariana watched the floor numbers descend. "We just made a deal with a man we know nothing about."

"But he's our best shot," Kiara said softly.

The black town car dropped them outside their apartment building. As they walked up the stairs, Kiara checked her phone. "Martin called twice while we were in the meeting."

Ariana unlocked their door. "Call him back. Tell him we might have new legal help, but don't mention Mr. Harris yet."

While Kiara made the call, Ariana went to her art supplies and began sorting through her sketchbooks. She needed to start planning the mural for Harris's headquarters.

Kiara came in fifteen minutes later, tossing her phone on the couch. "Martin said the police returned Dad's personal items from his office. Just some files and his laptop. They're holding it at the station for us."

Ariana looked up from her sketches. "We should go get it. There might be something useful."

-----

At the police station, a tired-looking officer handed them a cardboard box. "Sign here," he said, pushing a clipboard toward them.

The laptop was password protected. "Probably his usual one," Kiara said. "Birth year and Mom's name."

Back home, the password worked. Ariana opened the files while Kiara sorted through the papers. Most were routine business documents, but one folder caught Ariana's attention-labeled "SH Projects" with recent dates.

Kiara peered over her shoulder. "SH... Sebastian Harris?"

Ariana opened the files. They contained architectural plans and contracts between Cross Enterprise and Harris Corporation. "Dad was working on one of his projects."

Kiara pointed to a highlighted section. "This says the last payment was delayed. By three months."

Ariana checked the dates. "Right before Dad got arrested." She closed the laptop. "We need to speak to Mr. Harris again."

Kiara bit her lip. "You think he had something to do with this?"

"I think we just agreed to work for someone who might have intentionally shortchanged dad." Ariana reached for her phone. "But first, let's see what his lawyers find."

---

The next morning, Sebastian's secretary called. "President Harris requests your presence at his office at 2 PM," she said crisply before hanging up.

They arrived exactly on time. Sebastian was reviewing documents when they entered. Without looking up, he said, "Sit."

He finally set the papers down. "My team found discrepancies in the prosecution's evidence. The bank records appear altered."

Ariana leaned forward. "Can you prove it?"

"Given time." Sebastian templed his fingers. "But I discovered your father was working on a major project for my company at the time of his arrest."

Kiara spoke up. "We saw the files. The payment was late."

Sebastian's expression didn't change. "A clerical error. The funds were released this morning." He slid an envelope across the desk. "With interest."

Ariana didn't touch it. "That doesn't explain why he was arrested."

"No," Sebastian agreed. "But it does suggest someone wanted to disrupt our business arrangement." He stood. "My lawyers will handle your father's case. Our original agreement stands-your sister performs at my hostings, you paint the mural."

As they left the building, Kiara clutched the envelope. "This is enough to cover a part of Dad's legal fees for now."

Ariana hailed a cab. "First we pay Martin and his team. Then we find out who really set up Dad-because I don't think it was President Harris."

"Why not?"

"Because if he wanted to hurt us," Ariana said as the cab pulled up, "he wouldn't be helping now."

The cab pulled up outside Martin Cole's law firm, a modest brick building in the older part of downtown. Kiara clutched the envelope from Sebastian Harris tightly as they stepped inside. The receptionist waved them through to Martin's office without a word.

Martin was on the phone when they entered, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair. He held up a finger, finishing his call before turning to them. "I was just about to call you. The prosecutor's office sent over some additional documents-"

Ariana placed the envelope on his desk. "President Harris gave us this. It's payment Dad was owed, plus interest."

Martin's hand froze halfway to the envelope. "You went to Sebastian Harris?" His voice was carefully controlled.

Kiara shifted in her seat. "We needed help. His lawyers already found inconsistencies in the bank records."

Martin leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "You should have come to me first. Sebastian doesn't do favors without strings attached."

Ariana met his gaze. "What strings would those be?"

"That's what gives me concern." Martin finally picked up the envelope, flipping through the checks inside. "This covers a percentage of the legal fees, yes. But what did you promise him?"

"A mural for his corporate office," Ariana said. "And Kiara performing at his gala."

Martin exhaled sharply. "That's it? No other conditions?"

"Not yet."

Martin set the envelope aside. "I'll deposit these, but we're not relying on President Harris. I've been reviewing the case files-the drug trafficking charge is based on an anonymous tip, but the police found nothing in the warehouse."

Kiara frowned. "Then why hasn't that charge been dropped?"