Chapter 6 - The Aunt Who Taught Me to Lie
Irina Volkov had raised Catherine after her mother died. She taught her to read a balance sheet before she could drive, to speak carefully, and to never assume loyalty was permanent. Catherine loved her with the complicated gratitude of a child who had been protected by someone who expected obedience in return.
Seeing Irina’s name on Meridian Family Services felt like discovering a crack in the foundation of her own memories.
Nadia examined the corporate filings. “She became director eighteen months ago. The charity acquired three shell companies. One handled the medical imports.”
“Does that prove she knew?” Catherine asked.
“No. But it gives us a place to look.”
Catherine called her aunt. Irina answered on the second ring.
“You have been very busy, Katya.”
“Why are you on the Meridian board?”
A pause. “Because the clinics needed financing.”
“Did you know what was being shipped?”
“You should ask yourself why your husband was involved.”
“I am asking you.”
Irina’s voice cooled. “You have forgotten who protected you when your father’s enemies wanted your family gone.”
“I haven’t forgotten. That is why I’m giving you the chance to explain.”
Irina ended the call.
Catherine sat alone for several minutes. She had expected Victor to betray her. He had demonstrated his character every day of their marriage. Irina was different. Irina had been the voice that told Catherine she was safe.
At a council meeting that evening, Vargas suggested they handle the problem privately. Sokolov wanted to suspend Meridian’s access to every distribution route. Kensington urged a documented review.
Catherine listened to all three.
“No private punishment,” she said at last. “We cooperate with Brooks. If Irina is innocent, evidence will protect her. If she is guilty, I will not protect her.”
Vargas frowned. “The family will consider that disloyal.”
“Then the family needs a better definition of loyalty.”
Afterward, Arthur stayed behind. “Your father once said you were too stubborn to inherit his chair.”
Catherine almost smiled. “He said that every Tuesday.”
“He also said you might be the only one who could change it.”
The next day, Agent Brooks confirmed that Meridian had supplied counterfeit medicine to clinics through multiple intermediaries. She also revealed that Ward’s death had been reclassified as a suspected homicide after new evidence emerged.
Victor’s attorney requested a private meeting. Catherine refused unless Brooks approved and her own lawyer attended. When the meeting finally occurred, Victor looked older than he had at the gala.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “Mercer and Irina had agreements before I was involved.”
“Then tell the investigators.”
“I can’t. They’ll kill me.”
“Who?”
Victor looked toward the recording device on the table. “You know who.”
Catherine felt the familiar temptation to bargain: offer him safety in exchange for a name, take the matter into her own hands, finish it before anyone else could interfere. She let the temptation pass.
“You can ask for protection,” she said. “But I cannot promise immunity.”
Victor laughed bitterly. “You always were cold.”
“No. I simply stopped confusing love with the obligation to rescue you from your choices.”
That evening Mikhail arrived at Catherine’s apartment with a small envelope. Inside was a letter their mother had written before her death. Irina had kept it hidden for years.
May you like
The final paragraph was underlined: IF IRINA EVER ASKS YOU TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE FAMILY NAME AND AN INNOCENT PERSON, CHOOSE THE PERSON.
Catherine read it twice. For the first time since the gala, she cried.
