He held up the tape reel, a recording Thomas made shortly before he disappeared. Let's hear what he captured. Davis connected the tape player to portable speakers and pressed play. After a moment of static, voices emerge from the past. William Grant's aristocratic tones first, followed by Thomas's more measured cadence.
The arrangements are complete, Grant was saying. The Swiss accounts are established, and the final transfers will be complete by months end. Blackwell Steel's most valuable assets will be liquidated through our shell companies before anyone realizes what's happening. And the workers, Thomas asked, his voice tight with controlled anger. Their pensions, the promises we made.
Grant's laugh was cold. Don't be naive, Thomas. Business is business. If they wanted security, they should have chosen different careers. The smart ones will find other jobs.
The rest aren't my concern. I won't let you do this, Thomas declared. I've documented everything. The false accounts, the offshore transfers, the shell companies. If this goes public, you'll face criminal charges.
Nobody will believe you, Grant countered, his voice hardening. I've already planted evidence of your embezzlement, your signature on transfer authorizations, backdated memos in your handwriting. It's your word against mine, and I own three county judges and the district attorney. So that's it. You steal millions, destroy thousands of lives, and walk away clean.
That's how the world works, Thomas. The strong take what they want, and the weak suffer what they must. You're an idealist. That's why you'll lose. Now you have a choice.
Sign over your shares at the price I'm offering. Resign quietly and I'll let you walk away. Refuse and I'll destroy you, your reputation, your freedom, your family. The tape continued documenting Grant's detailed confession of his crimes and explicit threats against Thomas and his loved ones. When it finally ended, the room was silent.
The former mill workers and their families stunned by the revelations. That tape is dated May 1st, 19, Ethan said quietly. Two weeks before Thomas disappeared. He knew Grant would make good on his threats, so he hid this evidence where it could be found when the time was right. Why now?
Someone asked. Why, after all these years? Because Thomas designed his plan to protect his family first. His son James, my father, who was sent away for safety, and because he knew it would take resources to fight the Grant legacy. Ethan gestured to the financial documents.