My eight-year-old son said his grandfather had three grown men hold him down—then I called the one person from my old life I swore I’d never contact again / Chapter 9 / 27

Chapter 9 - Marcus says no

My first instinct after learning about the key was to ask Marcus to investigate Harold’s finances.

He refused.

“You don’t have legal authority.”

“I can search public records.”

“You can.”

“Then help.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re emotionally compromised.”

I hated him.

He continued:

“If Harold committed financial crimes, police or attorneys can develop lawful access. If you start digging through things using old professional contacts, every defense lawyer will call it contamination.”

“I know how to preserve evidence.”

“You are not evidence personnel in your son’s case.”

Silence.

Marcus said:

“Be a father.”

I nearly hung up.

Then:

“What can you do?”

“Help your attorney understand what questions financial records may answer. Public corporate registrations. Property records. Court filings. Nothing restricted.”

That was enough.

Barely.

Then he asked:

“What exactly did Harold say?”

I told him:

Where’s the rest?

Papers.

Who told you to go into my office?

Marcus went quiet.

Then:

“He thought the child found something.”

“Yes.”