FABLE

The Missing Evidence

A Torn Photo in the Busy Market Revealed a Shocking Truth

The heavy iron gate of the underground parking garage closed with a loud, echoey slam behind Eleanor’s car[span_60](start_span)[span_60](end_span)[span_61](start_span)[span_61](end_span). Arthur, a grey-haired man in a dark grey tailored suit, was waiting by the elevator doors with two armed security officers[span_62](start_span)[span_62](end_span). Eleanor jumped out of the car, sprinting to the back door to pull Leo out[span_63](start_span)[span_63](end_span).

Lawyer: Eleanor! Good lord, are you alright?

Eleanor: We’re unharmed, but Richard’s men are active. They tried to ram us off the road!

Lawyer: This is insane. If what you're saying is true, Richard committed kidnapping, fraud, and corporate theft[span_64](start_span)[span_64](end_span).

Leo: Are you the doctor?

Lawyer: No, young man. I’m your father’s lawyer. And I’ve been looking for the truth for ten years.

Leo: Uncle Richard said my dad didn't love me.

Lawyer: Uncle Richard lied to you, kiddo. Your dad set up a trust fund to make sure you were taken care of forever[span_65](start_span)[span_65](end_span).

They walked quickly into Arthur’s private conference room on the twelfth floor[span_66](start_span)[span_66](end_span). Huge glass windows overlooked the city skyline, but Eleanor immediately pulled the blinds shut[span_67](start_span)[span_67](end_span). She sat Leo down on a plush leather chair and handed him a glass of juice and a sandwich from the office kitchen[span_68](start_span)[span_68](end_span)[span_69](start_span)[span_69](end_span).

Leo: Thanks... I haven't eaten since yesterday morning.

Eleanor: Oh, my poor baby... eat as much as you want.

Lawyer: Eleanor, we need proof before we contact the district attorney. The police won't arrest a billionaire trustee on just a story[span_70](start_span)[span_70](end_span)[span_71](start_span)[span_71](end_span).

Eleanor: Look at his face, Arthur! Look at the birthmark on his left shoulder! He is my son!

Lawyer: A birthmark isn't enough in court. Richard produced a sealed death certificate signed by Dr. Vance ten years ago[span_72](start_span)[span_72](end_span).

Leo: Wait... Dr. Vance?

Lawyer: Yes. He was the attending physician at the county hospital the night of the crash[span_73](start_span)[span_73](end_span).

Leo: Dr. Vance lives at the shelter! He gives out soup on Tuesdays!

Eleanor and Arthur both froze, turning to look at the ten-year-old boy sitting in the big chair[span_74](start_span)[span_74](end_span).

Eleanor: What did you just say, Leo?

Leo: An old man named Dr. Vance lives in the alley behind the shelter. He told me he lost his license because he did a bad thing for a rich man ten years ago[span_75](start_span)[span_75](end_span)[span_76](start_span)[span_76](end_span).

Lawyer: He’s alive? We thought Vance disappeared out of the country years ago!

Leo: He’s there every week. He wears a dirty green coat and cries a lot.

Lawyer: If Vance is still here and willing to talk, he can testify that Richard paid him to forge that death certificate!

Eleanor: We have to get to him before Richard realizes we know where he is!

Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the conference room swung open with a loud bang[span_77](start_span)[span_77](end_span). Standing in the doorway was Richard, flanked by two men in dark business suits[span_78](start_span)[span_78](end_span).

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