As Gabriel ate some breakfast, Claire briefly disappeared out of the room. She came back with a small box and Gabriel's laptop, placing them on the sideboard, right next to the documents that she brought a night earlier. Gabriel watched her curiously.
"The hearing will be in a week and a half. Your father will be notified on the day you're currently due to return from the States." Claire said as she was looking through the papers to make sure that they were in the right order. "I have placed a request for anonymity throughout the trial with uncle Adam yesterday, that's why I was out so long."
"Anonymity?"
"Yes. It means that I don't have to disclose all of my personal details to the jury or that they will not be released to the public throughout the trial. They will be provided only to the judge. Assuming that my request will be granted."
"Why?"
Claire turned around and looked at Gabriel, surprised by his question.
"Suing my father-in-law may cause bias within the jury. I don't want it to be treated as an exaggerated family feud, but a criminal case."
"Claire, there was a box you had last night…" Gabriel mentioned in embarrassment.
"Your gift, I presume. It is currently in your study. I'd rather have you open it when you return from the States. I have something planned." Claire smiled softly.
"What is it?"
"It's a secret."
"Good or bad secret?"
"Good, I hope. It's more of a surprise." Claire walked towards him, removing the tray from his lap. "Now, I don't know how much you know already, but here's everything I know." Claire walked back and picked up everything from the sideboard, passing it to Gabriel. "What's going to happen next might be difficult for you. I don't want you drawn into this mess. But, you should know the full extent of the lawsuit. What you know about my history with your father is not actually a major part of the lawsuit."
"What is this?" Gabriel asked as he held the small box. He opened it carefully to find a USB stick.
"This is the reason why your father wants me and my family dead. What's in here might change a lot. I want you to be careful in making that decision and not to look at it without being sure about the consequences."
Gabriel looked at Claire with so much worry. He turned on his laptop and plugged the USB stick in without hesitation. As he opened it there was tens of files, if not hundreds.
They were all clearly labelled by dates and they were coded. He looked at the printouts that Claire gave him realising that they contained the description of what each coded piece of evidence meant. And all of the files were concerning Moore Pharmaceuticals.
Gabriel started looking through them, realising quickly the extent of what they uncovered. His father's words sounded in his head, and how he mentioned that Claire's mum worked for him. A few of the documents were signed by Leanne Thompson a senior researcher.
The files exposed fraud, breaking of the law, and extensive criminal activities. Moore Pharmaceuticals didn't adhere to regulations and often used chemicals that were deemed unsafe, not to mention tests on people who didn't know they were subjects. That was only the first few files.
Gabriel ruffled his hair and put his hand to his mouth, as he carefully analysed each document. He was completely focused on the documents as Claire watched him anxiously, waiting for his backlash, for him to tell her that he tricked her. For him to rip that USB stick out of his laptop and rush to his father.
"Am I correct to understand that your mother worked for Moore Pharmaceuticals as a senior researcher?"
"That's correct."
"And she gathered all of this evidence?"
"Yes. Not alone of course. She had the support of a few more colleagues. Cecilia, David, and Horace. And…" Claire hesitated.
"Yes?"
"Diane Moore. Your mother. She didn't do it directly but she supported them whilst they gathered the evidence." Claire looked down and crossed her arms. "Not sure whether you remember George?"
"That man who kept us safe from my father's henchman?"
"Indeed. He is Cecilia's husband."
"What happened then? I'm guessing my father found out about this."
"Yes." Claire nodded. "He tried to destroy the evidence. He currently believes that he destroyed all of the evidence."
"What did he do when he found out?"
"A lot," Claire admitted. "It started with them all having their careers ruined. And they were to never cross paths again with your father at a threat that they will be killed." Claire hesitated. "But, he didn't quite keep to the deal that he'll leave them if they will never speak of it again. Horace and David vanished with their families immediately. Cecilia and my mum remained in the city. They didn't expect that your father will take things further but he did. As you know, I was assaulted, but what you do not know is that at the same time Cecilia's daughter, Jenny, was attacked. She died as a result of the attack." Claire took a deep breath in a shed lip quivered. "He sent them after me to kill me. They were unsuccessful and there were too many witnesses so your father covered the entire thing up. Only then, there was that agreement formed that if we do not draw attention, he'll leave us alone. It worked for a few years but we knew that he was going to start hunting us down again."
"I'm sorry Claire but I don't think I can calm down right now," Gabriel said through his gritted teeth, clenching his left hand into a fist.
"I know," Claire said carefully. "I've said that what you'll find will change things."
"I'll help you with it. I have connections and resources to look into it properly. Just leave it with me."
"I don't want you to take over," Claire said sternly.
"Then I won't." Gabriel groaned again, feeling an upcoming headache.
"Thank you." Claire sat on the edge of the bed and caressed the back of his clenched hand.
"We need to keep you safe, and your friends and family."
"My parents are safe. When I left for two months it was to make sure that they are away and safe whilst my mum still gets the treatment she needs. I will have to keep my distance from my friends for a while but I think they'll be safe for now." Claire caressed Gabriel's cheek. "I don't want to risk your life ever again. It might be safer if I stay away for a while."
"What are the medical records for?" Gabriel pointed at the computer disregarding her suggestion.
"Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is linked to certain chemical exposure. My mum and a few of her colleagues developed it over the years after working at Moore Pharmaceuticals. It is also evidence that many of the chemicals and drugs were notoriously mishandled, as directed by upper management. I believe the key chemical was benzene."
"Your mum's cancer was linked to chemical exposure which was due to law-breaking activities at Moore Pharmaceuticals?" Gabriel asked as he pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose.
"Yes. My mum's cancer as well as at least seven other colleagues within her department. Six of them are already dead. One is currently hospitalised, and undergoing yet another round of chemotherapy. And that's just the employees. There were also illegal trials where untested drugs were used on patients without their consent. Many died from the side effects or complications. There were issues in regards to bribery and paying kickbacks to have their, often not fully tested, a medication used as a preferential treatment method on patients within numerous health institutions. They also paid large sums of money to a number of professionals just before certain drugs were conveniently approved. They have mishandled or filed false safety data. They have often made false or misleading statements about the drugs and purposely marketed drugs dubiously for unsafe purposes. And lastly, a lot of chemical and bio waste wasn't disposed of properly, affecting the environment. I haven't accounted for the deaths due to the environmental impact."
"Deaths?" Gabriel looked up at Claire with his eyes wide open in disbelief. "How many deaths are we talking about when it comes to direct mishandling of Moore Pharmaceuticals?"
"I have documentation of at least tenths of deaths that were directly related to mishandling of chemicals at the company. And suspected tenths more, based on more indirect assumptions. I suspect that there might be several hundreds of lives lost due to Moore Pharmaceuticals. Not to mention, your father's eradication method when it comes to witnesses." Claire picked up the printout and checked the numbers on one of the pages. "Moore Pharmaceuticals is directly responsible for ninety-six deaths due to their negligence in all safety aspects, they have further contributed to the deaths of at least hundred eighty seven through incorrectly promoting and falsifying safety reports. There are quite likely over a thousand deaths related to environmental factors but these are difficult to be solely linked to Moore Pharmaceuticals, however contributing factors cannot be neglected." Claire read the statement.
"Eradication method?"
"There were at least five more employees and their families that disappeared when this came to light. I cannot say for sure if they hid like us, or if your father got them."
"What's the plan?"
"I've got several witness statements from my mum's remaining colleagues. Each witness is currently hidden away for their own safety, but I have it all in writing. I hope to bring it into the light. I think that your father has done enough of the damage, and he should be held responsible for all of the deaths. He should be stopped." Claire sighed. "Your father suspects that I will not back down hence he put a bounty on my head. I am quite likely going to be killed. It was already a close one." Claire looked down at the floor, feeling bad for Gabriel. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry? My father was okay with me being dead to save his ass and get you!" Gabriel raised his voice.
"He's your father…" Claire said quietly.
"Yeah, and I prayed every day for it to not be the case for most of my life. Am I right to think that you have copies of this?"
"Yes."
"That's good. Don't tell me where they are."
"I have multiple USB sticks, stored across the country, with different people being aware of their whereabouts. Furthermore, there are physical copies of each document scanned on the USB stick. They're all stored separately. It'll take years to work out where they are unless given the exact locations."
"Don't tell me," Gabriel said sternly. "I know that you're scared. I'll organise a legal team to support your uncle if you still think that he's the best option."
"Thank you. And yes, uncle Adam is a good lawyer but most importantly, I can fully trust him."
"Claire."
"Yeah?"
"I'll do anything to keep you safe. I want to be your shield."
"I don't need a shield." Claire smiled as she leaned and kissed Gabriel on his cheek.
"Wouldn't it sound more fun to have a lawsuit for Moore vs Moore?"
"It's not a laughing matter," Claire said coldly. "I purposely asked for anonymity and for the trial I will remain as Claire Thompson to the jury."
"I understand." Gabriel nodded. "Although, I really would like to stand against him in that trial."
"Why?"
"I have my own."
"What reasons?"
"My mother's death was never explained and for a long while, I suspected that he had something to do with it. I've tried to tell myself that he would never try to kill anyone, that he wasn't capable, but now I am pretty certain about it." Gabriel looked at his shoulder.
"I didn't know…" Claire looked at Gabriel with worry and sadness.
"Well, I didn't tell you. How could you know?" Gabriel asked before he started sobbing. "God, he's a monster. I'm so sorry, Claire. And I wish to say how sorry I am to your mum, to your family, and your mum's colleagues."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I need you to get better though because I don't think I can do it alone." Claire pressed her forehead against Gabriel's, starting to cry herself.