Chapter 14: The Confession Behind Closed Doors
Daniel was taken to the police station for questioning.
He was not arrested immediately.
Detective Mitchell explained that the officers needed to establish the authenticity of the documents before making any formal accusations.
I remained at the hospital.
My pregnancy made everything more complicated, and Dr. Morgan insisted I avoid unnecessary stress.
That was easier said than done.
At 6:40 p.m., Detective Mitchell called.
"We've examined the letter.""
"What does it say?""
"Your father asked Daniel to help him collect evidence against Gregory.""
I sat upright.
"So Daniel was helping Dad?""
"Initially, yes.""
I stared at the wall.
The answer didn't make sense.
"Then why did Dad's complaint accuse him?""
"Because something changed.""
"What?""
"We're still establishing the timeline. But Daniel has agreed to give a formal statement.""
I swallowed.
"Can I speak to him?""
There was a pause.
"Do you want to?""
I thought about the promotion gala.
The forged signatures.
The insurance policy.
My mother.
My brother.
Then I remembered the first time Daniel had told me he loved me.
I had believed him.
"I want to hear the truth.""
Detective Mitchell arranged a monitored video call.
Daniel appeared on the screen twenty minutes later.
He looked exhausted.
His shirt was wrinkled, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he said, "You look tired.""
I almost laughed.
"That's what you want to talk about?""
He lowered his eyes.
"No.""
"Then tell me about my father.""
Daniel took a breath.
"Your father discovered that Gregory had been diverting company money through shell companies. He found fake invoices, duplicate payments, and unauthorized transfers.""
"How much?""
"Almost two million dollars at the time.""
I remembered the number in the notebook.
The $1.8 million transfer.
"Why were you involved?""
"I was a junior administrative employee. Gregory asked me to process some documents. At first, I didn't know what they were.""
"And later?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"I realized the invoices were fake. I confronted Gregory. He told me it was a temporary arrangement.""
"Did you believe him?""
"At first.""
"And then?""
"Your father approached me. He showed me the records. He asked me to help him collect copies before Gregory could destroy them.""
I stared at the screen.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of Gregory?""
"Yes.""
"What happened on the night Dad died?""
Daniel looked away.
"I went to his office to deliver the final documents. He was angry because Gregory had discovered we were working together.""
"Was Gregory there?""
"Yes.""
My fingers tightened around the blanket.
"What happened?""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"They argued.""
"About what?""
"The money. Your father wanted the original ledger. Gregory wanted it destroyed.""
"Then?""
"Your father told Gregory he was going to the police. Gregory threatened him.""
I swallowed.
"What did he say?""
Daniel's voice became barely audible.
"He said your father wouldn't live long enough to make that call.""
My stomach turned.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"I was twenty-two. I was terrified. Gregory told me he had people who could make my life disappear.""
"Did he hurt Dad?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I didn't see him touch your father.""
"Then how do you know what happened?""
"Because I heard them arguing outside the office. Then I left.""
I stared at him.
"You left my father alone with a man who had threatened him?""
Daniel's eyes filled.
"Yes.""
The word was barely audible.
I looked away.
"Did you know Gregory had damaged the car?""
"I didn't know until the next morning.""
"How?""
"Gregory called me. He told me there had been an accident. He said if I mentioned what happened at the office, he would tell the police I had stolen the money.""
I shook my head.
"And you stayed silent for twelve years.""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I thought he would come after me.""
I laughed bitterly.
"So you married me.""
Daniel looked up.
"I loved you.""
"Did you know who I was when we met?""
He hesitated.
That hesitation answered more than his words could have.
"Daniel?""
"Yes.""
I felt something inside me collapse.
"You knew I was Edward Whitmore's daughter?""
"Yes.""
"From the beginning?""
"Yes.""
I pressed my hand against my stomach.
"Was our marriage part of your plan?""
"No!""
His answer was immediate.
"That part was real, Nia. I swear it.""
"Then why did you spend years lying to me?""
"Because I wanted to move on. I wanted a normal life.""
"And when you got the chance to become Senior Vice President, you started stealing again.""
He lowered his head.
"I made mistakes.""
"Mistakes?""
"You don't understand how much pressure I was under.""
"Then explain it.""
Daniel took a long breath.
"Gregory had been using me for years. He knew I had helped your father. He kept copies of the original documents. He threatened to release them unless I helped him move money.""
"So you stole from the company.""
"Yes.""
"You forged my signature.""
"Yes.""
"You bought Vanessa an apartment.""
His expression changed.
"That was separate.""
I stared at him.
"Separate?""
"I wanted to leave the marriage.""
"You wanted to leave me with a baby and a mountain of debt?""
He didn't answer.
I continued.
"And the insurance policy?""
He looked directly at me.
"Gregory arranged it.""
"Why?""
"To secure the money.""
"Whose money?""
"The investors' money.""
I felt sick.
"Did you know someone had impersonated me at the medical clinic?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he nodded.
I closed my eyes.
"Who was the woman?""
He swallowed.
"Your mother.""
I had suspected it.
Hearing him confirm it still hurt.
"Did you know the report contained a false cardiac diagnosis?""
"Yes.""
"Why would you do that?""
He looked away.
"Gregory said the policy needed a medical justification.""
I stared at him.
"And if I had actually been sick?""
Daniel said nothing.
The silence was unbearable.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since the gala.
"Did you ever intend to hurt me?""
His eyes filled.
"No.""
"Then why did you tell people you were waiting for my delivery date?""
He went completely still.
I leaned forward.
"Vanessa told me.""
Daniel looked at the detective sitting outside the camera frame.
Then he whispered, "Gregory wanted the policy active before the baby was born.""
"Why?""
"Because he believed you would eventually discover the original ledger.""
I stared at him.
"So the policy was never about protecting our family.""
Daniel shook his head.
"No.""
I felt tears running down my face.
"Who killed my father?""
Daniel looked toward the door.
Then he spoke.
"Gregory.""
The room became silent.
"Do you have proof?""
Daniel nodded.
"In the briefcase. There's a recording.""
Detective Mitchell immediately leaned forward.
"What recording?""
Daniel looked at the camera.
"Your father recorded his final conversation with Gregory. I found it years ago, but I never gave it to the police.""
My heart pounded.
"Why not?""
"Because it also contains my voice.""
"What does that mean?""
Daniel's eyes filled.
"I was there when Gregory made the threat.""
He paused.
Then he said something that changed everything.
"And there's another person on that recording.""
"Who?""
Daniel swallowed.
"Your mother.""
I couldn't speak.
Detective Mitchell stood immediately.
"Where is the recording?""
"In the briefcase.""
She left the room.
I stared at Daniel.
"Why was my mother there?""
He looked directly into the camera.
"Because she didn't just know what Gregory had done.""
May you like
He paused.
"She helped him.""
