Chapter 13: The Original Will Was Never Lost
Thomas stood at the end of the hallway, holding the photograph of Claire like a man displaying a winning lottery ticket.
Behind him stood Richard Cole.
My wife's former attorney.
My sister's husband.
And, apparently, Thomas's son.
I looked at my father.
"How long have you known?""
David's face tightened.
"About Richard? Since before you married Vanessa.""
I felt my jaw clench.
"Everyone knew something except me.""
"Michael, I tried to protect you.""
"By pretending to be dead?""
Before he could answer, Thomas laughed.
"Don't blame your father. He had very little choice.""
I turned toward him.
"You have five seconds to explain why you're here.""
Thomas straightened his expensive coat.
"Still the dramatic one. You always were.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Mr. Harris, I suggest we all remain calm.""
I looked at him.
"You've been stealing from my family for years. Don't tell me to remain calm.""
Richard smiled faintly.
"Those are serious accusations.""
"Then perhaps you should explain why your signature appears on a forged guardianship petition.""
His smile disappeared.
Thomas raised one hand.
"Enough. We're not here to discuss paperwork.""
He looked at Margaret.
"We're here because she has something that belongs to me.""
Margaret gripped the armrests of her chair.
"Nothing belongs to you, Thomas.""
He approached her.
"You've spent twenty years hiding documents that were never yours to keep.""
"They were your father's documents.""
"They were family property.""
"They were evidence of theft.""
Thomas's face hardened.
"Careful, Margaret.""
David moved between them.
"Stay away from her.""
Thomas laughed.
"Look at you. The brave son returning from the dead.""
My father didn't move.
"You told me she was dead.""
"I told you what you needed to believe.""
"You destroyed my life.""
Thomas shrugged.
"You made your choices.""
I stepped closer.
"Where is Claire?""
Thomas looked at me.
"Safe.""
"Where?""
"Somewhere you won't find her.""
Richard interrupted.
"Thomas, we should leave.""
Thomas ignored him.
He reached into his coat and removed a folded document.
"Michael, your grandfather's original will is in my possession. It contains a clause that changes everything.""
Lauren stepped forward.
"You're making a mistake. The trust documents are already under independent review.""
Thomas smiled.
"Not the original will.""
He unfolded the paper.
"The original will was never filed with the probate court. Your grandfather kept it in a private safe.""
I stared at him.
"Where?""
Thomas looked at my father.
"Ask David.""
I turned.
My father lowered his eyes.
"Michael, your grandfather gave me the location before he died.""
"Where is it?""
"At the old family property.""
Thomas nodded.
"Exactly.""
Lauren frowned.
"Which property?""
Thomas smiled.
"The house where Michael grew up.""
My stomach tightened.
That house had been sold years ago.
The new owners had renovated it.
"Why would the will still be there?""
"Because your grandfather built a hidden compartment beneath the staircase. He told David about it.""
My father nodded.
"He did.""
Thomas looked pleased.
"Now we're getting somewhere.""
He held out his hand.
"Give me the photograph from the watch. Give me the documents from your mother's drawer. And I'll tell you where Claire is.""
I stared at him.
"You think I'm going to trade my sister for a piece of paper?""
"No. I think you'll trade anything to keep your mother safe.""
My mother appeared behind Margaret.
"Leave him alone, Thomas.""
He turned.
For a moment, his expression softened.
Then he smiled cruelly.
"You should have stayed out of this, Helen.""
My mother stepped forward.
"I should have told the police twenty years ago.""
Thomas laughed.
"Yes. You should have.""
Lauren quietly moved toward the corridor.
I noticed her take out her phone.
Thomas noticed too.
"Put that away.""
She didn't.
Richard stepped toward her.
"Mrs. Morgan, this is a private family matter.""
Lauren looked directly at him.
"Not anymore.""
Then she spoke into her phone.
"Yes. We're at Riverside Haven. The subject is present.""
Thomas's face changed.
He looked at Richard.
"Get her phone.""
Richard lunged.
David grabbed his arm.
The two men collided with a small table, sending a vase crashing to the floor.
Margaret screamed.
I rushed forward.
Thomas grabbed my jacket.
"Listen to me!""
I pushed him away.
He stumbled against the wall.
"You're finished," I said.
He straightened his coat.
"Not until I have the will.""
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph.
It showed my childhood home.
Beneath it was a handwritten message.
*THE ORIGINAL WILL IS NOT IN THE HOUSE.*
I stared.
Thomas smiled.
"Your grandfather moved it before he died.""
"Where?""
He leaned closer.
"Inside the place where he buried his first mistake.""
Before I could ask what that meant, two uniformed officers entered the hallway.
"Nobody move!""
Thomas raised his hands.
Richard immediately stepped away from David.
One officer approached Thomas.
"Thomas Harris, we need to speak with you regarding suspected financial fraud and several outstanding allegations connected to a historical investigation.""
Thomas looked at me.
"This isn't over.""
The officers escorted him away.
Richard was detained separately for questioning.
But as they passed, he leaned toward me.
"Michael, you should be careful about what you wish to uncover.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
His answer was almost a whisper.
"Because Claire knows where the money went.""
Then he was gone.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
My father sat beside Margaret.
Emily held my mother's hand.
Lauren was speaking with the officers.
I approached David.
"Where is the will?""
He looked at me.
"Your grandfather buried his first mistake at the cemetery.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"He had a daughter before he married your grandmother. A little girl who died shortly after birth.""
I felt a chill.
"Why would the will be there?""
"Because he built a memorial for her. Inside the memorial is a small compartment.""
I looked toward Margaret.
She nodded slowly.
"Your grandfather once told me the same thing.""
Lauren returned.
"The police have taken Thomas and Richard for questioning. We need to preserve the documents immediately.""
I looked at my father.
"Then we're going to the cemetery.""
He nodded.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
Her voice was barely audible.
"Michael, don't go to the cemetery.""
"Why?""
"Because Thomas isn't the only person who knows about the will.""
"Who else?""
She began crying.
"Richard's wife.""
I froze.
"Claire?""
"Yes.""
"Where is she?""
May you like
Vanessa whispered:
"She's already there.""
