Chapter 14: The Last Lie in My Father's Will
Richard Cole entered the house without knocking.
He was in his sixties, broad-shouldered, with silver hair and a scar running along his jaw.
I recognized him immediately.
He had attended my father's funeral.
He had stood behind Marcus during the service.
was in his sixties, broad-shouldered, with silver hair and a scar running along his jaw.
I recognized him immediately.
He had attended my father's funeral.
He had stood behind Marcus during the service.
And he had been one of the last people to see my father alive.
"Mrs. Carter," he said.
I stood in front of Samuel.
And he had been one of the last people to see my father alive.
"Mrs. Carter," he said.
I stood in front of Samuel.
"Don't come any closer.""
Richard glanced at the boy.
"Samuel.""
The child stepped backward.
Charlotte moved beside him.
Daniel"Don't come any closer.""
Richard glanced at the boy.
"Samuel.""
The child stepped backward.
Charlotte moved beside him.
Daniel reached for his phone.
Richard raised one hand.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone.""
"Then why are you here?"" I asked.
He held up the emerald necklace.
"Because this belongs to Samuel.""
I stared at it.
"Where did you get that?""
"From Evelyn reached for his phone.
Richard raised one hand.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone.""
"Then why are you here?"" I asked.
He held up the emerald necklace.
"Because this belongs to Samuel.""
I stared at it.
"Where did you get that?""
"From Evelyn.""
"Where is she?""
Richard looked away.
"She's safe.""
"That's not an answer.""
He placed the necklace on the table.
"Your father left instructions that.""
"Where is she?""
Richard looked away.
"She's safe.""
"That's not an answer.""
He placed the necklace on the table.
"Your father left instructions that this should be given to Samuel when he turned twelve.""
I looked at the necklace.
A small emerald pendant hung from the chain this should be given to Samuel when he turned twelve.""
I looked at the necklace.
A small emerald pendant hung from the chain.
It had been part of Evelyn's collection for decades.
"Why did Evelyn keep it?""
"Because she was supposed to protect it.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Mr. Cole, why did.
It had been part of Evelyn's collection for decades.
"Why did Evelyn keep it?""
"Because she was supposed to protect it.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Mr. Cole, why did you leave the company?""
Richard looked at him.
"Because I refused to falsify the financial records.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who asked you to?""
"Marcus.""
you leave the company?""
Richard looked at him.
"Because I refused to falsify the financial records.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who asked you to?""
"Marcus.""
"Did you report him?""
"To your father.""
"What happened?""
Richard looked at me.
"Your father asked me to gather evidence. Before I"Did you report him?""
"To your father.""
"What happened?""
Richard looked at me.
"Your father asked me to gather evidence. Before I could finish, he died.""
I stared at him.
"Did you know his medication had been changed?""
Richard nodded.
"I knew someone had tampered with could finish, he died.""
I stared at him.
"Did you know his medication had been changed?""
Richard nodded.
"I knew someone had tampered with it.""
"Who?""
He looked at the necklace.
"That is why I came.""
He opened the pendant.
Inside was a tiny folded it.""
"Who?""
He looked at the necklace.
"That is why I came.""
He opened the pendant.
Inside was a tiny folded piece of paper.
Daniel carefully removed it.
It contained a short handwritten message.
The truth is in the recording. The key is with the child.
Samuel looked confused piece of paper.
Daniel carefully removed it.
It contained a short handwritten message.
The truth is in the recording. The key is with the child.
Samuel looked confused.
"What key?""
Richard crouched in front of him.
"Your grandfather gave you something when you were little.""
Samuel shook his head.
.
"What key?""
Richard crouched in front of him.
"Your grandfather gave you something when you were little.""
Samuel shook his head.
"I don't remember.""
"Look around your neck.""
The boy touched the thin silver chain beneath his shirt.
He pulled out a small key.
I"I don't remember.""
"Look around your neck.""
The boy touched the thin silver chain beneath his shirt.
He pulled out a small key.
I stared.
"How long have you had that?""
"Since I was a baby.""
He handed it to me.
The key was tiny.
It had a number engraved stared.
"How long have you had that?""
"Since I was a baby.""
He handed it to me.
The key was tiny.
It had a number engraved on its side.
Daniel examined it.
"Bank vault.""
Richard nodded.
"Your father established a private safe deposit account. on its side.
Daniel examined it.
"Bank vault.""
Richard nodded.
"Your father established a private safe deposit account. The key was placed with Samuel because nobody would suspect a child.""
I looked at the boy.
"Did Marcus know?""
Richard's expression The key was placed with Samuel because nobody would suspect a child.""
I looked at the boy.
"Did Marcus know?""
Richard's expression hardened.
"He knew about the account. That's why he kept trying to gain legal guardianship.""
Daniel took the key.
"We need to access the box.""
Richard nodded.
"I've arranged everything hardened.
"He knew about the account. That's why he kept trying to gain legal guardianship.""
Daniel took the key.
"We need to access the box.""
Richard nodded.
"I've arranged everything.""
We left the property with Samuel, Laura, and Charlotte.
At the bank, a manager escorted us to a private vault room.
The.""
We left the property with Samuel, Laura, and Charlotte.
At the bank, a manager escorted us to a private vault room.
The key opened a box containing three items.
A sealed envelope.
A small digital recorder.
And a thick black folder.
Daniel opened the folder.
Inside were original trust key opened a box containing three items.
A sealed envelope.
A small digital recorder.
And a thick black folder.
Daniel opened the folder.
Inside were original trust documents, transaction records, and a complete copy of my father's final will.
I looked at the will.
The date was one day before his death.
The documents, transaction records, and a complete copy of my father's final will.
I looked at the will.
The date was one day before his death.
The same date as the document Charlotte had shown me.
But this version contained an additional page.
Daniel read it carefully.
Then he looked up.
"Nia, this changes everything same date as the document Charlotte had shown me.
But this version contained an additional page.
Daniel read it carefully.
Then he looked up.
"Nia, this changes everything.""
"What?""
"The controlling shares were transferred into a protected family trust. You are the primary beneficiary.""
I exhaled.
"Then Marcus has no claim.""
"Correct. But there's another clause.""
He turned the page.
The.""
"What?""
"The controlling shares were transferred into a protected family trust. You are the primary beneficiary.""
I exhaled.
"Then Marcus has no claim.""
"Correct. But there's another clause.""
He turned the page.
The clause stated that if any beneficiary attempted to obtain control through fraud, coercion, or unauthorized transfer, their interest would be suspended pending clause stated that if any beneficiary attempted to obtain control through fraud, coercion, or unauthorized transfer, their interest would be suspended pending independent review.
I looked at Samuel.
"Does that include him?""
"No. Samuel's trust is separate. Your father wanted him protected regardless of what happened between the adults.""
I felt independent review.
I looked at Samuel.
"Does that include him?""
"No. Samuel's trust is separate. Your father wanted him protected regardless of what happened between the adults.""
I felt relief.
For the first time, I believed we might finally be able to end this.
Then Daniel opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter addressed to me.
My darling Nia,
*If relief.
For the first time, I believed we might finally be able to end this.
Then Daniel opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter addressed to me.
My darling Nia,
If you have reached this point, then I failed to tell you everything while I was alive.
I want you to know that I loved your you have reached this point, then I failed to tell you everything while I was alive.
I want you to know that I loved your mother. I loved her even when I made mistakes that hurt her.
I also loved you more than anything.
The day I discovered Marcus's mother. I loved her even when I made mistakes that hurt her.
I also loved you more than anything.
The day I discovered Marcus's involvement with Robert Reed, I should have told you the truth. Instead, I tried to protect you by keeping you away from the business.
That was wrong.
I believed Marcus would eventually choose you over his father's revenge involvement with Robert Reed, I should have told you the truth. Instead, I tried to protect you by keeping you away from the business.
That was wrong.
I believed Marcus would eventually choose you over his father's revenge.
I was wrong about that too.
I paused.
My eyes filled.
Daniel waited.
I continued reading.
There is.
I was wrong about that too.
I paused.
My eyes filled.
Daniel waited.
I continued reading.
There is one final truth.
The night your mother died, she was not alone in the car.
My hands went cold.
I looked at Patricia.
She had followed us to the bank.
Her face was pale.
"What does that one final truth.*
The night your mother died, she was not alone in the car.
My hands went cold.
I looked at Patricia.
She had followed us to the bank.
Her face was pale.
"What does that mean?"" I whispered.
Daniel opened the digital recorder.
A familiar voice filled the room.
My mother's.
"Helen, we need to leave. Richard is waiting.""
Another voice answered.
It was my father.
"Not until you tell me where the mean?"" I whispered.
Daniel opened the digital recorder.
A familiar voice filled the room.
My mother's.
"Helen, we need to leave. Richard is waiting.""
Another voice answered.
It was my father.
"Not until you tell me where the documents are.""
Then a third voice.
Evelyn.
"Please, both of you. We can settle this.""
My mother spoke again.
"No documents are.""
Then a third voice.
Evelyn.
"Please, both of you. We can settle this.""
My mother spoke again.
"No. I won't let you take the girls.""
A door slammed.
Then a man's voice said:
"Nobody is taking anyone.""
. I won't let you take the girls.""
A door slammed.
Then a man's voice said:
"Nobody is taking anyone.""
It was Richard Cole.
My father's security director.
The recording continued.
There was an argument.
A car engine.
Then a loud crash.
Silence.
I coveredIt was Richard Cole.
My father's security director.
The recording continued.
There was an argument.
A car engine.
Then a loud crash.
Silence.
I covered my mouth.
Daniel stopped the recording.
"What happened?"" Charlotte whispered.
Richard Cole looked down.
"Your mother was leaving with both children my mouth.
Daniel stopped the recording.
"What happened?"" Charlotte whispered.
Richard Cole looked down.
"Your mother was leaving with both children that night.""
I turned toward him.
"Both children?""
He nodded.
"She had arranged to take you and Charlotte away. Samuel hadn't been born yet.""
I looked at Patricia.
"Was she in the car that night.""
I turned toward him.
"Both children?""
He nodded.
"She had arranged to take you and Charlotte away. Samuel hadn't been born yet.""
I looked at Patricia.
"Was she in the car?""
Patricia nodded slowly.
"I was following her.""
I stared.
"What?""
"Your mother called me before she left. She said?""
Patricia nodded slowly.
"I was following her.""
I stared.
"What?""
"Your mother called me before she left. She said she had finally found the evidence she needed.""
"Then what happened?""
Patricia's eyes filled.
"The car lost control. I saw it leave the road.""
"Was it an accident?""
Richard answered.
"The brakes had been tampered with.""
The she had finally found the evidence she needed.""
"Then what happened?""
Patricia's eyes filled.
"The car lost control. I saw it leave the road.""
"Was it an accident?""
Richard answered.
"The brakes had been tampered with.""
The room went silent.
I looked at the recorder.
"Who did it?""
Richard closed his eyes.
"I don't know.""
Patricia suddenly stood.
room went silent.
I looked at the recorder.
"Who did it?""
Richard closed his eyes.
"I don't know.""
Patricia suddenly stood.
"Yes, you do.""
He looked at her.
She pointed at the final page in the folder.
There was a maintenance report for my mother's car.
The technician"Yes, you do.""
He looked at her.
She pointed at the final page in the folder.
There was a maintenance report for my mother's car.
The technician's signature was visible.
*Richard Cole.*
I stepped backward.
"You worked on her car?""
He nodded.
"Yes's signature was visible.
*Richard Cole.*
I stepped backward.
"You worked on her car?""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you tamper with the brakes?""
"No.""
"Then why is your signature here?""
"Because I inspected the car two days before the accident.""
"Did you find anything?""
He hesitated.
Then he admitted,.""
"Did you tamper with the brakes?""
"No.""
"Then why is your signature here?""
"Because I inspected the car two days before the accident.""
"Did you find anything?""
He hesitated.
Then he admitted, "I found evidence that someone had already tampered with the braking system.""
My throat tightened.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"Your father ordered me to wait.""
I stared at him.
"He knew?""
Richard nodded.
"He believed "I found evidence that someone had already tampered with the braking system.""
My throat tightened.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"Your father ordered me to wait.""
I stared at him.
"He knew?""
Richard nodded.
"He believed the person responsible would try again.""
"Who was it?""
Richard looked at the recorder.
Then he said:
"Robert Reed.""
Patricia began crying.
"My husband.""
I felt sick.
"Why the person responsible would try again.""
"Who was it?""
Richard looked at the recorder.
Then he said:
"Robert Reed.""
Patricia began crying.
"My husband.""
I felt sick.
"Why would he try to kill my mother?""
Richard looked at me.
"Because she had discovered that Robert was using the company to fund an operation that had nothing to do with business.""
"What operation?""
He opened the black folder again would he try to kill my mother?""
Richard looked at me.
"Because she had discovered that Robert was using the company to fund an operation that had nothing to do with business.""
"What operation?""
He opened the black folder again.
A final document was tucked into the back.
It was a list of payments.
Several were made to private investigators.
Others were made to a medical research.
A final document was tucked into the back.
It was a list of payments.
Several were made to private investigators.
Others were made to a medical research facility.
One payment was dated the week before my father died.
The recipient was a company called *Aster Medical Consulting*.
Daniel studied the document.
"Who owns this?""
Richard looked at me.
"Evelyn.""
I felt my stomach facility.
One payment was dated the week before my father died.
The recipient was a company called *Aster Medical Consulting*.
Daniel studied the document.
"Who owns this?""
Richard looked at me.
"Evelyn.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Why would Evelyn own a medical company?""
Richard shook his head.
"She doesn't. Not legally.""
"Then who does?""
He looked toward the door.
"Marcus.""
My phone began ringing.
It was Marcus.
I answered.
His voice was calm.
Almost cheerful drop.
"Why would Evelyn own a medical company?""
Richard shook his head.
"She doesn't. Not legally.""
"Then who does?""
He looked toward the door.
"Marcus.""
My phone began ringing.
It was Marcus.
I answered.
His voice was calm.
Almost cheerful.
"I assume you've found the will.""
I said nothing.
"Good. Then you know what happens next.""
"What do you want?""
"I want Samuel.""
"He's not going anywhere with you.""
Marcus.
"I assume you've found the will.""
I said nothing.
"Good. Then you know what happens next.""
"What do you want?""
"I want Samuel.""
"He's not going anywhere with you.""
Marcus sighed.
"Nia, don't make this difficult.""
I looked at Samuel.
He was sitting beside Charlotte, holding the silver sighed.
"Nia, don't make this difficult.""
I looked at Samuel.
He was sitting beside Charlotte, holding the silver key.
"He's a child. Not an inheritance.""
Marcus laughed softly.
"That's where you're wrong.""
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Samuel isn't my only child.""
I froze.
"What?""
"Ask Patricia about the key.
"He's a child. Not an inheritance.""
Marcus laughed softly.
"That's where you're wrong.""
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Samuel isn't my only child.""
I froze.
"What?""
"Ask Patricia about the baby she gave away.""
I turned toward Patricia.
Her face had gone completely white.
Marcus continued.
"Because the child who was supposed to inherit everything isn't baby she gave away.""
I turned toward Patricia.
Her face had gone completely white.
Marcus continued.
"Because the child who was supposed to inherit everything isn't Samuel.""
He paused.
May you like
"It's someone else.""
Then the call ended.
