Chapter 12: The Two Heirs of Northstar
The next morning, Robert Whitmore made his announcement at the downtown Chicago headquarters of Whitmore Development.
The press conference had been scheduled weeks earlier.
Reporters, investors, business partners, and several local officials filled the conference room.
Robert stood behind a polished wooden podium.
A large screen displayed the company logo.
Beside him stood Daniel Price.
Vanessa was nowhere to be seen.
I watched the live broadcast from Michael's office.
Dad sat beside me.
He hadn't spoken much since learning about David.
Mom had called several times.
He hadn't answered.
Michael entered carrying a stack of legal documents.
"The district attorney has received the original footage," he said.
"David has agreed to give a formal statement.""
"What about Daniel?"" I asked.
Michael placed the papers on the desk.
"That's what concerns me.""
He explained that Daniel had been listed as a potential beneficiary in the original Northstar agreement.
Unlike Vanessa, Daniel wasn't Robert's biological son.
He was the child of Robert's former business partner from an earlier relationship.
A man named Thomas Price.
Thomas had invested heavily in Northstar during its early years.
When he died, his shares were supposed to pass to his son.
But Robert had disputed the inheritance.
The case had never been resolved.
Instead, Robert transferred the shares into a holding company.
Daniel grew up believing his father had lost everything.
Only recently had he discovered the truth.
"So Daniel isn't Robert's son?"" I asked.
Michael shook his head.
"No. The photograph was misleading. Robert is presenting him as a business successor because Daniel has access to records that could establish his claim to the original shares.""
Dad looked at the screen.
"Robert is trying to buy him off.""
"Exactly.""
On television, Robert adjusted the microphone.
"Today marks an important new chapter for Whitmore Development.""
He smiled toward the cameras.
"For years, our company has been committed to responsible growth, transparency, and family values.""
I almost laughed.
He continued.
"Today, I'm pleased to announce that Daniel Price will be joining our executive leadership team as chief operating officer.""
Applause followed.
Daniel stepped forward.
He looked uncomfortable.
Robert placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Daniel represents the future of this organization.""
A reporter raised her hand.
"Mr. Whitmore, there have been allegations concerning the Northstar property investigation and Richard Bennett's accident. Would you like to address those?""
Robert smiled.
"Those allegations are baseless. Mr. Bennett was a former partner who became increasingly hostile toward the company.""
Dad clenched his jaw.
Robert continued.
"We have evidence that he attempted to manipulate company records and extort financial concessions.""
I stood.
"He's lying.""
Michael nodded.
"That's why we need to move quickly.""
On the screen, Robert introduced another document.
It was a statement claiming that Richard Bennett had voluntarily transferred his original ownership rights.
Dad stared at it.
"That's the forged document.""
Michael nodded.
"Yes.""
Robert held it up.
"These records have been independently reviewed.""
I looked at Michael.
"Can he do that?""
"Not if the signature is fraudulent.""
He picked up his phone.
"I've just received confirmation that the district attorney's office is sending investigators to the press conference.""
The television showed a reporter asking Daniel a question.
"Mr. Price, do you believe Mr. Bennett's accusations are credible?""
Daniel looked at Robert.
Then he looked directly into the camera.
"I believe there are things about Northstar's history that the public deserves to know.""
Robert's smile disappeared.
Daniel continued.
"I also believe Richard Bennett was deliberately targeted because he refused to participate in financial misconduct.""
The room erupted with questions.
Robert grabbed Daniel's arm.
"That's enough.""
Daniel pulled away.
"No. It isn't.""
He removed a folder from his jacket.
"These are the original Northstar financial statements. They show that millions of dollars were transferred through accounts controlled by Robert Whitmore.""
Robert stepped toward him.
"Give me that.""
Daniel refused.
Then he looked at the reporters.
"There's also evidence that the company's ownership records were altered.""
Robert shouted for security.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
"One of the original shareholders was Thomas Price, my father. His ownership was never legally extinguished.""
A reporter asked:
"Are you claiming you own part of Whitmore Development?""
Daniel nodded.
"I'm claiming that the company was built using assets that belonged to my family and Richard Bennett.""
The conference room exploded with questions.
Then something unexpected happened.
Vanessa walked onto the stage.
She carried a folder.
Robert turned toward her.
"Get off the stage.""
She ignored him.
"There's another person whose ownership rights have been deliberately concealed.""
Robert's face went white.
Vanessa placed a document beside Daniel's.
"Richard Bennett never transferred his shares. And the original agreement contains a clause that gives his rightful heirs the ability to reclaim control.""
Robert grabbed the microphone.
"Vanessa, don't.""
She looked directly at him.
"You're right. I should have stopped this a long time ago.""
Then she faced the cameras.
"My name is Vanessa Whitmore. I was involved in preparing some of the documents used to conceal the company's financial problems. I approved payments connected to the surveillance of Richard Bennett.""
A murmur swept through the room.
She continued.
"I also knew Marcus Bennett was being used to assume liabilities he never agreed to take on.""
I stared at the screen.
For the first time, Vanessa was publicly admitting what she'd done.
Robert stepped toward her.
"You're destroying your own family.""
She looked at him.
"You destroyed it first.""
Security officers entered.
One of the reporters shouted:
"Mr. Whitmore, did you arrange the accident involving Richard Bennett?""
Robert turned away.
Then he made a mistake.
He looked directly at Daniel and shouted:
"You have no idea what your father did to me!""
The room fell silent.
Daniel stared at him.
"What did my father do?""
Robert's face changed.
He had said too much.
Michael immediately stood.
"That's important.""
Dad leaned forward.
"What?""
Michael pointed toward the screen.
"Robert just acknowledged a personal connection to Thomas Price.""
Daniel grabbed the microphone again.
"What are you talking about?""
Robert tried to leave.
But investigators had reached the stage.
They asked him to remain.
Then a woman in the front row stood.
She was elderly, with silver hair and a walking cane.
She approached the podium.
Robert looked at her.
His face turned completely white.
"Margaret?""
She held up a photograph.
"Hello, Robert.""
The reporters turned toward her.
She placed the photograph on the podium.
It showed a younger Robert standing beside Thomas Price.
Between them was a woman holding a baby.
Margaret looked at Daniel.
"Your father didn't lose his shares because of Robert.""
Daniel frowned.
"Who are you?""
She swallowed.
"I'm your grandmother.""
The room fell silent.
Then she looked at Robert.
"Thomas wasn't just your business partner. He was your brother.""
Daniel stepped backward.
Robert closed his eyes.
Margaret continued.
"Your grandfather left Northstar to both his sons. Robert took everything after Thomas died.""
I stared at Michael.
"Robert and Thomas were brothers?""
Michael nodded slowly.
"And Daniel was Thomas's son.""
Margaret turned toward the cameras.
"There's one more thing.""
She looked at Robert.
"Thomas didn't die in an accident.""
Robert lunged toward her.
Security grabbed his arms.
Margaret raised her voice.
"He was murdered.""
The reporters erupted.
Daniel stood motionless.
Then he turned toward Robert.
"Did you kill my father?""
Robert didn't answer.
Instead, he looked directly into the camera.
His expression was no longer charming.
It was furious.
"You're all making a terrible mistake.""
Then he pointed toward the screen displaying the Northstar logo.
"Because none of you understand who really owns that company.""
An investigator stepped forward and placed a document on the podium.
"Mr. Whitmore, we have a warrant to seize the original Northstar records and investigate the financial transfers.""
Robert stared at the document.
Then he laughed.
"You can't seize what no longer exists.""
Michael's phone rang.
He answered.
A moment later, his face changed.
"Marcus.""
I stood.
"What?""
He covered the phone.
"The original Northstar ownership registry has been located.""
"Where?""
"Inside a safety deposit box registered under your name.""
I looked at Dad.
He shook his head.
"I never opened a safety deposit box for you.""
Michael listened again.
Then he slowly lowered the phone.
"There's a problem.""
"What?""
"The box was opened this morning.""
"By whom?""
Michael looked at the television.
Robert was being escorted out of the conference room.
Then Michael said:
"By someone who presented your original birth certificate.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Who?""
Michael turned the laptop toward me.
The bank's security photograph showed a woman standing at the counter.
She wore a dark coat and sunglasses.
But I recognized her immediately.
My mother.
And she was carrying a document with Robert Whitmore's signature.
Dad whispered:
"Eleanor, what have you done?""
On the television, Robert suddenly stopped walking.
He turned toward the reporters and smiled.
"Before you arrest me," he announced, "you should ask Eleanor Bennett why she has been protecting me for thirty-two years.""
May you like
The camera flashed.
And for the first time, I began to wonder whether my mother had been protecting me at all.
