Chapter 13: The Truth My Mother Had Buried for Thirty Years
“What did you just say?””
My hand tightened around the phone.
Across the room, my mother had gone completely still. Daniel was already reaching for Jonathan's laptop, while Vanessa stared at me with wide, frightened eyes.
Peter Lawson chuckled.
“I said you're asking the wrong question, Marcus. You want to know who killed your father. But perhaps you should first ask why your mother disappeared for three days after his death.””
I turned toward Eleanor.
“Mom?””
She looked away.
Peter continued.
“Your mother knows exactly what happened that night. She has spent thirty years pretending she doesn't.””
“Where is the music box?””
“That's an interesting question. I have it.””
“Then give it back.””
“Not so quickly. There are things in that box that could destroy several respectable families.””
I glanced at Jonathan.
He silently pointed toward his phone, indicating that he was contacting the authorities.
Peter's voice became colder.
“Listen carefully. Come alone tomorrow morning. Bring the original trust documents. If you do, I might tell you what happened to Richard.””
“And if I don't?””
“Then perhaps you'll never learn why your mother was willing to let another woman take the blame.””
The call ended.
I lowered the phone.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, my mother whispered, “I'm sorry.””
I turned toward her.
“Mom, what happened after Dad died?””
She sat down slowly.
For the first time since the wedding, she didn't try to avoid my eyes.
“When Richard died, I received a phone call from the hospital. They told me there had been an accident. I went there immediately.””
Her voice trembled.
“When I arrived, Peter was already waiting outside the emergency department.””
Daniel frowned.
“Why would Peter be there?””
“He told me Richard had been involved in a terrible business dispute. He said your father's family was going to blame me for everything.””
My mother wiped her cheeks.
“He showed me documents. Bank statements. Insurance papers.
There were accounts with my name on them. I didn't understand any of it.””
I pulled a chair closer.
“Why didn't you tell the police?””
“I tried.””
She looked down at her hands.
“Peter told me the documents made it appear that Richard had been transferring company money to me. He said if I accused anyone, I would lose custody of you before you were even born.””
Daniel's face twisted.
“You were pregnant. Nobody could have taken your child simply because of financial allegations.””
“I didn't know that. I was frightened.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Then Peter showed me a photograph.””
“What photograph?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“It was taken outside my apartment. Someone had photographed me carrying groceries. You could see the building entrance and the number above the door.””
I felt a chill.
“He was threatening you.””
“He said he knew where I lived. He knew when I went to work. He knew everything.””
Daniel stood.
“Why didn't you come to me?””
My mother looked at him sadly.
“Because your father had already died, and I believed your family was responsible.””
Daniel lowered his head.
She continued.
“Peter told me Richard had arranged to transfer money into my name. He said the police would believe I had helped him steal from the company. He offered me a deal.””
“What deal?””
“He said if I stopped asking questions, he would make sure you and I were left alone.””
I felt sick.
“So you stayed silent?””
“I was carrying you. I had no money, no husband, and no one I trusted.””
She began crying.
“I chose you, Marcus. I chose to keep you safe.””
I sat beside her.
“Mom, you don't have to apologize for surviving.””
She squeezed my hand.
“But there is something else.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What?””
My mother stared at the old photograph.
“The night Richard died, he wasn't driving alone.””
Silence.
I felt my heartbeat in my throat.
“Who was with him?””
“Margaret.””
Daniel's eyes widened.
“My mother?””
My mother nodded.
“She called me from the hospital parking lot. She said Richard had discovered something terrible about Arthur and Peter. She wanted to meet me because Richard had left something for you.””
Jonathan leaned forward.
“Did Margaret tell you what happened in the car?””
“She said they had argued with Peter earlier that evening. Richard wanted to go to the police. Margaret wanted him to wait until she could gather the original records.””
Daniel covered his mouth.
My mother continued.
“Richard refused. He said the evidence was already enough. He told Margaret he was taking me and the baby away.””
“And then?”” I asked.
“Peter followed them.””
My mother began shaking.
“Margaret said another vehicle appeared behind them. Richard tried to avoid it. His car left the road.””
Daniel looked horrified.
“Was Margaret injured?””
“She survived with minor injuries. She was taken to another hospital. Peter told everyone she had been nowhere near the accident.””
Jonathan slowly stood.
“Did Margaret identify the other vehicle?””
My mother nodded.
“She told me it belonged to Arthur.””
Daniel stumbled backward.
“No.””
My mother looked at him.
“Margaret said your father had been following them.””
Daniel shook his head.
“My father died six years ago. He never told me any of this.””
“Margaret was afraid,” my mother whispered.
“She said Arthur had threatened to destroy anyone who spoke.””
I looked toward Vanessa.
She was crying silently.
“Did your mother tell you this?””
Vanessa nodded.
“When I was sixteen, she told me Grandpa had been involved in Richard's death. She said she had kept quiet because she was afraid he would come after me.””
Daniel stared at his daughter.
“You knew my father might have been responsible for killing my brother?””
“I was sixteen!””
“And you never told me?””
“Grandma said she had proof, but it wasn't enough to send him to prison.””
Jonathan interrupted.
“We need to find that music box. It may contain the original evidence, including records that establish what happened that night.””
My mother looked toward me.
“There's one more thing Peter doesn't know.””
“What?””
“When Richard gave me the music box, he told me to remember a little melody.””
She closed her eyes and hummed four soft notes.
I recognized it immediately.
It was the same tune she used to hum when I was a child.
Every night before bed.
Every time I was frightened.
Every time I asked about my father.
I had thought it was simply a lullaby.
But my mother looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Richard told me the melody was the key to opening the hidden compartment.””
Jonathan checked his phone.
“Peter wants Marcus to meet him tomorrow. We should not go without police protection.””
I nodded.
Then Vanessa spoke.
“I know where Peter keeps the music box.””
Everyone turned toward her.
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a small photograph.
It showed an old country house surrounded by trees.
“Peter gave me this address when he contacted me about the trust money. He said he was keeping Grandma's belongings there.””
Daniel stared at the photograph.
“That's the old Lawson estate.””
Vanessa nodded.
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you tell us?””
“Because I was planning to get the money before anyone discovered what I'd done.””
Her voice cracked.
“But now I know Peter was never going to give me anything.””
Jonathan took the photograph.
“I'm sending this to the authorities.””
I turned toward my mother.
“We're getting that music box.””
She nodded.
But before we could leave, my phone vibrated again.
A message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of the music box.
Beside it was a handwritten note.
Your mother has until midnight to tell you the rest. Otherwise, I'll tell you myself.
May you like
And beneath that sentence was another line.
Ask Eleanor what happened to Margaret the morning after the accident.
