Chapter 8: The Warrant Against a Dead Man
Daniel opened## Chapter 8: The Warrant Against a Dead Man
Daniel opened the greenhouse door.
The police officer behind him was a broad-should the greenhouse door.
The police officer behind him was a broad-shouldered man in his forties. His uniform was neat, his expression unreadable, and a leather folder was tuckedered man in his forties. His uniform was neat, his expression unreadable, and a leather folder was tucked beneath his arm.
"Nobody move," he said.
I instinctively stepped backward, clutching the plastic envelope.
Daniel pointed at it.
"That's the evidence I told you about.""
Thomas moved in front of me.
"Evidence of what?""
The officer raised his hand.
" beneath his arm.
"Nobody move," he said.
I instinctively stepped backward, clutching the plastic envelope.
Daniel pointed at it.
"That's the evidence I told you about.""
Thomas moved in front of me.
"Evidence of what?""
The officer raised his hand.
"Let's establish some facts first. I'm Detective Harris. We received a report concerning potentially stolen financial documents and suspected fraud involving the Hayes estate.""
I looked at Daniel.
"You called the police?""
"I had no choice.""
"You've been trying to take everything from Grandpa's house!""
Daniel shook his head.
"You're sixteen, Maya. You don't understand how serious this is.""
Detective Harris glanced at him.
"Mr. Hayes, please letLet's establish some facts first. I'm Detective Harris. We received a report concerning potentially stolen financial documents and suspected fraud involving the Hayes estate.""
I looked at Daniel.
"You called the police?""
"I had no choice.""
"You've been trying to take everything from Grandpa's house!""
Daniel shook his head.
"You're sixteen, Maya. You don't understand how serious this is.""
Detective Harris glanced at him.
"Mr. Hayes, please let me handle the questions.""
He turned toward me.
"Can you tell me what you're holding?""
"Things my grandfather left for me.""
"May I see them?""
I looked at Thomas.
He nodded.
"Let the officer examine them, sweetheart. Just make sure everything is documented.""
I handed over the envelope.
Detective Harris removed the photograph first.
He studied it for several seconds.
"Do you recognize this man?""
"No.""
Daniel answered before me handle the questions.""
He turned toward me.
"Can you tell me what you're holding?""
"Things my grandfather left for me.""
"May I see them?""
I looked at Thomas.
He nodded.
"Let the officer examine them, sweetheart. Just make sure everything is documented.""
I handed over the envelope.
Detective Harris removed the photograph first.
He studied it for several seconds.
"Do you recognize this man?""
"No.""
Daniel answered before I could say anything else.
"That's the individual who received the money.""
Thomas frowned.
"How do you know?""
"Because I saw him with my father.""
Detective Harris turned toward Daniel.
"When?""
"Years ago.""
"Where?""
Daniel hesitated.
"At the house.""
"Do you know his name?""
"No.""
The detective returned his attention to the photograph.
"Then we have a man, a photograph, and an unidentified financial transaction. That doesn't establish criminal I could say anything else.
"That's the individual who received the money.""
Thomas frowned.
"How do you know?""
"Because I saw him with my father.""
Detective Harris turned toward Daniel.
"When?""
"Years ago.""
"Where?""
Daniel hesitated.
"At the house.""
"Do you know his name?""
"No.""
The detective returned his attention to the photograph.
"Then we have a man, a photograph, and an unidentified financial transaction. That doesn't establish criminal responsibility.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He clearly hadn't expected that answer.
The detective examined the receipt.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
I nodded.
"Grandpa withdrew that money, but the note says it was returned.""
"Who wrote the note?""
"My grandfather.""
Detective Harris placed the receipt back inside the envelope.
"Where did you find these documents?""
"In a locked compartment under the greenhouse bench.""
Daniel laughed.
"Convenient.""
I responsibility.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He clearly hadn't expected that answer.
The detective examined the receipt.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
I nodded.
"Grandpa withdrew that money, but the note says it was returned.""
"Who wrote the note?""
"My grandfather.""
Detective Harris placed the receipt back inside the envelope.
"Where did you find these documents?""
"In a locked compartment under the greenhouse bench.""
Daniel laughed.
"Convenient.""
I turned toward him.
"Why? Did you know it was there?""
He ignored me.
Detective Harris opened his folder.
"The warrant authorizes us to search the property for documents connected to the suspected financial transactions. It does not authorize anyone to remove or destroy material.""
He turned toward him.
"Why? Did you know it was there?""
He ignored me.
Detective Harris opened his folder.
"The warrant authorizes us to search the property for documents connected to the suspected financial transactions. It does not authorize anyone to remove or destroy material.""
He showed the warrant to Mr. Bennett, who had just arrived with the housekeeper.
The lawyer examined it carefully.
"Detective, this warrant names Edward Hayes as the subject of the investigation. He's deceased.""
"The investigation concerns transactions made showed the warrant to Mr. Bennett, who had just arrived with the housekeeper.
The lawyer examined it carefully.
"Detective, this warrant names Edward Hayes as the subject of the investigation. He's deceased.""
"The investigation concerns transactions made while he was alive.""
"Understood. I would like a copy for the estate's records.""
"Of course.""
Mr. Bennett looked at Daniel.
"Who filed the complaint?""
Detective Harris checked his paperwork.
"Daniel Hayes.""
I stared at my uncle.
"You reported your own father?""
Daniel spread his hands.
"I reported suspicious activity. Someone had to.""
Thomas stepped forward.
while he was alive.""
"Understood. I would like a copy for the estate's records.""
"Of course.""
Mr. Bennett looked at Daniel.
"Who filed the complaint?""
Detective Harris checked his paperwork.
"Daniel Hayes.""
I stared at my uncle.
"You reported your own father?""
Daniel spread his hands.
"I reported suspicious activity. Someone had to.""
Thomas stepped forward.
"You didn't report suspicious activity. You reported the man who spent eleven years trying to find out who killed his daughter.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Detective Harris immediately intervened.
"That's enough. Everyone needs to remain calm.""
He looked at the cassette.
"What's on this?""
"I don't know," I answered.
"Then we'll have it examined.""
Mr. Bennett shook his head.
"With respect, Detective, this material belongs to the estate. It should be"You didn't report suspicious activity. You reported the man who spent eleven years trying to find out who killed his daughter.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Detective Harris immediately intervened.
"That's enough. Everyone needs to remain calm.""
He looked at the cassette.
"What's on this?""
"I don't know," I answered.
"Then we'll have it examined.""
Mr. Bennett shook his head.
"With respect, Detective, this material belongs to the estate. It should be copied and preserved under proper supervision.""
"That's reasonable.""
The detective placed the cassette in an evidence bag.
I felt a sudden panic.
"Wait. My grandfather wrote 'Do not destroy' on it. Does that mean we can listen to it?""
"Not until it's properly documented.""
Daniel copied and preserved under proper supervision.""
"That's reasonable.""
The detective placed the cassette in an evidence bag.
I felt a sudden panic.
"Wait. My grandfather wrote 'Do not destroy' on it. Does that mean we can listen to it?""
"Not until it's properly documented.""
Daniel smiled faintly.
I noticed.
It was the same smile he had worn in the library when Claire announced that Grandpa had left me nothing.
A smile that suggested he knew something I didn't.
And that frightened me more than the warrant.
The search lasted nearly two hours.
Officers photographed the greenhouse, examined the safe, and documented the documents found in the study.
Daniel remained close to Detective Harris throughout the process.
He offered explanations before anyone smiled faintly.
I noticed.
It was the same smile he had worn in the library when Claire announced that Grandpa had left me nothing.
A smile that suggested he knew something I didn't.
And that frightened me more than the warrant.
The search lasted nearly two hours.
Officers photographed the greenhouse, examined the safe, and documented the documents found in the study.
Daniel remained close to Detective Harris throughout the process.
He offered explanations before anyone asked questions. He repeatedly described my grandfather as confused and financially irresponsible.
At one point, I heard him say, "Dad was obsessed with Evelyn's death. He believed everyone was conspiring against him.""
I wanted to interrupt.
Instead, I watched.
I watched how Daniel avoided looking at Thomas.
I watched how Claire sat in the hallway, twisting her wedding ring.
And I watched asked questions. He repeatedly described my grandfather as confused and financially irresponsible.
At one point, I heard him say, "Dad was obsessed with Evelyn's death. He believed everyone was conspiring against him.""
I wanted to interrupt.
Instead, I watched.
I watched how Daniel avoided looking at Thomas.
I watched how Claire sat in the hallway, twisting her wedding ring.
And I watched how Detective Harris became increasingly interested in the old photograph.
Eventually, he approached me.
"Maya, I need to ask you something.""
"Okay.""
"Did your grandfather ever mention a man named Robert Vance?""
I looked at him.
"No. Who is he?""
The detective glanced at Daniel.
"He's a former employee of Hayes Holdings. He was investigated for financial misconduct several years ago.""
Thomas stepped closer.
"Robert Vance.""
He said the name as though he recognized it how Detective Harris became increasingly interested in the old photograph.
Eventually, he approached me.
"Maya, I need to ask you something.""
"Okay.""
"Did your grandfather ever mention a man named Robert Vance?""
I looked at him.
"No. Who is he?""
The detective glanced at Daniel.
"He's a former employee of Hayes Holdings. He was investigated for financial misconduct several years ago.""
Thomas stepped closer.
"Robert Vance.""
He said the name as though he recognized it.
"You know him?"" I asked.
Thomas nodded.
"Evelyn mentioned him in her final weeks. She said he handled some of the company's offshore accounts.""
Detective Harris opened his folder.
"That's interesting.""
Daniel interrupted.
"Robert was fired years ago. He has nothing to do with this.
"You know him?"" I asked.
Thomas nodded.
"Evelyn mentioned him in her final weeks. She said he handled some of the company's offshore accounts.""
Detective Harris opened his folder.
"That's interesting.""
Daniel interrupted.
"Robert was fired years ago. He has nothing to do with this.""
"Why was he fired?"" I asked.
Daniel looked at me.
"Because he stole from the company.""
"Did Mom find out?""
"Enough, Maya.""
Detective Harris raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Hayes, I'd appreciate it if you allowed her to answer questions without interruption.""
Daniel stepped back.
The detective turned toward Thomas.
"Would you be willing to provide a formal statement?""
"Absolutely.""
"And you, Maya?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
He wrote something in his notebook.
"Good. We'll arrange that.""
Before.""
"Why was he fired?"" I asked.
Daniel looked at me.
"Because he stole from the company.""
"Did Mom find out?""
"Enough, Maya.""
Detective Harris raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Hayes, I'd appreciate it if you allowed her to answer questions without interruption.""
Daniel stepped back.
The detective turned toward Thomas.
"Would you be willing to provide a formal statement?""
"Absolutely.""
"And you, Maya?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
He wrote something in his notebook.
"Good. We'll arrange that.""
Before leaving, he handed Mr. Bennett a card.
"If you discover anything else, contact me directly leaving, he handed Mr. Bennett a card.
"If you discover anything else, contact me directly. Do not attempt to investigate this yourselves.""
Then he turned toward Daniel.
"I'll need you to come to the station tomorrow to clarify some. Do not attempt to investigate this yourselves.""
Then he turned toward Daniel.
"I'll need you to come to the station tomorrow to clarify some details about the financial records.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Am I being accused of something?""
"At this stage, I'm asking questions.""
"Then I want my lawyer.""
"That's your right.""
He walked out without saying goodbye.
That evening, Thomas sat with me in the kitchen.
Mrs. Collins brought us details about the financial records.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Am I being accused of something?""
"At this stage, I'm asking questions.""
"Then I want my lawyer.""
"That's your right.""
He walked out without saying goodbye.
That evening, Thomas sat with me in the kitchen.
Mrs. Collins brought us tea and a plate of biscuits. She placed a small hand on my shoulder.
"Your mother would tea and a plate of biscuits. She placed a small hand on my shoulder.
"Your mother would be proud of you.""
I looked at her.
"Did you know about all this?""
Her expression became sad.
"Your grandfather asked me to keep certain things private. be proud of you.""
I looked at her.
"Did you know about all this?""
Her expression became sad.
"Your grandfather asked me to keep certain things private. I never knew the whole story.""
"What did he tell you?""
She hesitated.
"He told me that if a man named Robert Vance ever came to the house, I was to call him immediately.""
I put down my cup.
"Robert Vance?""
She nodded.
"Your grandfather said that man knew what happened to Evelyn.""
Thomas leaned forward.
"Did Robert ever visit?""
"Once. About a month before Edward died.""
My heart I never knew the whole story.""
"What did he tell you?""
She hesitated.
"He told me that if a man named Robert Vance ever came to the house, I was to call him immediately.""
I put down my cup.
"Robert Vance?""
She nodded.
"Your grandfather said that man knew what happened to Evelyn.""
Thomas leaned forward.
"Did Robert ever visit?""
"Once. About a month before Edward died.""
My heart began pounding.
"What did he look like?""
"Gray hair. A scar near his left eyebrow. He carried a walking stick.""
Thomas looked at me.
"I remember him.""
"From where?""
"He was standing outside the courthouse the day I was arrested.""
Mrs. Collins crossed herself.
"He left something for Miss Maya.""
She hurried upstairs.
A few minutes later, she returned with a small wooden box.
"I found it in the pantry after Mr. Hayes died. I was told not to open it.""
The box had my name written on top.
Inside was a photograph of a younger Robert Vance.
Beneath it lay a folded note.
I opened it.
Maya,
Your grandfather paid me to keep quiet about something I witnessed on October 16.
I have carried that guilt for sixteen years.
If you want to know who ordered the accident, meet me at the old railway station tomorrow at noon.
Come alone.
I read the final sentence twice.
Then I noticed the handwriting beneath it.
It wasn't Robert's.
It was my grandfather's.
*If he contacts you, do not go alone.*
I looked at Thomas.
"Why would Grandpa leave two opposite instructions?""
Thomas studied the note.
Then his expression changed.
"Because one of them was written after the other.""
He turned the paper over.
In the lower corner was a date.
Three days before my grandfather died.
May you like
And beneath that date was a final sentence.
*Robert Vance is not the man you should be afraid of.*
