Chapter 7: The Secret Behind My Father's Death
For twenty-seven years, I had believed my father died on a highway.
Now I was looking at an official document claiming he died on private property owned by Richard Bennett.
I read the amendment again.
Then a third time.
"Jonathan, who filed this?""
He examined the bottom of the page.
"The amendment was submitted by a legal representative three days after your father's funeral. The representative's name is Richard Bennett.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Why would he have access to my father's death records?""
"That's what we need to establish.""
My mother was sitting silently beside the window.
I turned toward her.
"Mom, did you know about this?""
She nodded slowly.
"Not at first.""
"What do you mean?""
She looked down at her hands.
"After your father died, Richard came to our apartment. He said he had been a business associate of your father and wanted to help us with the funeral arrangements.""
I pulled my chair closer.
"What did he tell you?""
"He said the accident had been terrible. He said your father had been driving home after a late meeting when another vehicle struck him.""
"Did you believe him?""
"I had no reason not to.""
She paused.
"Then, about a week later, I received a phone call from a woman who said she worked for the hotel company. She told me your father had been seen arguing with Richard shortly before he died.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"I tried.""
"What happened?""
My mother wiped her eyes.
"The officer said there was no evidence of a crime. Richard had already provided the accident report. He told everyone your father had been driving recklessly.""
I felt anger rising through my chest.
"Was that true?""
"No.""
Her answer came immediately.
"Your father was the most careful driver I ever knew. He never even drove after drinking a cup of wine.""
I looked at the document again.
"Why did you keep quiet?""
My mother took a shaky breath.
"Because someone called me two days after the funeral.""
"Who?""
"I never knew his name. He told me that if I continued asking questions, I might lose you too.""
The room went still.
Jonathan stopped writing.
I could barely speak.
"Someone threatened you?""
My mother nodded.
"He said your father had made powerful enemies. He said I should take the insurance money, raise my son, and forget everything.""
I reached for her hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
"Because you were eleven years old, Adrian. You had just lost your father. I wasn't going to make you afraid that someone might take you away from me.""
I closed my eyes.
For years, I had thought my mother was simply a woman who had endured tragedy.
I was beginning to understand that she had been protecting me from something much darker.
Jonathan stood.
"Mrs. Cole, I think we need to speak with the original investigating authority and obtain the complete accident file.""
"Will they listen now?"" I asked.
"They'll have to consider the new evidence. The amended death record, the property connection, and the original business documents create questions that weren't previously examined.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Find out everything about Richard Bennett's property from that night.""
Daniel nodded.
"Already on it.""
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice spoke quietly.
"Mr. Cole, my name is Peter Lawson. I used to work for your father.""
I stood immediately.
"What did you say?""
"I worked at Lakeshore Hospitality before everything happened. I heard about your mother's situation. I thought you deserved to know the truth.""
"How did you get this number?""
"Your father's old records contained your company's contact information.""
"Where are you?""
"At a diner near the old Cleveland property. I don't have much time.""
I looked at Jonathan.
He nodded.
"Don't go alone," he mouthed.
I asked the caller, "What do you know about my father?""
There was a pause.
Then he said:
"I was the last person who saw him alive.""
My heart began pounding.
"Did you witness the accident?""
"No, sir.""
"Then what happened?""
Peter lowered his voice.
"Your father wasn't killed on the highway. He was taken to Richard Bennett's property after a meeting. I heard an argument. Then I heard a gunshot.""
I gripped the phone.
"Are you saying Richard killed my father?""
"I'm saying I heard Richard threaten him. And I heard the gunshot.""
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"I tried. But someone showed up at my apartment that night. They knew where my children went to school.""
I looked at my mother.
She was staring at me.
"Can you testify?""
Peter was silent.
Then he answered.
"I can show you something better.""
"What?""
"Your father left a recording.""
The line crackled.
"Where is it?""
"In a storage unit. I've kept it for twenty-seven years.""
"Why?""
"Because I promised your father I would give it to you when the time was right.""
I glanced at Jonathan.
He was already reaching for his coat.
"Peter, don't go anywhere. We're coming.""
"There's one thing you need to understand, Mr. Cole.""
"What?""
"The recording doesn't just expose Richard Bennett.""
He paused.
"It exposes someone who was with your father that night.""
"Who?""
Peter's answer came almost as a whisper.
"Your father wasn't alone when he died.""
The call ended.
We arrived at the diner shortly after noon.
Daniel had arranged for two security officers to accompany us.
The restaurant was almost empty. A waitress was wiping the counter, and an old radio played softly behind the kitchen.
Peter Lawson sat in the back booth.
He was in his late sixties, with silver hair and a deep scar running along his left cheek.
When he saw me, he stood.
"Adrian Cole?""
I nodded.
He studied my face.
"You look just like him.""
I sat opposite him.
"Tell me what happened.""
Peter placed an old photograph on the table.
It showed my father standing outside a hotel beside two men.
One was Richard Bennett.
The other was someone I recognized immediately.
My father's younger brother.
Uncle Thomas.
I frowned.
"Why is my uncle in this photograph?""
Peter looked at me.
"Because Thomas was there that night.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"My uncle died eight years ago.""
"I know.""
"Why are you bringing him into this?""
Peter leaned forward.
"Because your uncle was the one who arranged the meeting.""
I stared at the photograph.
My father and Thomas had always been close.
After my father died, Uncle Thomas helped my mother with repairs around the house. He attended my college graduation and gave a speech at my wedding.
Camille had loved him.
She used to say he was the only member of my family who understood her.
I looked at Peter.
"Are you telling me my uncle was involved in my father's death?""
Peter shook his head.
"No. I'm telling you he tried to stop it.""
He removed a small silver key from his pocket.
"This opens the storage unit.""
I reached for it.
But Peter didn't release it.
"Before you take this, I need you to understand something.""
"What?""
"The recording was made by your father himself.""
He looked directly at me.
"And there's a reason he never gave it to the police.""
"What reason?""
May you like
Peter finally released the key.
"Because the person who ordered the attack was standing beside him when he made it.""
