Chapter 8: The Man Who Kept## Chapter 8: The Man Who Kept His Promise
The old repair shop looked His Promise
The old repair shop looked smaller than I remembered.
The sign above the entrance was gone smaller than I remembered.
The sign above the entrance was gone. The windows had been replaced, and a new company logo covered the wall where my father's name had once stood.
But the smell was familiar.
Oil. The windows had been replaced, and a new company logo covered the wall where my father's name had once stood.
But the smell was familiar.
Oil.
Metal.
Dust.
And something faintly sweet from the little coffee machine my father had kept beside his desk.
I arrived at 8:.
Metal.
Dust.
And something faintly sweet from the little coffee machine my father had kept beside his desk.
I arrived at 8:15 the next morning.
Robert Ellis was already waiting.
He stood near the back entrance, wearing an old brown jacket and holding a paper bag.
15 the next morning.
Robert Ellis was already waiting.
He stood near the back entrance, wearing an old brown jacket and holding a paper bag.
When he saw me, he looked over his shoulder.
"You're early.""
"You said to come alone.""
"I did.""
"ThenWhen he saw me, he looked over his shoulder.
"You're early.""
"You said to come alone.""
"I did.""
"Then tell me why.""
Robert looked toward the office.
"Your father kept a spare key under the third brick near the back door. Do you remember tell me why.""
Robert looked toward the office.
"Your father kept a spare key under the third brick near the back door. Do you remember?""
I nodded.
He crouched, moved the brick, and retrieved a small key.
"Some things never change.""
He unlocked the door.
Inside, the shop had been stripped of nearly?""
I nodded.
He crouched, moved the brick, and retrieved a small key.
"Some things never change.""
He unlocked the door.
Inside, the shop had been stripped of nearly everything. The workbenches were gone. The shelves were empty. Even the old clock had disappeared.
I walked toward the office.
My father's chair was gone.
But there was still a faint rectangular mark on the everything. The workbenches were gone. The shelves were empty. Even the old clock had disappeared.
I walked toward the office.
My father's chair was gone.
But there was still a faint rectangular mark on the wall where his family photographs had hung.
I stopped.
"Robert, why did you bring me here?""
He placed the paper bag on the floor.
" wall where his family photographs had hung.
I stopped.
"Robert, why did you bring me here?""
He placed the paper bag on the floor.
"Because I lied to you.""
I turned.
"About what?""
"Your father's last night.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Start talking.""
Robert rubbed his handsBecause I lied to you.""
I turned.
"About what?""
"Your father's last night.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Start talking.""
Robert rubbed his hands together.
"Three years ago, Arthur called me around six in the evening. He said he was expecting someone and needed me to stay available.""
"Who was he expecting?""
"Margaret.""
I stared at him.
"Victor told me she together.
"Three years ago, Arthur called me around six in the evening. He said he was expecting someone and needed me to stay available.""
"Who was he expecting?""
"Margaret.""
I stared at him.
"Victor told me she was there.""
"He was right.""
"What happened?""
Robert walked toward the office window.
"Your father and Margaret argued. I heard them from the workshop.""
"About was there.""
"He was right.""
"What happened?""
Robert walked toward the office window.
"Your father and Margaret argued. I heard them from the workshop.""
"About the land?""
"About money.""
"What money?""
"The community reserve. Margaret had transferred funds without authorization. Arthur discovered it and demanded that she return the money.""
I remembered the ledger.
The one-point-two million dollars.
the land?""
"About money.""
"What money?""
"The community reserve. Margaret had transferred funds without authorization. Arthur discovered it and demanded that she return the money.""
I remembered the ledger.
The one-point-two million dollars.
"How much did she take?""
"More than the original transfer. She had access to several accounts.""
"Did my father report her?""
"No. He gave her an opportunity to correct things.""
I shook my head.
"Why would he do that?""
"Because he cared"How much did she take?""
"More than the original transfer. She had access to several accounts.""
"Did my father report her?""
"No. He gave her an opportunity to correct things.""
I shook my head.
"Why would he do that?""
"Because he cared about Naomi.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
Robert sighed.
"Your father had always considered Naomi part of the family. He knew you loved about Naomi.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
Robert sighed.
"Your father had always considered Naomi part of the family. He knew you loved her. He didn't want her to lose her mother over something Margaret had done.""
I felt a bitter laugh rising in my throat.
"So he her. He didn't want her to lose her mother over something Margaret had done.""
I felt a bitter laugh rising in my throat.
"So he protected her.""
"He protected everyone he could.""
Robert opened the paper bag and removed a small cassette recorder.
"I kept this.""
I stared at it.
"What's protected her.""
"He protected everyone he could.""
Robert opened the paper bag and removed a small cassette recorder.
"I kept this.""
I stared at it.
"What's that?""
"Your father recorded the meeting.""
"Why?""
"He was afraid Margaret would deny everything.""
He placed the recorder on that?""
"Your father recorded the meeting.""
"Why?""
"He was afraid Margaret would deny everything.""
He placed the recorder on the desk.
"I made a copy before Daniel took the original.""
I looked at him sharply.
"Daniel took the recording?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
the desk.
"I made a copy before Daniel took the original.""
I looked at him sharply.
"Daniel took the recording?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
"After Arthur died.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
Robert looked down.
"Because I was afraid"After Arthur died.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
Robert looked down.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of Daniel?""
"Of Victor. Of Margaret. Of everyone involved.""
He pressed the play button.
A few seconds of static filled.""
"Of Daniel?""
"Of Victor. Of Margaret. Of everyone involved.""
He pressed the play button.
A few seconds of static filled the room.
Then my father's voice emerged.
"Margaret, I can't keep covering this.""
Her voice sounded sharp.
"Arthur, you don't understand the situation.""
"I understand perfectly the room.
Then my father's voice emerged.
"Margaret, I can't keep covering this.""
Her voice sounded sharp.
"Arthur, you don't understand the situation.""
"I understand perfectly. You transferred money that belonged to twenty-three families.""
"I was going to put it back.""
"When?""
"When the project closes. You transferred money that belonged to twenty-three families.""
"I was going to put it back.""
"When?""
"When the project closes.""
"The project may never close.""
"Then what do you expect me to do?""
"Tell the truth.""
There was a long silence.
Then Margaret spoke again.
"Naomi is going to.""
"The project may never close.""
"Then what do you expect me to do?""
"Tell the truth.""
There was a long silence.
Then Margaret spoke again.
"Naomi is going to marry your son.""
My father's voice changed.
"Leave Marcus out of this.""
"I'm trying to help him.""
"By stealing from the families his marry your son.""
My father's voice changed.
"Leave Marcus out of this.""
"I'm trying to help him.""
"By stealing from the families his mother spent her life protecting?""
"You don't know what you're talking about.""
"I know exactly what I'm talking about.""
A chair scraped across the floor.
Then Margaret said something that made my stomach turn.
"Victor promised mother spent her life protecting?""
"You don't know what you're talking about.""
"I know exactly what I'm talking about.""
A chair scraped across the floor.
Then Margaret said something that made my stomach turn.
"Victor promised me that Marcus would never have to know.""
My father answered immediately.
"Marcus will know everything when the time comes.""
The recording continued.
"Then you'll lose me that Marcus would never have to know.""
My father answered immediately.
"Marcus will know everything when the time comes.""
The recording continued.
"Then you'll lose him," Margaret said.
My father's voice softened.
"Maybe. But at least he'll know what his mother stood for.""
The recording stopped.
I looked at Robert.
"Was that the last conversation?""
"No.""
He him," Margaret said.
My father's voice softened.
"Maybe. But at least he'll know what his mother stood for.""
The recording stopped.
I looked at Robert.
"Was that the last conversation?""
"No.""
He pressed another button.
A second recording began.
This time, my father's voice was weaker.
"Robert, I need you to listen.""
"Arthur, what's wrong?""
"I think they know about the original list.""
pressed another button.
A second recording began.
This time, my father's voice was weaker.
"Robert, I need you to listen.""
"Arthur, what's wrong?""
"I think they know about the original list.""
"Who?""
"Daniel. Margaret. Maybe Victor.""
"Then call the police.""
"Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because the list includes people who could lose their homes if this gets out.""
Robert's voice became louder"Who?""
"Daniel. Margaret. Maybe Victor.""
"Then call the police.""
"Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because the list includes people who could lose their homes if this gets out.""
Robert's voice became louder.
"You're protecting them again!""
"I made a promise.""
"Arthur, you're going to get yourself killed.""
My father laughed quietly.
"I've been.
"You're protecting them again!""
"I made a promise.""
"Arthur, you're going to get yourself killed.""
My father laughed quietly.
"I've been repairing other people's messes for forty years. I suppose I should finish one more.""
There was a pause.
Then my father spoke again.
"Take repairing other people's messes for forty years. I suppose I should finish one more.""
There was a pause.
Then my father spoke again.
"Take care of Marcus.""
The recording ended.
I stared at the machine.
My eyes burned.
Those were the last words my father had left for his care of Marcus.""
The recording ended.
I stared at the machine.
My eyes burned.
Those were the last words my father had left for his closest friend.
"Why didn't you give me this earlier?"" I asked.
Robert looked ashamed.
"Because Daniel told me the recording had disappeared. He said Victor had copies and would make sure I was blamed if anything surfaced.""
I stood.
"You're closest friend.
"Why didn't you give me this earlier?"" I asked.
Robert looked ashamed.
"Because Daniel told me the recording had disappeared. He said Victor had copies and would make sure I was blamed if anything surfaced.""
I stood.
"You're telling me you allowed me to believe my father died naturally while you knew there was a recording of his final night?""
Robert's eyes telling me you allowed me to believe my father died naturally while you knew there was a recording of his final night?""
Robert's eyes filled.
"I was a coward.""
I looked away.
He continued.
"After the funeral, I received a letter from your father. It instructed me to wait until you had independent control of the land before giving you the recording.""
"Why?""
"Because filled.
"I was a coward.""
I looked away.
He continued.
"After the funeral, I received a letter from your father. It instructed me to wait until you had independent control of the land before giving you the recording.""
"Why?""
"Because he didn't want you dragged into the fight before you were ready.""
I closed my eyes.
My father had been protecting me even after he was gone.
Then I noticed something on he didn't want you dragged into the fight before you were ready.""
I closed my eyes.
My father had been protecting me even after he was gone.
Then I noticed something on the desk.
A small brass plate had been screwed beneath the wooden surface.
I recognized the inscription.
*A. Carter — Riverside Cooperative Treasurer.*
I ran my fingers along the edge.
"What's this?""
Robert looked at the desk.
A small brass plate had been screwed beneath the wooden surface.
I recognized the inscription.
*A. Carter — Riverside Cooperative Treasurer.*
I ran my fingers along the edge.
"What's this?""
Robert looked at it.
"I've never noticed that.""
I pulled the plate.
It came loose.
Behind it was a small metal compartment.
Inside lay a folded sheet of paper.
I opened it.
There were it.
"I've never noticed that.""
I pulled the plate.
It came loose.
Behind it was a small metal compartment.
Inside lay a folded sheet of paper.
I opened it.
There were twenty-three names.
The original beneficiary list.
But unlike the copy Naomi had found, this one contained additional columns.
Dates.
Account numbers.
And twenty-three names.
The original beneficiary list.
But unlike the copy Naomi had found, this one contained additional columns.
Dates.
Account numbers.
And a final heading:
*Authorized Trustees.*
My father's name appeared first.
Robert's appeared second.
The third name a final heading:
*Authorized Trustees.*
My father's name appeared first.
Robert's appeared second.
The third name made me stop.
*Margaret Reed.*
She had been an authorized trustee.
Not an outsider.
Not merely a consultant.
She had helped manage made me stop.
*Margaret Reed.*
She had been an authorized trustee.
Not an outsider.
Not merely a consultant.
She had helped manage the fund from the beginning.
But there was something else.
Beside her name was a handwritten note:
**Suspended pending investigation — 201 the fund from the beginning.
But there was something else.
Beside her name was a handwritten note:
*Suspended pending investigation — 2019.*
I looked at Robert.
"Why was she suspended?""
"Because Arthur discovered the missing money.""
"And who9.**
I looked at Robert.
"Why was she suspended?""
"Because Arthur discovered the missing money.""
"And who reinstated her?""
Robert shook his head.
"No one.""
I stared at the page.
"Then why did she have access?""
Robert looked frightened.
"That's what reinstated her?""
Robert shook his head.
"No one.""
I stared at the page.
"Then why did she have access?""
Robert looked frightened.
"That's what your father was trying to find out.""
My phone rang.
Helen.
I answered.
"Marcus, where are you?""
"At the old shop.""
"Get out.""
"What?""
"Now. The storage facility your father was trying to find out.""
My phone rang.
Helen.
I answered.
"Marcus, where are you?""
"At the old shop.""
"Get out.""
"What?""
"Now. The storage facility just received a report that someone attempted to access your father's old records.""
I looked at Robert.
"Who?""
"We don't know. But the person used just received a report that someone attempted to access your father's old records.""
I looked at Robert.
"Who?""
"We don't know. But the person used an authorization connected to Riverside Holdings.""
Robert stepped toward the door.
Then we heard a vehicle outside.
A black SUV stopped near the entrance.
Daniel Price stepped out.
He looked through the window an authorization connected to Riverside Holdings.""
Robert stepped toward the door.
Then we heard a vehicle outside.
A black SUV stopped near the entrance.
Daniel Price stepped out.
He looked through the window and saw us.
His expression hardened.
Robert whispered, "Oh, God.""
Daniel opened the door.
"Robert.""
Robert didn't move.
Daniel looked at the recorder.
and saw us.
His expression hardened.
Robert whispered, "Oh, God.""
Daniel opened the door.
"Robert.""
Robert didn't move.
Daniel looked at the recorder.
Then at the paper in my hand.
"Give me those.""
I folded the list and placed it inside my jacket.
"No.""
Daniel closed the door behind him.
"Marcus, you're making a very serious mistake.""
"You keep saying that.""
Then at the paper in my hand.
"Give me those.""
I folded the list and placed it inside my jacket.
"No.""
Daniel closed the door behind him.
"Marcus, you're making a very serious mistake.""
"You keep saying that.""
He took another step.
"Your father was a good man. But he was also reckless.""
"Did you drugHe took another step.
"Your father was a good man. But he was also reckless.""
"Did you drug him?""
Daniel's face changed.
Robert gasped.
Daniel stared at me.
"Who told you that?""
I felt my blood run cold.
He hadn't him?""
Daniel's face changed.
Robert gasped.
Daniel stared at me.
"Who told you that?""
I felt my blood run cold.
He hadn't denied it.
"Answer me.""
Daniel glanced at Robert.
Then he gave a small, humorless smile.
"Your father wasn't supposed to die that night.""
The room became silent.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel denied it.
"Answer me.""
Daniel glanced at Robert.
Then he gave a small, humorless smile.
"Your father wasn't supposed to die that night.""
The room became silent.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel looked toward the exit.
"It means someone made a decision that went too far.""
"Who?""
He took another step.
"Give me the list, Marcus. looked toward the exit.
"It means someone made a decision that went too far.""
"Who?""
He took another step.
"Give me the list, Marcus. You don't understand what's written on it.""
I shook my head.
"Then explain it.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He looked at Robert.
You don't understand what's written on it.""
I shook my head.
"Then explain it.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He looked at Robert.
And Robert suddenly said something I never expected.
"Tell him about the twenty-fourth name.""
I turned.
"What twenty-fourth name?""
Daniel's face went pale.
And Robert suddenly said something I never expected.
"Tell him about the twenty-fourth name.""
I turned.
"What twenty-fourth name?""
Daniel's face went pale.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Then the front door opened again.
A woman walked in.
Margaret Reed.
She looked directly at Robert.
"How dare you?""
Robert stepped back.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Then the front door opened again.
A woman walked in.
Margaret Reed.
She looked directly at Robert.
"How dare you?""
Robert stepped back.
Margaret pointed at the list in my hand.
"Marcus, give me that document.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Because your father wasn't the only person who diedMargaret pointed at the list in my hand.
"Marcus, give me that document.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Because your father wasn't the only person who died protecting that list.""
My heart stopped.
"Who else?""
May you like
Margaret's eyes filled.
"Your mother.""
