Chapter 8: The Hospital Door
“Marcus.””
He said nothing.
Maya stepped closer.
“Why were you at the hospital?””
The pool lights reflected in his eyes.
Vanessa stopped crying.
Even Daniel looked surprised.
The silver-dressed woman lowered her gaze.
Maya's voice sharpened.
“Answer me.””
Marcus finally spoke.
“Your father called me.””
“When?””
“That night.””
“Why?””
“He said someone was coming for him.””
Maya's breathing slowed.
“And you went?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Marcus looked away.
“Because I was too late.””
Maya stared.
“What does that mean?””
Marcus swallowed.
“I arrived after the ambulance.””
Daniel suddenly laughed.
“You're lying.””
Marcus turned.
“You weren't there.””
“I know exactly what happened.””
“Then tell her.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“I was there before Marcus.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“You said you weren't.””
“I lied.””
Maya felt sick.
“You were both there?””
Daniel nodded.
“Your father knew I was coming.””
“Why?””
“Because I confronted him.””
“About the company?””
“Yes.””
Marcus interrupted.
“Don't twist this.””
Daniel ignored him.
“Your father offered me a settlement.””
Maya stared.
“And you refused?””
“He offered me silence.””
“What did you want?””
“The truth.””
Daniel looked at the mansion.
“Your father stole everything from my family.””
Marcus shook his head.
“That isn't what happened.””
“You weren't there.””
“I was.””
Daniel's eyes flashed.
“Then tell her what you saw.””
Marcus went silent.
Maya looked between them.
“What did you see?””
Marcus rubbed his jaw.
“Your father was alive when I arrived.””
Maya's eyes widened.
“And?””
“He was bleeding.””
“From what?””
“A gunshot.””
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Maya stepped backward.
“You never told me my father was shot.””
“The police said it was an accident.””
“What?””
Marcus nodded.
“They found evidence suggesting he had handled the gun.””
Maya stared at him.
“My father killed himself?””
“That was the official conclusion.””
“And you didn't believe it.””
“No.””
“Why?””
Marcus looked directly at her.
“Because he told me who he was afraid of.””
Maya whispered, “Who?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Daniel did.
“Me.””
Maya turned.
Daniel shook his head.
“Your father blamed me because I had confronted him.””
Marcus's voice was low.
“He didn't blame Daniel.””
Daniel's smile disappeared.
“Then who?””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa froze.
“No.””
Maya followed his gaze.
“Vanessa?””
Marcus shook his head.
“Not Vanessa.””
He looked toward the silver-dressed woman.
She stepped forward.
“Your father named someone else.””
Maya's heart pounded.
“Who?””
The woman hesitated.
“Your father's attorney.””
Maya frowned.
“Mr. Collins?””
“Yes.””
“But he died last year.””
“He did.””
Daniel suddenly looked toward Marcus.
“So did the accountant.””
Maya's stomach dropped.
“What are you saying?””
Marcus answered.
“Everyone who knew about the hidden company is dead.””
Silence.
Maya looked at the paper in her hand.
Her father's handwriting seemed darker now.
“Except me.””
Marcus nodded.
“And whoever has been trying to get you killed.””
A phone began ringing.
Everyone turned.
It wasn't Marcus's.
It wasn't Maya's.
Vanessa slowly reached into her purse.
Her face went pale when she saw the screen.
“It's him.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Answer it.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“What if he knows we're here?””
Marcus held out his hand.
“Put it on speaker.””
Vanessa answered.
“Hello?””
Static.
Then a man's voice.
Calm.
Old.
Familiar.
“Vanessa.””
She nearly dropped the phone.
Maya's eyes narrowed.
She recognized that voice.
Her father's former attorney.
Mr. Collins.
But that was impossible.
He had been buried eleven months ago.
The voice continued.
“You have until midnight.””
Marcus grabbed the phone.
“Who is this?””
A pause.
Then the voice laughed.
“You know exactly who I am.””
Marcus went completely still.
Maya stared at him.
“What did he say?””
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
“He knows we're here.””
May you like
Daniel whispered, “That's not possible.””
Then every light around the pool went out.
