Chapter 10: The Man Who Came Back from the Dead
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
The man standing beside Daniel looked exactly as I remembered him.
Silver hair. Narrow shoulders. Expensive black suit. A small gold watch beneath his left cuff.
His name was Richard Caldwell.
He had been my father's personal attorney for nearly twenty years.
He had prepared our family wills, managed the estate, and handled the legal arrangements after my father's death.
I had attended his funeral four years earlier.
I remembered the flowers.
I remembered the priest.
I remembered Daniel standing beside me, pretending to comfort me.
And now Richard Caldwell was standing in my living room.
Alive.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Richard smiled.
"Apparently, not.""
Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, Alexander. Don't look so shocked. Richard has been away for a while.""
I slowly descended the staircase.
Thomas followed several steps behind me.
"Richard," I said, "I attended your funeral.""
"Yes. An unfortunate misunderstanding.""
"Whose body was in the coffin?""
Richard adjusted his cufflinks.
"Someone who needed to disappear.""
I stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Who?""
He smiled again.
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
Daniel laughed.
"Brother, you're asking the wrong questions.""
I looked at him.
"What would the right questions be?""
"Why are you making this so difficult? We could have handled everything quietly.""
I glanced at Richard.
"Is that why you came back from the dead? To handle things quietly?""
Richard pulled a chair away from the dining table and sat down without being invited.
"Your father made many mistakes, Alexander. His biggest was believing he could control everyone around him.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Tell me what happened to him.""
Richard folded his hands.
"Your father survived the initial collision.""
The room seemed to become smaller.
"What?""
"He was taken to a private medical facility under a different identity. His injuries were severe, but he was alive.""
I stared at him.
"Why wasn't he brought home?""
Richard glanced at Daniel.
Daniel answered.
"Because Dad had become dangerous.""
I turned toward my brother.
"Dangerous?""
"He was going to destroy the company. He was paranoid, suspicious, and obsessed with money.""
"My father?""
Daniel shrugged.
"You didn't see what I saw.""
I stepped closer.
"Where is he?""
Neither man answered.
I raised my voice.
"WHERE IS MY FATHER?""
Richard calmly removed a document from his briefcase.
"Before we discuss that, I think you should understand your legal position.""
He placed the document on the table.
It was a medical guardianship application.
My name appeared at the top.
The document stated that I was incapable of managing my personal affairs because of severe cognitive impairment.
At the bottom was a signature.
Mine.
Except I had never signed it.
"What's this?""
"An application for temporary guardianship," Richard explained.
"Your wife and brother are concerned about your condition.""
I laughed.
"You're presenting a fraudulent medical document to me?""
"Be careful with accusations.""
Thomas stepped forward.
"Mr. Caldwell, I would advise you to stop speaking.""
Richard looked at him.
"And you are?""
"Thomas Reed. Private investigator.""
Richard smiled coldly.
"Then perhaps you should investigate your client's financial situation before pretending to be his lawyer.""
Thomas didn't react.
Instead, he took out his phone.
"I've already sent copies of these documents to the authorities.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"To whom?""
"That's not your concern.""
Richard stood.
"Daniel, I think we've heard enough.""
But I wasn't finished.
"One question.""
Richard looked at me.
"Where is my father?""
He stared at me for several seconds.
Then he leaned closer.
"Somewhere you should have looked three years ago.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
Richard picked up his briefcase.
"It means you have been grieving a man who may not have wanted to see you.""
Daniel moved toward the entrance.
"Let's go.""
I stepped into their path.
"You're not leaving.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"Move.""
"No.""
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then Daniel leaned close enough for me to smell his cologne.
"You really should have stayed in that wheelchair.""
Thomas immediately stepped between us.
Marcus appeared behind Daniel.
The two men exchanged a glance.
Finally, Richard spoke.
"Enough. We have nothing more to discuss.""
They walked toward the front door.
But before leaving, Richard turned around.
"Alexander, one final piece of advice.""
I said nothing.
"Stop searching for your father.""
He smiled.
"Some people are better off remaining dead.""
The door closed.
I stood in the middle of the living room.
My father might still be alive.
And the people who had destroyed my life had known it all along.
Thomas placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We need to move.""
"Why?""
"Because if Richard Caldwell is alive, then someone has been maintaining his false identity. And if your father survived, there's a chance they're keeping him somewhere.""
I looked toward the door.
"Find him.""
Thomas nodded.
"I will.""
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
One message.
*Your father is alive. But if you want to see him again, come alone.*
A location followed.
An abandoned rehabilitation facility outside Boston.
May you like
And underneath it, four words:
*Bring the original letter.*
