Chapter 10: The Music Box That Could Destroy Him
Thomas drove through the city with both hands gripping the steering wheel.
I sat in the back, staring at the photograph of the music box.
Daniel had sent it deliberately.
He wanted me to know he had found it.
He wanted me frightened.
And, judging by the message, he wanted me to believe I had no chance of surviving the next twelve hours.
But there was something Daniel had forgotten.
My mother had spent thirty years building her business.
She hadn't become wealthy by trusting people blindly.
And she certainly hadn't raised a daughter who would surrender everything because a man threatened her.
"Where exactly did Daniel take it?"" I asked.
Thomas glanced at me through the mirror.
"Your old house.""
I frowned.
"The house on Willow Creek?""
He nodded.
My mother had owned a beautiful Victorian property outside the city. After her death, Daniel had convinced me to sell it.
He said maintaining two homes was financially irresponsible.
I had agreed.
The house was eventually purchased by a property investment company.
I had never bothered to ask who owned the company.
Now I suspected I knew.
"Can we get inside?""
Thomas shook his head.
"Not legally without permission.""
"Then how do we get the evidence?""
"By making sure Daniel gives it to us.""
I stared at him.
"How?""
Thomas pulled into a gas station and parked beneath a light.
He took out his phone and made a call.
"Marcus, I need you to do something.""
He listened.
Then he said, "Check the property records for Willow Creek. I want the current ownership, the registered management company, and any recent transfers.""
He ended the call.
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
He answered.
Then he looked at me.
"Well, that's interesting.""
"What?""
"The house was purchased by Bennett Strategic Holdings.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Daniel had bought my mother's house using the company he had established with Vanessa.
The same company that had received money from my inheritance.
"Can we prove it?""
"Marcus is sending the records to Evelyn.""
Thomas started the engine.
"We're going there.""
When we arrived, the house looked almost exactly as I remembered.
White columns.
Dark green shutters.
A stone pathway leading to the front door.
The garden was overgrown, but the lights were on.
A black Mercedes sat in the driveway.
Daniel's car.
Thomas parked several houses away.
"Stay here.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"Nia.""
"That music box belonged to my mother. If it's inside, I'm going with you.""
He studied me.
Then he handed me a small flashlight.
"Stay behind me.""
We approached the house through the side garden.
The kitchen window was slightly open.
Thomas peered inside.
"Someone's here.""
I heard voices.
Daniel's voice.
And another man's.
Dr. Harris.
"Where did you put it?"" Daniel demanded.
"I told you, I haven't opened it.""
"Then open it.""
"I don't know what Margaret hid inside.""
"That's why I'm paying you.""
I looked at Thomas.
He gestured for silence.
We moved closer.
Through the kitchen doorway, I could see Daniel standing beside the dining table.
The music box was open.
Its tiny silver flowers reflected the overhead light.
Dr. Harris held a screwdriver.
Daniel paced behind him.
"There's something inside," Daniel said.
"I know it.""
Dr. Harris examined the box.
"Then perhaps you should have left it where it was.""
Daniel turned sharply.
"Are you questioning me?""
"I'm reminding you that Margaret was more careful than you think.""
Daniel slammed his hand against the table.
"Margaret is dead.""
The words struck me like a physical blow.
He continued.
"And once the court approves my authority tomorrow, the estate is mine to manage. No one will be able to touch me.""
Dr. Harris looked uncomfortable.
"You're assuming the judge will accept the medical report.""
Daniel laughed.
"I've already arranged that.""
My blood went cold.
"What does that mean?"" I whispered.
Thomas put a finger to his lips.
Inside, Dr. Harris finally removed a small panel from the bottom of the music box.
Something metallic fell onto the table.
A tiny silver key.
Daniel grabbed it.
"What's this?""
Dr. Harris examined the box again.
"There may be another compartment.""
Daniel lifted the music box and shook it.
A folded piece of paper slipped from beneath the velvet lining.
He opened it.
Then his face changed.
I couldn't see the writing.
But I saw his fingers begin to tremble.
"What does it say?"" Dr. Harris asked.
Daniel folded the paper.
"Nothing.""
"Daniel.""
"I said nothing.""
He shoved the music box into a leather bag.
Then he turned toward the kitchen.
Thomas grabbed my arm.
"Move.""
We retreated through the garden.
But as we reached the driveway, the front door opened.
"Thomas!""
Daniel's voice echoed across the property.
We stopped.
He stood beneath the porch light, holding the leather bag.
"Running away again?""
Thomas stepped in front of me.
"Leave her alone.""
Daniel laughed.
"You know, Thomas, I've always admired your loyalty. Even when it makes you stupid.""
He looked at me.
"Come inside, Nia. I have something to show you.""
"No.""
He reached into the bag and pulled out the folded paper.
"Your mother left you a message.""
My heart pounded.
"What does it say?""
Daniel smiled.
"That you're not the person you think you are.""
I stared at him.
He unfolded the paper.
Then he read aloud.
"The truth about your birth is hidden in the original trust. If you have found this letter, do not allow anyone to tell you who you are. Ask Evelyn about the hospital on May fourteenth."
I felt the ground shift beneath me.
My birth?
I looked at Thomas.
He seemed just as shocked.
Daniel folded the paper again.
"Interesting, isn't it?""
"What does it mean?""
He smiled.
"Perhaps you should ask your beloved attorney.""
Then he stepped backward into the house.
The door closed.
Thomas grabbed my arm.
"We're leaving. Now.""
As we drove away, I couldn't stop thinking about the letter.
The truth about your birth.
I had always believed I was Margaret and Robert Bennett's only biological child.
My father had died when I was young.
My mother had raised me alone for years before marrying again.
There had never been any suggestion that my birth was anything other than ordinary.
But May fourteenth.
I remembered that date.
It was my birthday.
I looked at Thomas.
"Did you know anything about this?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
"Do you think Evelyn knows?""
He didn't answer.
My phone rang.
Evelyn.
I answered immediately.
"Nia, where are you?""
"On our way back. Daniel has the music box.""
"Did you see what was inside?""
"Yes. There was a letter.""
"What did it say?""
I repeated the message.
Silence.
Then Evelyn spoke.
"Come to my office. There's something I should have told you years ago.""
My throat tightened.
"What?""
She took a breath.
"Your mother wasn't your biological mother.""
I stopped breathing.
And suddenly, Daniel's smile made sense.
May you like
He hadn't just found a way to take my inheritance.
He had found a secret that could destroy everything I believed about myself.
