Chapter 6: The Brother Who Wanted Everything
The first police officer arrived before we reached the elevator.
He was accompanied by a woman in a dark navy suit.
"Mr. Hayes?""
I stopped.
"Yes.""
"I'm Detective Laura Bennett. We need you to accompany us regarding a financial fraud investigation.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"He's represented by counsel. Any questions can be directed to me.""
Detective Bennett looked at her.
"Ms. Hayes, you're also named in the complaint.""
Margaret went still.
I glanced at the photograph on her computer.
The one showing her with Richard.
"What's the accusation?"" I asked.
The detective opened a folder.
"Misappropriation of company funds, falsification of financial records, and conspiracy to defraud shareholders.""
I almost laughed.
"That's impressive. How much did I supposedly steal?""
"Eight million, seven hundred thousand dollars.""
"Exactly.""
The detective raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly?""
"That's the amount someone has been trying to pin on me.""
She studied my face.
"Do you have evidence supporting that claim?""
I looked at Margaret.
"Yes. A lot.""
The detective nodded toward the elevator.
"Then let's discuss it somewhere official.""
Margaret touched my arm.
"Don't say anything until we've reviewed the complaint.""
I nodded.
But before we could move, the elevator doors opened.
Adrian Coleman stepped out.
He wore a charcoal suit, a white shirt, and an expensive watch.
He looked like a man who had never been told no.
"Ethan.""
His voice carried down the hallway.
"Quite a morning, isn't it?""
I stared at him.
"Adrian.""
He glanced at the detectives.
"Thank you for coming so quickly.""
I understood.
He had arranged this.
Adrian walked closer.
"Listen, Ethan. This doesn't have to become ugly.""
I gave him a cold look.
"You filed a criminal complaint against me.""
"I didn't have a choice. The shareholders deserve answers.""
"Then explain why your name appears on the accounts that received the missing money.""
His smile disappeared.
"Be careful.""
"Why? Are we family?""
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Then he laughed.
"I suppose you've seen the paperwork.""
I stepped toward him.
"Is Richard your father?""
Adrian glanced at the detective.
Then he leaned closer.
"He's my father. And apparently, yours too.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Does he know you forged my signature?""
Adrian straightened his jacket.
"You're confused, Ethan. The documents speak for themselves.""
He handed the detective a folder.
"Everything you need is in there.""
I watched him walk toward the conference room.
Then Detective Bennett turned to me.
"Mr. Hayes, I suggest you come with us.""
I nodded.
But before we left, my phone vibrated.
A message from Tiana.
I'm at the address. Please hurry.
A second message appeared.
Ethan, don't come alone.
I showed Margaret.
She looked alarmed.
"That's a trap.""
"Maybe.""
"Ethan, listen to me. Richard has spent years preparing this. He knows how to make people disappear from the evidence.""
I looked toward the elevator.
"Then we need someone who knows where the evidence is.""
I turned to Detective Bennett.
"Can you give us thirty minutes?""
She frowned.
"That's not how this works.""
"I can provide information about the missing funds, the forged documents, and the people responsible.""
She studied me.
"Why should I believe you?""
I opened the photograph of Tiana and Richard.
"Because one of the people involved is ready to cooperate.""
Detective Bennett looked at the screen.
Then she nodded.
"One hour. But I'm sending officers with you.""
The address Tiana had given me was a small commercial building on the edge of the city.
We arrived at 10:03.
A gray SUV was parked outside.
Margaret stayed beside the officers while I approached the entrance.
The door was unlocked.
Inside, the hallway smelled of dust and old carpet.
"Tiana?""
A door opened at the end.
She appeared wearing jeans and a black sweater.
Her eyes were red.
When she saw me, she took a step forward.
Then she noticed Margaret.
Her expression changed.
"Why is she here?""
"Because she's my attorney.""
Tiana looked at me.
"Ethan, I need to talk to you alone.""
"No.""
She swallowed.
"Please.""
I remained where I was.
"Show me the recording.""
She reached into her handbag and removed a small digital recorder.
"I made this last night.""
She pressed play.
Richard's voice emerged.
"Once Ethan signs the transfer, the trust will be under Adrian's control.""
Adrian answered.
"And the money?""
"Already moved.""
"What about Tiana?""
Richard chuckled.
"She'll do what she's told.""
Tiana looked at me.
I kept listening.
Adrian spoke again.
"And if she decides to tell him?""
Richard's voice became colder.
"Then she goes to prison with him.""
The recording ended.
I stared at Tiana.
"Why didn't you come forward earlier?""
She lowered her eyes.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of prison?""
"Of Richard.""
"You helped him steal from my family.""
"I know.""
"You tried to get me to sign those documents.""
"I know.""
"You lied to me for two years.""
Her eyes filled.
"I know, Ethan.""
I turned away.
She grabbed my sleeve.
"Please. Just listen.""
I looked down at her hand.
She immediately released me.
"Richard has something else," she said.
"What?""
"Your father's original will.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"That's impossible. The original is held in a secure archive.""
"Not anymore.""
Tiana opened her handbag again.
She removed a photograph.
It showed Richard standing inside a private office.
Behind him was a large wooden desk.
On the desk sat a document folder.
The label was visible.
*Daniel Hayes — Final Testament.*
Margaret examined it.
"Where did you get this?""
"Adrian sent it to Richard last week.""
"Why?""
Tiana looked at me.
"Because the original will contains something Richard doesn't want you to see.""
I stepped closer.
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Your father left you a letter.""
"Another letter?""
"Yes. But this one names the person who actually stole the money.""
Margaret took the photograph.
"Who?""
Tiana looked directly at me.
"Your father knew Richard was involved. But he also knew someone else inside the family was helping him.""
I felt the room grow colder.
"Who?""
She reached for the recorder again.
"Listen to the last part.""
I pressed play.
There was static.
Then my father's voice.
Older. Weaker.
But unmistakable.
"If you're hearing this, it means the person I trusted most has betrayed us.""
A pause.
Then he said a name.
Not Richard.
Not Adrian.
Not Tiana.
*"Margaret.""*
I slowly turned toward my attorney.
She looked as if someone had struck her.
"That's impossible," she whispered.
The recording continued.
"Margaret knows where the original ledger is. She knows what happened the night I died. And if she has told Ethan that I left him everything, she hasn't told him the most important part.""
The recording stopped.
Nobody moved.
I looked at Margaret.
"Tell me he's wrong.""
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
"Margaret?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
"Your father didn't die of a heart attack.""
I stepped backward.
"What?""
She covered her mouth.
"I was there.""
The detective moved closer.
"What are you saying, Ms. Hayes?""
Margaret looked at me.
"I was the last person to see Daniel alive.""
My voice dropped.
"Why?""
She reached into her coat pocket and removed a small brass key.
It was old, scratched, and familiar.
I recognized it immediately.
It belonged to my father's private study.
Margaret placed it in my palm.
"Because your father asked me to destroy the evidence.""
I stared at her.
"What evidence?""
She looked toward the door.
"The evidence that would have put his own wife in prison.""
My blood ran cold.
"You're talking about my mother?""
Margaret nodded.
May you like
Then she said the words I had never expected to hear.
"Your mother didn't just know Richard was your biological father, Ethan. She was the person who helped him steal the money.""
