Chapter 7: The Second Envelope
For eight years, I had believed my father died peacefully in his sleep.
Now my mother was telling me that his death might have been connected to a financial crime.
I stared at her, waiting for her to take it back.
She didn't.
"Mom, what do you mean Dad didn't die because of his heart condition?""
My mother wiped her cheek.
"Your father discovered that Richard was moving money out of the company. At first, he thought it was a bookkeeping mistake. Then he found transfers to accounts that didn't exist.""
"Why didn't he report him?""
"He wanted proof. He told me he wouldn't destroy another man's life without knowing everything.""
I shook my head.
"Richard was his best friend.""
"That's what made it so difficult.""
Lily sat quietly beside the bed.
"Grandma, did Grandpa know he was going to die?""
My mother reached for her hand.
"No, sweetheart. He didn't know. But he was frightened.""
I looked toward the wooden clock.
"Where is the other envelope?""
My mother pointed weakly toward the back of the wardrobe.
"Behind the panel.""
I crossed the room and opened the wardrobe.
Inside were several old coats, my father's winter jacket, and a small wooden box.
I moved the coats aside.
There was a thin panel at the back.
I pressed it.
Nothing happened.
Then I remembered something my father used to do when he wanted to open hidden compartments in his workshop.
He would tap the wood twice near the upper corner.
I tried it.
A small section shifted.
Behind it was a dark cavity.
And inside that cavity sat a brown envelope.
My name was written across it.
*Marcus Reed.*
I removed it carefully.
The envelope was sealed with an old strip of tape. My father's handwriting looked exactly as I remembered.
I opened it.
Inside was a small USB drive, several photocopied bank statements, and a handwritten letter.
I unfolded the letter.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
Richard has been stealing from the company.
I discovered that he created several false vendor accounts and transferred money into them. The total amount is larger than I can explain in one letter.
Daniel knows something is wrong, but I don't believe he understands the full extent of it.
I have tried to protect him. Perhaps that has been my greatest mistake.
I stopped reading.
My mother lowered her head.
"Your father loved Daniel," she whispered.
"He always believed your brother could change.""
I continued.
There is one thing you must understand. Richard is not working alone.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
Someone inside our family has been giving him information.
I looked up.
"Mom?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know who.""
I continued reading.
I have kept copies of the original transactions on the USB drive. I also recorded a conversation with Richard. If anything happens to me, take these materials to someone outside the company.
Do not trust anyone who offers to settle this privately.
And Marcus, whatever happens, protect Lily.
The letter ended with a sentence that made my chest ache.
Your father should have done a better job protecting his family.
I lowered the paper.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
My father had been carrying this secret alone.
And somehow, eight years later, the same people were threatening his granddaughter.
I put the USB drive in my pocket.
My phone rang.
Robert.
"Marcus, where are you?""
"At Mom's house.""
"Good. Don't leave the evidence unattended.""
"I found something.""
"What?""
"A USB drive and original financial records from my father's company.""
Robert went silent.
Then he said, "Bring them to me immediately.""
"Why?""
"Because I've just received a call from the bank.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What happened?""
"Someone attempted to access the frozen trust account.""
"Vanessa?""
"No. The request came from someone claiming to represent the estate.""
"Who?""
Robert lowered his voice.
"Richard Collins.""
I looked at my mother.
Her eyes were fixed on me.
"He's involved," I whispered.
Robert continued.
"Marcus, there's something else. Your brother has filed an emergency petition claiming your mother is no longer mentally competent to manage her affairs.""
I closed my eyes.
"Can he do that?""
"He can file it. Whether it succeeds is another matter.""
"How quickly?""
"He's requesting an emergency hearing tomorrow morning.""
I stared at the documents.
Tomorrow.
They were moving faster than I had expected.
"Robert, I need to ask you something. Can they force Mom into another medical evaluation?""
"If the court grants the request, potentially.""
I looked at my mother.
She was weak, but her eyes were clear.
"Then I need to make sure the judge sees the truth.""
"Bring everything you have.""
The call ended.
I turned toward Lily.
"Sweetheart, I need you to stay with Aunt Grace tonight.""
"Why?""
"Because things might get difficult tomorrow.""
She shook her head.
"I don't want to leave Grandma.""
My mother reached for her hand.
"Go with your aunt, darling. Your father needs to take care of something.""
Lily reluctantly nodded.
As I helped her gather her things, she looked at the USB drive in my hand.
"Is that what Grandpa left?""
"Yes.""
She hesitated.
"Does it prove Uncle Daniel did something bad?""
"I don't know yet.""
She looked down.
"Grandpa used to tell me Uncle Daniel was just lost. He said people sometimes make mistakes.""
I knelt.
"Your grandfather believed in giving people chances.""
"Should we give Uncle Daniel another chance?""
I looked at my daughter.
"Not until he tells the truth.""
Just then, a loud knock shook the front door.
Patricia hurried into the hallway.
"Marcus, there's someone outside.""
I opened the door.
Richard Collins stood on the porch.
His silver hair was neatly combed, and his expensive coat looked untouched by the rain.
He smiled as though we were meeting for lunch.
"Marcus. It's been a long time.""
I didn't move.
"What do you want?""
He glanced over my shoulder.
"I heard your mother wasn't feeling well.""
"She's resting.""
"I'd like to see her.""
"Not today.""
His smile disappeared.
"Your father would have wanted me here.""
I stepped closer.
"Don't use my father to get through that door.""
Richard's eyes moved to the envelope in my hand.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Then he smiled again.
"Ah. So you've found it.""
My blood went cold.
"Found what?""
He adjusted his cuff.
"The things your father should have destroyed.""
I tightened my grip on the envelope.
Richard leaned closer.
"Listen carefully, Marcus. Your brother is already in trouble. Your wife is already in trouble. Don't make the mistake of joining them.""
"Are you threatening me?""
"No.""
He looked directly into my eyes.
"I'm offering you one last opportunity to protect your daughter.""
Then he walked back toward his car.
Before getting inside, he turned.
"And Marcus?""
"What?""
"Ask your mother what happened to the original recording.""
He drove away.
I closed the door.
Then I looked at my mother.
She was crying.
"Mom, what recording?""
She covered her mouth.
May you like
And whispered:
"The recording of your father's final conversation.""
