Chapter 7: The Stranger Who Had Been Watching My Son
I stared at the photograph until my eyes began to hurt.
Noah stood outside his school wearing his red backpack. Beside him was a tall man in a dark coat, one hand resting on Noah's shoulder.
The man was smiling.
Noah wasn't.
I zoomed in.
The photograph had been taken recently. The trees behind them were already losing their leaves, and the school's autumn decorations were visible through the windows.
Someone had been watching my son.
Someone had approached him.
And someone had thought it was acceptable to send that photograph to my family as a threat.
I turned to Lily.
"Where did this message come from?""
"Mom's tablet. It was already open when I picked it up.""
"Did you see who sent it?""
She shook her head.
"Please don't tell Mom I showed you.""
I crouched in front of her.
"Why would you be afraid to tell me?""
Lily's eyes filled.
"Because she said if I ever told you about the money, Carter and I would have to leave.""
My chest tightened.
"She told you that?""
Lily nodded.
"She said you wouldn't want us anymore if you knew what happened.""
I gently took her hands.
"Listen to me. None of this is your fault. You and Carter are children. The adults are responsible for what they've done.""
She started crying.
I pulled her into a hug.
When I returned downstairs, Vanessa was standing beside the dining table.
Patricia had the flash drive in her hand.
"Where is the tablet?"" Vanessa demanded.
I placed it on the table.
"Who is that man?""
Vanessa looked at the photograph.
Her expression changed immediately.
I recognized the fear.
"Who is he?""
She sat down.
"His name is Adrian Cole.""
"How does he know Noah?""
She rubbed her forehead.
"He's a financial adviser.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"A financial adviser who takes photographs with my eight-year-old son outside school?""
"He was helping your mother manage the trust.""
"Why is he approaching Noah?""
"He wasn't supposed to.""
I stared at her.
"What does that mean?""
Vanessa looked toward Patricia.
Then she whispered, "Adrian was the person who arranged the second account.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Is that where the money went?""
"Some of it.""
"How much?""
She didn't answer.
"Vanessa, I want a number.""
"Three million, eight hundred and fifty thousand.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"All of it?""
"Almost.""
"Almost?""
She swallowed.
"There was another transfer.""
Patricia stepped forward.
"How much?""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"One hundred and fifty thousand.""
I stared at her.
"So four million dollars disappeared from a trust belonging to my son?""
"It wasn't stolen!""
"Then why is it in an account under your name?""
"Because your mother wanted it protected!""
"Protected from whom?""
Vanessa finally looked at me.
"From Emily.""
I shook my head.
"Emily was Noah's mother. She was supposed to protect his inheritance.""
"Your mother didn't think she would.""
"My mother is dead. You don't get to use her name every time you need an excuse.""
Vanessa began crying.
I picked up the tablet.
"Give me Adrian's number.""
"I don't have it.""
"Then find it.""
She hesitated.
I leaned closer.
"Someone has been following my child. I am not asking twice.""
Vanessa unlocked her phone and searched through her contacts.
A name appeared.
Adrian Cole.
I copied the number and called.
He answered almost immediately.
"Vanessa?""
"No. This is Marcus.""
Silence.
Then a polite male voice.
"Mr. Hayes. I was wondering when we'd speak.""
My stomach turned.
"You know who I am.""
"Of course.""
"Why were you photographed with my son?""
"I wasn't aware the photograph would upset you.""
"That wasn't my question.""
He sighed.
"Your mother asked me to make sure Noah was doing well.""
"By following him to school?""
"By checking on his welfare.""
"You're a financial adviser, not a child welfare officer.""
A pause.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Your mother and I had an arrangement. It predates your marriage to Vanessa.""
I looked at my wife.
"What arrangement?""
"She wanted Noah's inheritance preserved until he turned twenty-one. Unfortunately, your former wife has been attempting to gain access to the funds.""
"Emily has legal rights as his mother.""
"Not according to the documents I possess.""
Patricia stepped closer.
"Ask him who authorized the transfers," she whispered.
I repeated the question.
Adrian chuckled.
"Mrs. Reed.""
"Vanessa?""
"No. Margaret Hayes.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"She's dead.""
"I am aware.""
"Then how did the money move three days before she died?""
Adrian paused.
"Because your mother signed the necessary instructions before entering the hospital.""
I looked at the date.
Three days before her death.
My mother had been seriously ill by then.
"Did she sign them herself?""
"Yes.""
"Who witnessed the signature?""
He hesitated.
Then he said:
"Your wife.""
I slowly turned toward Vanessa.
She had gone pale.
"Did you witness my mother's signature?""
She whispered, "Yes.""
I returned to the call.
"Mr. Cole, I want every document relating to my son's trust.""
"That will be difficult.""
"Why?""
"Because the trust has already been transferred.""
"Transferred where?""
He lowered his voice.
"To an offshore holding company.""
I gripped the phone.
"Which company?""
"Hayes Family Holdings.""
I had never heard of it.
But Patricia suddenly looked alarmed.
She grabbed my arm.
"Marcus, don't let him hang up.""
I put the call on speaker.
Patricia leaned toward the phone.
"Adrian, this is Patricia Collins. I have the original hospital records and Margaret's audio recording.""
Silence.
Then Adrian's voice changed.
"Mrs. Collins, you should not have involved yourself.""
"Neither should you.""
"You don't understand the legal structure.""
"I understand that the trust's beneficiary is a minor child.""
Adrian laughed quietly.
"Then perhaps you should explain to Marcus why the beneficiary's name was changed.""
I froze.
"What?""
Adrian continued.
"The trust was amended three days before Margaret died. Noah is no longer the sole beneficiary.""
My mouth went dry.
"Who else is listed?""
He answered without hesitation.
"Another child.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She began shaking her head.
"Who?"" I demanded.
Adrian paused.
Then he said:
"Vanessa Reed's son.""
The call disconnected.
I stared at the phone.
Vanessa slowly sat down.
"Marcus, I can explain.""
I looked at her.
"You have a son?""
She started crying.
"Yes.""
I couldn't speak.
She had told me she had two children from her previous marriage.
Lily and Carter.
There had never been a third child.
"Where is he?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"He doesn't live with us.""
"What's his name?""
She covered her face.
"His name is Ethan.""
I looked toward the stairs.
Carter was standing there now.
His eyes were wide.
"Mom?"" he whispered.
Vanessa looked up.
Carter's voice trembled.
"Is Ethan the brother you told us died?""
Nobody moved.
Then Carter slowly stepped backward.
May you like
And he said:
"You told me he was dead.""
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