Chapter 8: The Name Written on the Birth Certificate
Malcolm stared at the document.
His mother's signature appeared at the bottom, unmistakable even after years of separation from the woman who had written it.
Above it was the name that had turned his world upside down.
Danielle Patricia Bennett.
“Explain,” Malcolm said.
Danielle swallowed hard.
“I wanted to tell you.””
“When?””
“Not like this.””
“When, Danielle?””
Richard pulled a chair away from the desk and sat down as if he were hosting an ordinary business meeting.
“She has had three years, Mr. Bennett. Three years of living under your roof, caring for your son, and pretending to be someone else.””
“Shut up,” Malcolm snapped.
Richard raised his eyebrows.
“Still defending her. How touching.””
Malcolm moved toward Danielle and examined the ropes around her wrists.
“Did he hurt you?””
“No.””
“Did he threaten you?””
Danielle hesitated.
Richard answered for her.
“I merely asked for something that belongs to me.””
“Nothing belonging to you gives you the right to tie up another person.””
Malcolm pulled a small pocketknife from his key ring and cut the rope.
Danielle rubbed her wrists.
“I didn't come here to hurt your family,” she whispered.
“Then tell me why my mother's name is on this document.””
Danielle looked at the paper.
“Because Patricia was my mother, too.””
The room went silent.
Malcolm stepped backward.
“No.””
Danielle's eyes filled with tears.
“I know what it sounds like.””
“My mother had one child.””
“That's what you were told.””
Malcolm shook his head.
“My father died when I was young. My mother raised me alone. I knew every story about her life.””
“Every story she chose to tell you.””
“Stop saying that!””
His voice cracked against the high ceiling.
Danielle lowered her head.
Richard watched with visible satisfaction.
“Your mother had a daughter before you were born,” he explained.
“A daughter she placed with another family. She kept the arrangement secret to protect her reputation and her inheritance.””
Malcolm turned toward him.
“And you know this because?””
“Because I handled the legal documents.””
Richard opened a leather folder and removed another sheet.
“This is a copy of the original birth registration. The child was born eighteen months before you.””
Malcolm barely glanced at it.
“Why would I believe anything you show me?””
“Because I have the originals.””
Richard tapped the folder.
“And because your mother left instructions concerning her estate that you have never seen.””
Danielle stood unsteadily.
“Malcolm, I didn't know who you were when I first saw your family name.””
He stared at her.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Yes.””
“You applied to work in my house.””
“I applied to work for your family because Patricia asked me to find out whether you were safe.””
“Where is she?””
Danielle's lips trembled.
“I don't know.””
Richard laughed.
“She knows more than she's admitting.””
Danielle turned on him.
“You told her you would protect her!””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Be careful.””
“You promised Patricia that Malcolm would never be involved.””
“And I kept that promise until you brought your little investigation into my office.””
Malcolm looked between them.
“What investigation?””
Danielle drew a shaky breath.
“Three years ago, I found a series of financial transfers connected to the estate. Someone had been moving money out of Patricia's accounts after she disappeared.””
“Richard?””
“He was responsible for the legal paperwork. I couldn't prove he was the one taking the money, but every trail ended at his office.””
Richard rose from his chair.
“You have no evidence.””
“Not yet,” Danielle replied.
His eyes narrowed.
Malcolm stepped between them.
“What does the nursery camera have to do with any of this?””
Danielle looked at the desk.
“Patricia hid something in the nursery before she disappeared. She believed someone had been entering the mansion at night, looking for it.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't know whether you were involved.””
Malcolm stared at her.
“You lived in my home.””
“I know.””
“You cared for my son.””
“I love Eli.””
“Then why keep this from me?””
Danielle's tears finally spilled over.
“Because Patricia told me that the person who betrayed her would use you to get to me. She said that if I revealed who I was, you would become a target.””
Malcolm looked away.
For three years, Danielle had been there when he came home exhausted, when Eli refused to sleep, and when Naomi insisted that their family was perfectly happy.
She had watched him live a life built on secrets.
And she had known more about his mother than he did.
Richard closed the folder.
“This is a touching reunion, but we have business to finish.””
Malcolm turned.
“What business?””
Richard pointed toward Danielle.
“She has something that belongs to me. A key.””
Malcolm felt the tiny brass key in his pocket.
“The serpent key?””
Richard's face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“Where did you get that?””
Malcolm smiled without humor.
“So it does belong to you.””
Richard took a step forward.
“Give it to me.””
“No.””
“You don't understand what you're interfering with.””
“Then explain it.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“The key opens a safe deposit box containing documents that could destroy everything your mother built.””
Danielle shook her head.
“That's not what Patricia told me.””
Richard rounded on her.
“Your mother was a liar.””
Danielle recoiled.
Malcolm moved between them again.
“Say another word to her like that, and you'll answer for it.””
Richard gave a short, humorless laugh.
“You think you can threaten me? Your mother's estate, your company, the house you live in—all of it is tied to documents I control.””
He pulled a final sheet from the folder.
“Your mother signed away control of her inheritance before she disappeared. If that agreement is valid, you could lose everything.””
Malcolm glanced at the paper.
There was his mother's signature again.
But something was wrong.
The date.
It was dated three days after the funeral.
Malcolm stared at it.
“My mother was dead when this was signed.””
Richard said nothing.
“You just told me she signed it.””
“I said the document bears her signature.””
Malcolm looked up slowly.
“You forged it.””
Richard's face hardened.
“Prove it.””
Danielle reached into the pocket of her uniform and pulled out a small folded photograph.
“I can.””
Richard lunged.
Malcolm caught his arm.
The two men crashed against the desk, sending papers scattering across the floor.
“Run!”” Malcolm shouted.
Danielle grabbed the photograph and hurried toward the door.
Richard tore free and reached for her.
Malcolm shoved him back.
“Don't touch her!””
Danielle stopped in the doorway.
“Malcolm, the photograph isn't proof of the forgery.””
“Then what is it?””
She unfolded it.
The picture showed Patricia standing outside a hospital, holding a newborn baby.
Beside her stood a younger Richard Cole.
And behind them, partially obscured by the hospital entrance, was a woman wearing a beige dress.
Naomi.
On the back, Patricia had written a single sentence.
The person who knows where I am has been living with my son all along.
Malcolm stared at the handwriting.
Then he looked at Danielle.
“You said you didn't know where she was.””
“I don't.””
Richard suddenly stopped struggling.
A strange expression crossed his face.
Not fear.
Recognition.
He looked at the photograph and whispered, “She found the letter.””
Malcolm turned toward him.
“What letter?””
Richard's mouth snapped shut.
From somewhere outside the estate came the sound of a car door slamming.
Then another.
Danielle rushed to the window.
Three black vehicles were approaching the house.
Malcolm recognized the lead vehicle.
It belonged to Naomi.
She had brought someone with her.
Someone stepping out of the passenger seat with silver hair and pearl earrings.
Danielle's knees nearly buckled.
“Patricia,” she whispered.
May you like
The woman looked up toward the window.
And smiled.
