Chapter 10: The Grandfather's Impossible Claim
"He's claiming that he is her biological father.""
Detective Harris's words seemed to drain the warmth from the room.
I looked down at Sophie.
She was still asleep, one tiny hand wrapped around Mr. Buttons.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
"Her birth certificate names Daniel.""
"Arthur has submitted a separate set of documents claiming Daniel's paternity was falsified.""
Eleanor stood abruptly.
"He's lying!""
Detective Harris remained calm.
"We haven't accepted his claim. But his attorney has filed an emergency petition, and we need to investigate the documents.""
I turned toward Margaret.
"Can he take Sophie?""
"Not without a court reviewing the evidence," she answered.
"And we'll challenge the petition immediately.""
I looked at Sophie again.
Four years old.
Already caught in a battle she couldn't possibly understand.
I had spent six years believing Richard was the most dangerous person in my life.
Now I was beginning to understand that he might only have been following someone else's instructions.
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
You should have stayed away from Sophie.
Another message appeared.
Arthur is coming for what belongs to him.
I showed Detective Harris.
He photographed the screen.
"Don't respond.""
Then he looked at Eleanor.
"Mrs. Hayes, I need you to tell me everything you remember about Arthur and Daniel's relationship.""
Eleanor sat slowly.
"They were business partners before Daniel married me. Arthur introduced Daniel to several investors. He also helped him purchase properties.""
"And Patricia?""
"She was Arthur's daughter. He controlled every aspect of her life.""
"Did Arthur ever threaten Daniel?""
Eleanor looked down.
"Yes.""
"When?""
"Shortly before my disappearance.""
She took a breath.
"Daniel discovered that money was being transferred out of the family companies. He confronted Arthur. After that, Arthur began threatening to take everything away from him.""
"What happened next?""
"Daniel told me he had found evidence of fraud. He said he was going to meet a lawyer.""
Eleanor's voice trembled.
"Two days later, he was in a car accident.""
I leaned forward.
"Was Richard involved?""
"I don't know.""
"But he signed Sophie's custody papers.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Richard was Arthur's favorite. He treated him like the son he never had.""
I felt sick.
"Why would Richard marry me?""
Margaret answered.
"Because your trust contained assets that Arthur couldn't access directly.""
I stared at her.
"How much?""
"Your biological mother's family transferred several properties into a protected trust. Daniel was named as trustee. After his death, you became the primary beneficiary.""
"Then Richard married me to get the properties?""
"Possibly. But there's another complication.""
She opened her laptop.
"Your marriage agreement included a financial clause. If you remained married for seven years, Richard would become eligible to manage certain assets on your behalf.""
I frowned.
"Seven years?""
"You're six years and two months into the marriage.""
The room went silent.
Richard had been counting down.
Six years of insults.
Six years of isolation.
Six years of convincing me that I was unstable.
Perhaps he hadn't simply been trying to break my confidence.
Perhaps he had been trying to make me surrender control before the seventh anniversary.
I looked at Eleanor.
"Did Daniel know?""
She nodded slowly.
"He suspected Arthur would use marriage to get access to the trust. That's why he left instructions with Margaret's predecessor.""
Margaret looked uncomfortable.
"What instructions?""
Eleanor reached for my hand.
"He wanted you to receive everything only after you were old enough to make your own decisions.""
I swallowed.
"Then why did Richard have access to our finances?""
"Because Patricia signed documents she had no authority to sign," Margaret replied.
My phone vibrated again.
This time, it was Richard.
I answered.
"Hello?""
His voice sounded strangely relaxed.
"Emily. We need to stop this.""
"You mean you need me to stop asking questions.""
"You're getting involved in things you don't understand.""
"I understand that you lied to me for six years.""
"Your mother lied. Arthur lied. Eleanor lied. Everybody has been lying.""
"And you?""
He laughed.
"I did what I had to do.""
I gripped the phone.
"Did you know Sophie was my sister?""
"Yes.""
The answer came so easily that I almost dropped the phone.
"How long?""
"Since before I married you.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why did you hide her?""
"Because she was safer away from your family.""
"From me?""
"From Arthur.""
I looked at Edward.
He was listening.
Richard continued.
"Come home, Emily. We'll sort this out privately. I'll even let you see Sophie whenever you want.""
"She's not yours to give.""
His voice hardened.
"Don't forget who controls your life.""
I almost laughed.
"You don't control anything anymore.""
He went silent.
Then he whispered:
"Your father said exactly the same thing.""
My blood turned cold.
"What did you just say?""
The call ended.
I looked at Detective Harris.
"He just admitted knowing about Sophie before we married.""
Harris nodded.
"We'll add that to the report.""
Then a nurse appeared at the doorway.
"Mrs. Bennett? Sophie is awake. She's asking for you.""
I went to her immediately.
She sat on the bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Are we going home?""
I sat beside her.
"Not just yet, sweetheart.""
"Why?""
"Because some grown-ups have to answer some questions.""
She looked at me for a moment.
Then she whispered:
"Is my real mommy coming?""
I took her hand.
"We're going to find her.""
Sophie nodded.
Then she reached into her little backpack and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Daddy told me to keep this.""
I unfolded it.
It was a photograph.
A younger Richard stood beside Arthur.
Between them was a little girl.
Patricia.
On the back, someone had written:
The three people who know what happened to Daniel.
But there was something else.
A date.
The day before Daniel's fatal accident.
May you like
And beneath it, in Richard's handwriting, were four words.
Make sure he never talks.
