Chapter 11: The Woman Who Knew My Real Name
Richard's threat followed us home.
For the first time since I had met Alexander, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.
Not fear for his reputation.
Not fear for the family company.
Fear of what his father might have done.
"He's bluffing," Alexander said.
We were standing in his study.
The original letters were spread across the desk.
"He doesn't have anything that could destroy us.""
I looked at him.
"Then why are you worried?""
Alexander rubbed his forehead.
"Because I know my father wasn't the man everyone believed he was.""
I sat opposite him.
"Tell me.""
He hesitated.
"When I was twelve, my father died in what the police called an accident. His car went off a bridge during a storm.""
I nodded.
"I remember you telling me.""
"What I never told you was that the night before he died, he had an argument with my grandfather.""
"About Margaret?""
"Probably. I was young. I heard shouting from the study.""
Alexander looked at the letters.
"My father said something about a daughter. My grandfather told him that if he contacted her, he would lose everything.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Did you know he meant me?""
"No.""
He stared at the photograph of Daniel.
"I thought he was talking about another woman.""
I reached across the desk.
"Alex, what are you afraid Richard will reveal?""
Alexander took a long breath.
"That my father wasn't killed in an accident.""
I went still.
"What?""
"After he died, my grandfather paid for an independent investigation. The report was sealed. I found it years later, but several pages were missing.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I never found evidence of anything.""
He opened a drawer and removed a thin folder.
Inside was a copy of the police report.
One paragraph had been highlighted.
Vehicle recovered from river. Brake system showed signs of possible mechanical interference. No definitive conclusion reached.
I read it twice.
"Someone may have tampered with his brakes.""
Alexander nodded.
"And Richard knew my father.""
I looked at him.
"Are you saying Richard might have been involved?""
"I'm saying he may know more than he's admitting.""
The next morning, Mr. Bennett arranged a meeting with Victoria Whitmore.
She agreed to meet us at her home in Connecticut.
When we arrived, a housekeeper led us into an elegant living room filled with antique furniture.
Victoria sat near the window.
She was in her late sixties, dressed in a cream suit, with perfectly styled silver-blonde hair.
Her eyes moved from Alexander to me.
Then she smiled.
"So you're Claire.""
I didn't return the smile.
"You knew about me.""
Victoria folded her hands.
"I knew there was a child.""
"That's not what I asked.""
She studied me.
"Yes. I knew about you.""
Alexander stepped forward.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your father asked me not to.""
"He was dead when I was twelve.""
"Your grandfather was still alive.""
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"That's not an answer.""
Victoria sighed.
"Daniel made mistakes. He was involved with Margaret Collins before he married me. When she became pregnant, he promised to take responsibility.""
I looked at her.
"Did you know I was his daughter?""
"Eventually.""
"When?""
"Shortly after Daniel died.""
"Why didn't you contact me?""
Victoria looked toward the window.
"Because I didn't want another woman entering my family.""
The honesty was breathtaking.
I stared at her.
"You mean you didn't want me.""
"I didn't know you.""
"Neither did my biological father.""
Victoria looked uncomfortable.
Alexander sat beside me.
"What did Richard want from you?""
Her expression changed.
"Money.""
"How much?""
"Three million dollars.""
I leaned forward.
"Why?""
"He claimed Margaret had stolen money from him. He said he had evidence that the Collins trust had been established through fraudulent business dealings.""
I almost laughed.
"That sounds familiar.""
Victoria opened a small drawer.
She removed a photograph and placed it on the table.
It showed Richard standing beside Daniel outside a restaurant.
The date on the back was twenty-five years earlier.
"Your father and Richard were business partners," she explained.
"They had a falling-out after Margaret became pregnant.""
Alexander examined the photograph.
"Why?""
Victoria hesitated.
"Because Daniel wanted to leave his marriage and acknowledge his daughter.""
I looked at her.
"And you stopped him?""
She met my eyes.
"I told him I would take Alexander and leave.""
Alexander went still.
Victoria continued.
"Your father chose his family.""
I swallowed.
"Then what happened?""
"Margaret died. Daniel became depressed. He started drinking. Richard appeared again, claiming he could help settle the inheritance dispute.""
Alexander looked at her.
"Did you trust him?""
"No.""
"Then why work with him?""
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"Because I wanted to know whether Daniel had left another child.""
I stared.
"You were trying to find me.""
"Yes.""
"To give me my inheritance?""
She looked away.
"Not exactly.""
"What does that mean?""
Victoria took another envelope from the drawer.
Inside was a document showing a proposed transfer of the Collins trust into a private Whitmore family foundation.
My name appeared as the beneficiary.
But the foundation's trustees were Victoria and Richard Carter.
I felt sick.
"You wanted control of my money.""
Victoria didn't deny it.
"Your grandfather believed the Whitmore family had invested enough in Margaret's business to deserve a share.""
"That money belonged to me.""
"That money belonged to the Collins family.""
"And I am Margaret's daughter.""
Victoria's face hardened.
"Biologically, perhaps.""
I stood.
"Get out of my way.""
Alexander rose too.
"Claire.""
"No, Alex. I've heard enough.""
Victoria watched us approach the door.
Then she spoke.
"Wait.""
I stopped.
She opened another drawer and removed a small photograph.
It showed Daniel holding a newborn baby.
On the back was a handwritten note.
My little girl. I will find a way to bring you home.
I felt tears sting my eyes.
Victoria spoke quietly.
"Daniel wanted to meet you. He intended to contact you the week he died.""
I looked at her.
"Why didn't he?""
She hesitated.
"Because he received a letter from Richard.""
"What did it say?""
Victoria handed me the final document.
It was a photocopy of a letter.
Daniel,
If you contact Claire, I will tell Eleanor what happened the night Margaret died.
I will also tell your wife what you did with the money.
Stay away from the child.
I looked at the signature.
Richard Carter.
Alexander took the letter.
"What happened the night Margaret died?""
Victoria's face became pale.
She whispered:
"Richard was at the hospital.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because Margaret had told him she was going to expose everything.""
"Expose what?""
Victoria looked at me.
Then she said something that made the room feel freezing.
"Margaret didn't die from childbirth complications.""
I gripped the back of a chair.
"What?""
"She was recovering when someone entered her hospital room.""
Alexander stepped closer.
"Who?""
Victoria looked toward the hallway.
Then back at us.
"Richard.""
We left Victoria's house with copies of the letters and photographs.
Neither of us spoke until we reached the car.
I sat in the passenger seat, holding the picture of Daniel.
For thirty-four years, I had believed my biological father had never wanted me.
Now I knew he had tried to find me.
But someone had stopped him.
And that someone had been Richard Carter.
Alexander started the engine.
"We're going to the police.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice whispered:
"Claire? My name is Margaret Collins's sister.""
I stopped breathing.
"Who?""
"Margaret's younger sister. I've been looking for you.""
I gripped the phone.
"How did you get my number?""
"Your mother gave it to me years ago. I was afraid to contact you while Richard was alive.""
I looked at Alexander.
The woman continued.
"There's something you need to know about your mother's final days.""
"What?""
"Richard visited Eleanor the night before she died.""
My stomach tightened.
"She was in the hospital.""
"I know.""
"What happened?""
The woman began crying.
"Your mother discovered who had changed the original hospital records.""
I closed my eyes.
"Who?""
May you like
The answer came quietly.
"Stephanie.""
