Chapter 14: The Last Piece of Elena's Plan
The next morning, Marcus met Patricia and Evelyn at the police station.
Olivia arrived with Grace, who was sleeping in a small pink carrier.
Marcus looked down at the baby.
She had Elena's dark eyelashes and a tiny dimple in her left cheek.
He reached out carefully and touched her hand.
Grace curled her fingers around his thumb.
His eyes filled.
"Hello, sweetheart," he whispered.
Olivia smiled through her tears.
"She does that whenever someone talks to her.""
Marcus couldn't stop looking at her.
For three years, he had believed Maya was his only child.
Now he had another daughter who had been hidden from him by people he once trusted.
Patricia approached.
"We need to discuss the message from Daniel.""
Marcus looked up.
"He's asking for the original will.""
"Yes. And we believe he knows where it is.""
"Richard said he had it.""
Patricia nodded.
"Which means Daniel may be holding your father's documents.""
Evelyn placed a folder on the table.
"The police have agreed to supervise a controlled meeting if we can establish a clear location and purpose.""
Marcus looked at Olivia.
"Will you help?""
She nodded.
"For Grace, yes.""
The meeting was arranged at the old Hayes property.
Marcus would appear to be alone, but police officers would be positioned outside.
Patricia would remain in contact through a concealed communication device.
At precisely 2:00 p.m., Marcus entered the house.
Daniel was waiting in the living room.
Vanessa stood beside him.
Richard sat near the fireplace.
Marcus stopped.
His father looked exhausted.
His face had become thinner, and his hands trembled slightly.
"Where's the will?"" Marcus asked.
Daniel smiled.
"Straight to business.""
"I didn't come here to talk.""
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"You're always so dramatic.""
Marcus ignored her.
"Give me the original will.""
Daniel opened a leather briefcase.
He removed a sealed envelope.
"Your wife was a very clever woman.""
Marcus didn't move.
"Then you should have known better than to cross her.""
Daniel laughed.
"Elena made mistakes. She trusted the wrong people.""
"Like you?""
"Like your father.""
Richard looked down.
Marcus turned toward him.
"Why?""
His father rubbed his forehead.
"I thought I could protect the company.""
"You protected Daniel.""
"I was trying to fix what I had done.""
"You let him interfere with Elena's treatment.""
Richard's eyes filled.
"I didn't know how dangerous it was.""
"You knew enough to stay silent.""
Richard looked at him.
"I deserve that.""
Daniel interrupted.
"Enough family therapy. We have business.""
He placed the envelope on the table.
"The original will is inside. But before I give it to you, I want you to sign a document.""
Marcus looked at the paper.
It was a declaration relinquishing his claim to the trust and appointing Daniel as financial guardian of both Maya and Grace.
Marcus laughed.
"You think I'm going to sign that?""
Daniel leaned back.
"You should consider it.""
"Why?""
"Because Vanessa has already filed the paperwork to challenge your parental rights.""
Marcus looked at her.
"That petition will fail.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Perhaps. But there are other ways to make your life difficult.""
Daniel opened the briefcase again.
He removed several photographs.
They showed Marcus entering the hospital, speaking with Patricia, and meeting Olivia.
"You see, Marcus, people can be persuaded to believe almost anything.""
Marcus studied the photographs.
"Are you threatening me?""
"I'm offering you a choice.""
Daniel pushed the declaration forward.
"Sign, and the children remain where they are. Refuse, and I make sure the world learns everything about their biological origins.""
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
"You've spent years trying to make my daughter feel unwanted.""
Vanessa's face hardened.
"She was never supposed to be part of this arrangement.""
The room went silent.
Marcus stared.
"What arrangement?""
Vanessa realized what she had said.
Daniel turned sharply.
"Vanessa, stop talking.""
But she continued.
"Elena was supposed to die, the trust was supposed to transfer, and Marcus was supposed to remain grateful that someone was willing to help him raise Maya.""
Marcus felt his blood turn cold.
"Did you interfere with her medication?""
Vanessa looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
"Don't answer.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Did you?""
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"I didn't touch her medication.""
"Then who did?""
Daniel slammed his hand against the table.
"Enough!""
Richard suddenly stood.
"It was me.""
Everyone turned.
Marcus stared at his father.
"What?""
Richard's voice trembled.
"Daniel told me Elena was becoming unstable. He said the medication would help her sleep and reduce her anxiety. I authorized the changes.""
"You knew she was in intensive care.""
"I thought the doctors had approved everything.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You always were a coward, Richard.""
Richard turned toward her.
"And you were the one who brought the medication into the hospital.""
Marcus stared at Vanessa.
She stepped backward.
Daniel grabbed her arm.
"Shut up.""
Vanessa pulled away.
"Don't touch me!""
For the first time, the two conspirators were turning against each other.
Marcus looked toward the concealed communication device.
The police had heard everything.
Daniel seemed to sense something.
He suddenly reached for Marcus's jacket.
"What's that?""
Marcus stepped back.
Daniel lunged.
A loud crash came from the hallway.
The front door burst open.
"Police! Nobody move!""
Officers rushed into the room.
Daniel attempted to escape through the kitchen, but two officers stopped him.
Vanessa began shouting that she had been forced to participate.
Richard remained beside the fireplace, crying.
Marcus stood motionless.
The original will was still on the table.
An officer picked it up.
"Mr. Hayes, this is what you came for?""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes.""
The officer examined the envelope.
Then he frowned.
"There's a problem.""
"What?""
He opened it.
Inside was a photocopy.
Not the original.
Daniel had tricked them.
Patricia entered the room moments later.
She examined the document and shook her head.
"He's still hiding it.""
Marcus looked at Daniel.
"Where is the original?""
Daniel smiled despite the handcuffs.
"You'll never find it.""
Vanessa suddenly began laughing.
Everyone turned.
She looked directly at Marcus.
"He's lying.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
Vanessa continued.
"The original will isn't with him.""
"Vanessa!"" Daniel shouted.
She ignored him.
"Elena gave it to someone before she died.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Who?""
Vanessa looked at Richard.
Then she whispered:
"Your father knows.""
Richard slowly raised his head.
"I know where it is.""
Marcus stared.
"Then tell me.""
Richard looked at him with tears in his eyes.
"It's in the one place Elena knew nobody would ever think to search.""
"Where?""
May you like
Richard swallowed.
"Inside your mother's grave.""
