Chapter 4: The Photograph That Exposed Denise
I read the four words again.
*The agreement was never paid.*
The photograph felt strangely heavy in my hands.
Denise stood outside a bank, wearing a dark blue coat I recognized from family photographs. Beside her was a man in a gray suit, holding a leather briefcase. Neither of them was smiling.
I turned the photograph over again.
The date was written in Dad's handwriting.
It was the same day Maya's savings account had first been accessed.
I heard footsteps in the hallway.
I quickly slipped the photograph into my pocket.
Brielle appeared in the doorway.
“What are you doing in here?””
I nearly dropped the picture.
“Looking for Dad's phone charger.””
She glanced at the open drawer.
“That's not where he keeps it.””
“I know.””
Her eyes narrowed.
“Then what are you doing?””
I walked past her.
“Getting ready for school.””
She didn't move.
Instead, she watched me with an expression I'd never seen before.
“You found something, didn't you?””
I stopped.
“What makes you say that?””
“Because you look guilty.””
I almost laughed.
“You destroyed Maya's birthday present, and somehow I'm the guilty one?””
Brielle stepped into the bedroom and closed the door.
“Listen. Whatever Mom did with that money, it wasn't my decision.””
“Then why are you so worried?””
“I'm not.””
“Your face says otherwise.””
She folded her arms.
“Dad is already angry. If you keep digging, you're going to make everything worse.””
“For whom?””
She didn't answer.
I pulled out the photograph.
Her eyes immediately locked onto it.
“Where did you get that?””
“Dad's drawer.””
Brielle reached for it.
I pulled it away.
“Who is this man?””
“I don't know.””
“You recognize him.””
“No, I don't.””
“You knew there was something in that drawer.””
Brielle's expression changed.
Then she whispered, “You shouldn't have opened it.””
Before I could ask another question, someone knocked on the bedroom door.
“Girls?””
Dad.
Brielle stepped away from me.
I opened the door.
Dad looked from my face to the photograph in my hand.
“Where did you find that?””
“In your drawer.””
He took it carefully.
For a moment, he looked as if he'd been punched.
“Where's Denise?”” he asked.
“She left.””
Dad closed his eyes.
Then he looked at Brielle.
“Did your mother tell you about this man?””
Brielle shook her head.
“I told her I don't know him.””
Dad studied her for several seconds.
“What's his name?””
She swallowed.
“Mr. Warren.””
Dad's face went pale.
I looked between them.
“You know him?””
Dad nodded slowly.
“His name is Richard Warren. He was your mother's financial adviser.””
“What does he have to do with Maya's money?””
Dad sat on the edge of the bed.
“After your mother died, Richard contacted me about an account she'd created for Maya. He said there was paperwork to finalize, but I was overwhelmed with everything happening at the time.””
“What paperwork?””
“I never signed anything.””
He stared at the photograph.
“Apparently, someone else did.””
Brielle looked toward the door.
“I have to go.””
Dad stood.
“No. You're staying.””
“Dad, I have school.””
“Then we'll discuss this after school.””
She shook her head.
“You're treating me like I stole something.””
Dad's voice remained calm.
“I'm trying to understand why a photograph connecting your mother to Maya's missing money was hidden in my bedroom.””
Brielle looked at me.
For a moment, I thought she might say something.
Instead, she walked out.
Dad picked up the photograph again.
“I need to call Richard.””
He took his phone and stepped into the hallway.
I sat beside him.
“Dad, what was the agreement?””
He shook his head.
“I don't know.””
“Then why did someone write that it was never paid?””
He looked at me.
“Because your mother may have made a promise to someone before she died.””
“What kind of promise?””
He didn't answer.
Instead, he called the number printed on the back of the photograph.
The call went straight to voicemail.
He tried again.
This time, someone answered.
“Richard Warren speaking.””
Dad sat straighter.
“Richard. It's Daniel.””
There was a long silence.
Then the man's voice changed.
“Daniel? I wasn't expecting your call.””
“I found the photograph.””
Another silence.
“Where?””
“In my bedroom drawer.””
Richard exhaled.
“Then Denise kept it.””
Dad's eyes narrowed.
“Why was she meeting you?””
Richard hesitated.
“Daniel, I think it's better if we speak in person.””
“Tell me what happened to Maya's account.””
“I can't discuss financial matters over the phone.””
“It's my daughter's money.””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Then you need to know that the money wasn't supposed to go to Brielle.””
Dad stood up.
“What?””
“The agreement was made with your late wife. It concerned Maya's inheritance.””
Dad gripped the phone.
“What agreement?””
Richard's answer was almost a whisper.
“The agreement that would protect Maya's money until she turned eighteen.””
Dad went silent.
Then Richard added something that made him look toward the staircase.
“Denise was supposed to receive a separate payment. She wasn't supposed to touch the account.””
Dad's voice became cold.
“How much was she paid?””
Richard paused.
“Nothing.””
And then the call ended.
Dad stood motionless.
I looked at him.
“What does that mean?””
He slowly lowered the phone.
“It means Denise may have taken Maya's inheritance because she never received the money your mother promised her.””
I frowned.
“Why would Mom promise Denise money?””
Dad looked at the photograph again.
“I don't know.””
Then his phone vibrated.
May you like
A message from Richard appeared.
*Daniel, there is something else you need to know. Your wife wasn't the only person involved.*
