Chapter 6: The Message Meant for Zoe
Marcus took Zoe's phone carefully, making sure not to delete or alter the message.
"Did you respond?"" he asked.
Zoe shook her head.
"No. I came straight to you.""
"Good.""
Her eyes searched his face.
"Daddy, am I in danger?""
Marcus wanted to tell her no.
He wanted to promise that everything would be fine, that the strange messages would stop, and that the people who had frightened her would never come near her again.
But he wouldn't make a promise he couldn't guarantee.
"You're not handling this alone," he said.
"We're going to take this seriously, and I'm going to make sure the right people know what's happening.""
Zoe gripped the edge of his jacket.
"Is Uncle Daniel really trying to hurt us?""
"I don't know what he's trying to do yet.""
"But you think he did something.""
Marcus glanced toward Vanessa.
His wife stood beside the desk, staring at the floor. The brass key was no longer in her hand.
"I think there are questions that need answers," he said.
"And nobody gets to frighten you into silence while we find them.""
He called Officer Reed and described the message. Reed instructed him to preserve the phone, avoid responding to the sender, and provide the message for the investigation.
Then Marcus took Zoe downstairs.
The backyard was almost empty now. A catering worker collected abandoned glasses, while a guest in a silver dress spoke quietly into her phone beside the gate.
The white tablecloths remained immaculate. The birthday cake stood untouched beneath its glass cover.
Marcus looked at the cake.
Eighteen candles had been arranged around the top. Zoe had chosen the design herself, a simple white cake with blue flowers and a small silver crown.
Now the frosting was beginning to soften in the afternoon heat.
Zoe followed his gaze.
"I don't want the cake.""
"That's okay.""
"I don't want the presents, either.""
"That's okay, too.""
She pressed her lips together, trying to hold back another wave of tears.
"I just wanted one normal day.""
Marcus turned toward her.
He had negotiated contracts worth millions. He had faced angry investors, difficult clients, and business partners who smiled while trying to undercut him.
None of it had prepared him for his daughter asking for something as simple as a peaceful birthday.
He pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry, baby.""
She buried her face against his chest.
"You didn't do it.""
"I should have been here sooner.""
"You didn't know.""
"Maybe I should have asked more questions.""
Zoe was quiet for a moment.
Then she whispered, "She told me you were too busy to care about what happened to me.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"She was wrong.""
"I know that now.""
He held her tighter.
"But I need you to know something," he continued.
"You never have to earn my protection by being perfect. You don't have to keep quiet to protect this family. And you never have to let someone humiliate you because you're afraid they might get angry.""
Zoe nodded against his suit.
Behind them, Vanessa approached slowly.
"Zoe.""
The girl immediately stiffened.
Marcus stepped between them.
"What do you want?""
Vanessa stopped.
"I want to talk to her.""
"Not now.""
"She's my family, too.""
"Then you should have treated her like family.""
Vanessa looked at Zoe.
"I'm sorry about the dress.""
Zoe stared at her.
"You didn't just take my dress.""
Vanessa's mouth opened, but Zoe continued.
"You told everyone I was irresponsible. You made me carry drinks while people laughed at me. You said my dad wouldn't believe me. And you threatened to accuse me of stealing from you.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"I was angry.""
"So was I.""
Zoe's voice trembled, but she didn't look away.
"I was angry because you embarrassed me. I was scared because you kept telling me nobody would believe me. And I was ashamed because I thought maybe I had done something to deserve it.""
Vanessa blinked rapidly.
"I never wanted you to feel that way.""
"But you made me feel that way.""
The words struck harder than a scream.
For a moment, Vanessa appeared unable to move.
Marcus gently touched Zoe's shoulder.
"Let's go, baby.""
As they walked toward the side gate, Vanessa called after him.
"Marcus, please! We need to talk about Daniel before you make things worse.""
He stopped without turning around.
"You've had all afternoon to talk.""
"I was afraid!""
"So was my daughter.""
Vanessa's voice broke.
"Daniel said he'd destroy me if I told you.""
Marcus turned then.
"What does he have on you?""
She glanced toward the empty lawn, then lowered her voice.
"There's something you need to know about the property transfer.""
"Tell me.""
"The agreement isn't the only document he prepared.""
Marcus waited.
Vanessa looked toward Zoe, then back at him.
"He prepared another one. A separate authorization. It gives him access to records that should only be available to you.""
"Which records?""
"I don't know the full list.""
"Then how do you know it exists?""
"Because I helped him send it.""
Marcus felt his anger flare, but he forced himself to listen.
"When?""
"Last month.""
"Did you sign anything?""
"No. I used your scanned signature from an old business document. Daniel told me he had permission to use it.""
"You used my signature without asking me?""
Vanessa began crying.
"I thought it was a routine authorization.""
"You thought?""
"He said it was necessary to protect the estate.""
Marcus looked at Zoe, who stood beside him with her arms wrapped around herself.
"Officer Reed will need to hear this.""
Vanessa grabbed his sleeve.
"Please. If you tell him, Daniel will know I talked.""
Marcus gently removed her hand.
"He already knows we're asking questions.""
He led Zoe through the gate and toward his car.
Before he opened the passenger door, his phone rang.
Daniel.
Marcus answered on speaker.
"Where are you?"" Daniel demanded.
"With Zoe.""
"Good. Keep her away from Vanessa.""
Marcus exchanged a glance with his daughter.
"Why?""
"Because she's unstable. She's going to say anything to save herself.""
"She just told me she helped you submit documents with my signature.""
Daniel fell silent.
Marcus could hear his brother breathing.
Then Daniel laughed.
A low, humorless sound.
"She admitted that?""
"Yes.""
"Interesting.""
Marcus's fingers tightened around the phone.
"What does that mean?""
"It means she's finally telling part of the truth.""
"What part is she leaving out?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Ask her what she did with the original document from your father's safe.""
Marcus went still.
"What original document?""
"The one she took before he died.""
Zoe looked up sharply.
Marcus's voice dropped.
"My father didn't have a safe at home.""
"No," Daniel replied.
"He had one at the attorney's office. And somebody collected the contents after the funeral.""
"Who?""
"You know who had access to his estate records.""
"Tell me the name.""
Daniel exhaled.
"Vanessa.""
Marcus looked toward the house.
Through the glass doors, he could see his wife standing alone beside the desk.
"Why would she take anything from my father's safe?""
"Because she knew what was written in the original will.""
"What was written?""
Daniel's answer came quietly.
"That house was never supposed to belong to you alone.""
Marcus stared at the phone.
"What are you talking about?""
"Your father left instructions. The estate was supposed to be divided according to an agreement that both of us signed years ago.""
"I never signed an agreement.""
"Not you, Marcus.""
Daniel paused.
"Me.""
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
"My father made an agreement with you?""
"Yes. And the document that proves it disappeared the same week Vanessa collected the safe's contents.""
Marcus looked at Zoe.
Her face had gone pale.
"Daniel," he said slowly, "what exactly was in that safe?""
His brother's voice dropped to a whisper.
"The original will wasn't the only thing your father left behind.""
Then the call disconnected.
Marcus stood beside the car, the phone still pressed to his ear.
A new notification appeared on the screen.
It was an email from the law office handling his father's estate.
*URGENT: REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION OF ORIGINAL ESTATE DOCUMENTS.*
Below it was an attached scan.
Marcus opened the file.
The first page bore his father's name.
The second contained a handwritten note.
May you like
And at the bottom of that note, in his father's unmistakable handwriting, were six words that made Marcus forget to breathe.
*IF DANIEL ASKS, DO NOT TRUST HIM.*
