Chapter 12: The Safe Behind## Chapter 12: The Safe Behind the Wall
the Wall
We reached Grandma's house at 10:We reached Grandma's house at 10:42 a.m.
Dad's truck was already parked outside.
42 a.m.
Dad's truck was already parked outside.
The driver's door stood open.
A crowbar lay on the front passenger seat.
I jumped outThe driver's door stood open.
A crowbar lay on the front passenger seat.
I jumped out before James had completely stopped the car.
"Claire, wait!"" he shouted.
But I before James had completely stopped the car.
"Claire, wait!"" he shouted.
But I was already running toward the front porch.
Denise opened the door before I could knock.
Her face was pale.
" was already running toward the front porch.
Denise opened the door before I could knock.
Her face was pale.
"He's downstairs.""
I looked behind her.
"Did he get inside?""
"He usedHe's downstairs.""
I looked behind her.
"Did he get inside?""
"He used the spare key he claimed he still had.""
James stepped forward.
"Mrs. Denise, you need the spare key he claimed he still had.""
James stepped forward.
"Mrs. Denise, you need to call the police to call the police.""
"I already did.""
A loud metallic bang came from beneath the floor.
Then Dad shouted.
"Where did she put it.""
"I already did.""
A loud metallic bang came from beneath the floor.
Then Dad shouted.
"Where did she put it?""
I froze.
He was talking about Grandma.
James put a?""
I froze.
He was talking about Grandma.
James put a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't go down there alone.""
We followed Denise through the kitchen and toward the basement stairs.
The smell hit me first.
Damp concrete.
Old hand on my shoulder.
"Don't go down there alone.""
We followed Denise through the kitchen and toward the basement stairs.
The smell hit me first.
Damp concrete.
Old cardboard.
Dust.
At the bottom of the stairs, I saw my father.
He was standing beside a set of wooden shelves, holding the crowbar.
His shirt was cardboard.
Dust.
At the bottom of the stairs, I saw my father.
He was standing beside a set of wooden shelves, holding the crowbar.
His shirt was untucked, and sweat darkened the collar.
When he saw me, he stopped.
"What untucked, and sweat darkened the collar.
When he saw me, he stopped.
"What are you doing here?""
I stared at the broken section of wall.
"Looking are you doing here?""
I stared at the broken section of wall.
"Looking for what Grandma left behind.""
Dad laughed.
"There's nothing here.""
for what Grandma left behind.""
Dad laughed.
"There's nothing here.""
James stepped into the room.
"Richard, put the crowbar down.""
My father turned.
"Stay outJames stepped into the room.
"Richard, put the crowbar down.""
My father turned.
"Stay out of this.""
"I'm an attorney representing Claire. You are trespassing on property owned by Denise.""
Dad pointed at of this.""
"I'm an attorney representing Claire. You are trespassing on property owned by Denise.""
Dad pointed at the wall.
"That property was mine.""
"Not anymore the wall.
"That property was mine.""
"Not anymore.""
Dad ignored him.
He turned toward me.
"Claire, listen. Whatever Thomas told you, he's manipulating you.""
"Then why are you breaking into Grandma's basement?""
"I have every right to recover family property.""
"Not if it belongs to me.""
He shook his head.
"You've become just like your grandmother.""
.""
Dad ignored him.
He turned toward me.
"Claire, listen. Whatever Thomas told you, he's manipulating you.""
"Then why are you breaking into Grandma's basement?""
"I have every right to recover family property.""
"Not if it belongs to me.""
He shook his head.
"You've become just like your grandmother.""
I looked at the damaged wall.
"Thank you.""
His face tightened.
Then he raised theI looked at the damaged wall.
"Thank you.""
His face tightened.
Then he raised the crowbar again.
James stepped forward.
"Richard, I strongly advise you to stop.""
Dad swung the crowbar crowbar again.
James stepped forward.
"Richard, I strongly advise you to stop.""
Dad swung the crowbar against the plaster.
A section of drywall broke away.
Behind it was a small metal against the plaster.
A section of drywall broke away.
Behind it was a small metal safe.
I stopped breathing.
Dad stared at it.
For one second, none of us moved.
Then safe.
I stopped breathing.
Dad stared at it.
For one second, none of us moved.
Then he lunged.
I reached for the safe at the same time.
Our hands collided he lunged.
I reached for the safe at the same time.
Our hands collided.
"Give it to me!"" he shouted.
"No!""
He grabbed my arm.
James moved between us.
".
"Give it to me!"" he shouted.
"No!""
He grabbed my arm.
James moved between us.
"Let go of her!""
Dad released me and stepped backward.
A moment later, we heard sirens.
Denise appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"The police are here!""
Dad dropped the crowbar.
Two officers entered the basement.
One approached my fatherLet go of her!""
Dad released me and stepped backward.
A moment later, we heard sirens.
Denise appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"The police are here!""
Dad dropped the crowbar.
Two officers entered the basement.
One approached my father.
"Sir, step away from the wall.""
"This is a family matter," Dad protested.
"Sir, step away.""
James explained that.
"Sir, step away from the wall.""
"This is a family matter," Dad protested.
"Sir, step away.""
James explained that Denise owned the property and that Dad had entered without permission.
The officers separated us.
One took statements while Denise owned the property and that Dad had entered without permission.
The officers separated us.
One took statements while the other examined the damaged wall.
Dad kept repeating that he had only been the other examined the damaged wall.
Dad kept repeating that he had only been retrieving his personal belongings.
Then one officer looked at me.
"Is that your name on the safe?""
I stepped closer.
A small brass plate retrieving his personal belongings.
Then one officer looked at me.
"Is that your name on the safe?""
I stepped closer.
A small brass plate was attached to the front.
*CLAIRE ELIZABETH MILLER.*
I nodded.
"Yes.""
"Do you have the key?""
I looked at James.
He opened his briefcase and was attached to the front.
*CLAIRE ELIZABETH MILLER.*
I nodded.
"Yes.""
"Do you have the key?""
I looked at James.
He opened his briefcase and removed the brass key Thomas had given us.
The officer watched as I inserted it.
It turned.
The safe clicked open removed the brass key Thomas had given us.
The officer watched as I inserted it.
It turned.
The safe clicked open.
Inside were three things.
A blue leather folder.
A small flash drive.
And a sealed white envelope.
My grandmother's handwriting covered the.
Inside were three things.
A blue leather folder.
A small flash drive.
And a sealed white envelope.
My grandmother's handwriting covered the front.
*FOR MY DARLING CLAIRE.*
I lifted the folder first.
It contained original company registration documents front.
*FOR MY DARLING CLAIRE.*
I lifted the folder first.
It contained original company registration documents, bank statements, and copies of several checks.
James began examining them.
After a few minutes, he looked up.
"Claire, bank statements, and copies of several checks.
James began examining them.
After a few minutes, he looked up.
"Claire, these are important.""
"What do they show?""
"Your father opened Miller Family Investments using your identity when you, these are important.""
"What do they show?""
"Your father opened Miller Family Investments using your identity when you were fifteen. He later transferred its assets into Northbridge Holdings.""
I looked at the papers.
There were bank transactions were fifteen. He later transferred its assets into Northbridge Holdings.""
I looked at the papers.
There were bank transactions dating back years.
Payments from Grandma.
Transfers to my father.
Transfers to Ethan.
dating back years.
Payments from Grandma.
Transfers to my father.
Transfers to Ethan.
And several payments to an account belonging to my mother.
I picked up the next statement.
And several payments to an account belonging to my mother.
I picked up the next statement.
One transaction stood out.
*$42,000 — TRANSFER TO RICHARD MILLER.*
The date was two monthsOne transaction stood out.
*$42,000 — TRANSFER TO RICHARD MILLER.*
The date was two months before Grandma died.
Beside it was a handwritten note.
*Unauthorized. Richard before Grandma died.
Beside it was a handwritten note.
Unauthorized. Richard claims this is repayment for previous expenses.
I felt sick.
"Can we use this?""
James nodded.
"Absolutely claims this is repayment for previous expenses.*
I felt sick.
"Can we use this?""
James nodded.
"Absolutely. These are original records.""
Then he picked up the flash drive.
"We'll need. These are original records.""
Then he picked up the flash drive.
"We'll need to preserve this properly and have its contents examined.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was another letter to preserve this properly and have its contents examined.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was another letter.
Unlike the first one, this was longer.
My hands shook as I unfolded it.
Unlike the first one, this was longer.
My hands shook as I unfolded it.
My dearest Claire,
*If you are reading this, Richard has probably discovered the documents I.
My dearest Claire,
If you are reading this, Richard has probably discovered the documents I left behind.
I wish I could have protected you from all of this.
I know you love your left behind.
I wish I could have protected you from all of this.
*I know you love your parents. I know you have spent your life trying to make them proud. But there is something you must parents.
I know you have spent your life trying to make them proud. But there is something you must understand.*
Your father has never been angry because you wanted too much.
He has understand.
Your father has never been angry because you wanted too much.
He has been angry because you were willing to build a life without depending on him.
I stopped reading.
My eyes filled with tears been angry because you were willing to build a life without depending on him.*
I stopped reading.
My eyes filled with tears.
I continued.
When you were fifteen, I opened an investment account for you. I intended it to pay for your education and give you a chance to start your adult life without debt.
*Richard discovered it and began using your name to obtain credit..
I continued.
When you were fifteen, I opened an investment account for you. I intended it to pay for your education and give you a chance to start your adult life without debt.
Richard discovered it and began using your name to obtain credit. When I confronted him, he promised to stop.
He didn't.
I then established a separate trust with Thomas. That trust cannot be When I confronted him, he promised to stop.
He didn't.
I then established a separate trust with Thomas. That trust cannot be accessed by your father or mother.
It is yours.
I looked at James.
He nodded accessed by your father or mother.*
It is yours.
I looked at James.
He nodded slowly.
I continued reading.
There is one final thing I must tell you.
*The money your slowly.
I continued reading.
There is one final thing I must tell you.
The money your father took is not the only thing he has hidden.
My fingers tightened around the letter.
Several years father took is not the only thing he has hidden.
My fingers tightened around the letter.
Several years ago, Richard approached me with a business proposal. He wanted to purchase an investment property with a ago, Richard approached me with a business proposal. He wanted to purchase an investment property with a friend. I refused to fund it.
He became angry and told me that if I didn't help friend. I refused to fund it.
He became angry and told me that if I didn't help him, he would make sure nobody else in the family received a penny.
I recorded our conversation because I him, he would make sure nobody else in the family received a penny.
I recorded our conversation because I was afraid.
The recording is on the flash drive.
Listen carefully, Claire.
There is a name in that recording you must not ignore.
was afraid.*
The recording is on the flash drive.
Listen carefully, Claire.
There is a name in that recording you must not ignore.
I looked up.
"What name?""
James examined the letter.
"Let's find out.""
He placed the flash drive into hisI looked up.
"What name?""
James examined the letter.
"Let's find out.""
He placed the flash drive into his laptop.
A folder appeared.
There were twelve audio files.
The first eleven were labeled with dates.
The last one had a handwritten title:
**THE REAL laptop.
A folder appeared.
There were twelve audio files.
The first eleven were labeled with dates.
The last one had a handwritten title:
*THE REAL REASON RICHARD NEEDS THE HOUSE.*
I clicked it.
Grandma's voice filled the basement.
"Richard, I will not sign it.""
REASON RICHARD NEEDS THE HOUSE.**
I clicked it.
Grandma's voice filled the basement.
"Richard, I will not sign it.""
My father's voice answered.
"You're making this much harder than it needs to be.""
"You told me this was anMy father's voice answered.
"You're making this much harder than it needs to be.""
"You told me this was an investment. Now I discover you've borrowed money from people I don't trust.""
"They're business partners investment. Now I discover you've borrowed money from people I don't trust.""
"They're business partners.""
"They're not bankers, Richard. They're dangerous men.""
I looked.""
"They're not bankers, Richard. They're dangerous men.""
I looked at Dad.
He stood near the basement stairs, watching the laptop.
His face had gone completely white.
The recording continued.
Grandma at Dad.
He stood near the basement stairs, watching the laptop.
His face had gone completely white.
The recording continued.
Grandma spoke again.
"Who is Victor Hale?""
My stomach dropped.
Dad answered.
"Someone who spoke again.
"Who is Victor Hale?""
My stomach dropped.
Dad answered.
"Someone who can help me.""
"He is not helping you. He's using can help me.""
"He is not helping you. He's using you.""
"Mom, you don't understand.""
"I understand that you have already put this family at risk you.""
"Mom, you don't understand.""
"I understand that you have already put this family at risk.""
There was a loud noise.
Then Grandma said something that made everyone in the basement go still.
"Did you.""
There was a loud noise.
Then Grandma said something that made everyone in the basement go still.
"Did you tell him about Claire?""
Dad didn't answer.
Grandma continued.
"Did you tell Victor that you intend to use her inheritance tell him about Claire?""
Dad didn't answer.
Grandma continued.
"Did you tell Victor that you intend to use her inheritance to settle your debt?""
Dad's voice became sharp.
"I told him what he to settle your debt?""
Dad's voice became sharp.
"I told him what he needed to hear.""
"She's your daughter!""
"She's the only person with enough needed to hear.""
"She's your daughter!""
"She's the only person with enough assets to secure the loan!""
My eyes filled with tears.
James stopped the assets to secure the loan!""
My eyes filled with tears.
James stopped the recording.
He looked at me.
"Claire, we need to hear the rest.""
I nodded.
He pressed play recording.
He looked at me.
"Claire, we need to hear the rest.""
I nodded.
He pressed play again.
Grandma's voice was shaking.
"Richard, if you do this, I will report you.""
Dad answered coldly.
"Then again.
Grandma's voice was shaking.
"Richard, if you do this, I will report you.""
Dad answered coldly.
"Then you'll lose everything too.""
There was a long silence.
Finally, Grandma spoke.
"One day you'll lose everything too.""
There was a long silence.
Finally, Grandma spoke.
"One day, Claire will know what you did.""
My father's response was almost a whisper, Claire will know what you did.""
My father's response was almost a whisper.
"Not if I get there first.""
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
.
"Not if I get there first.""
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Then the police officer approached James.
"Sir, we need to take a copy of those documents asThen the police officer approached James.
"Sir, we need to take a copy of those documents as evidence.""
James nodded.
"Of course.""
I looked at my father.
He wouldn't meet my eyes.
For years evidence.""
James nodded.
"Of course.""
I looked at my father.
He wouldn't meet my eyes.
For years, I had believed his greatest weakness was irresponsibility.
I had thought he, I had believed his greatest weakness was irresponsibility.
I had thought he borrowed too much, spent too much, and expected everyone else to clean up borrowed too much, spent too much, and expected everyone else to clean up his mistakes.
But Grandma's recording revealed something worse.
He had planned this.
He had known exactly whose money he was taking.
And he had intended to his mistakes.
But Grandma's recording revealed something worse.
He had planned this.
He had known exactly whose money he was taking.
And he had intended to use my inheritance to pay someone he knew was dangerous.
The officers escorted him upstairs to use my inheritance to pay someone he knew was dangerous.
The officers escorted him upstairs to discuss the trespassing complaint and the damaged property discuss the trespassing complaint and the damaged property.
Before leaving, Dad turned toward me.
"Claire, you don't know what you're doing.""
I looked at him.
"Neither did you, apparently.""
He shook his.
Before leaving, Dad turned toward me.
"Claire, you don't know what you're doing.""
I looked at him.
"Neither did you, apparently.""
He shook his head.
"You think James is going to save you?""
"No.""
I held up Grandma's letter.
"I think Grandma already head.
"You think James is going to save you?""
"No.""
I held up Grandma's letter.
"I think Grandma already did.""
His expression changed.
Then he left.
James carefully packed the original documents.
"We need to get these to the authorities and the bank immediately.""
I nodded.
But my eyes did.""
His expression changed.
Then he left.
James carefully packed the original documents.
"We need to get these to the authorities and the bank immediately.""
I nodded.
But my eyes were still on the flash drive.
There was one audio file we hadn't opened.
A file labeled:
*VICTOR HALE — PRIVATE AGREEMENT.*
I clicked were still on the flash drive.
There was one audio file we hadn't opened.
A file labeled:
*VICTOR HALE — PRIVATE AGREEMENT.*
I clicked it.
A man's voice filled the basement.
It wasn't my father's.
It wasn't Grandma's.
It was Victor's.
"Richard, we it.
A man's voice filled the basement.
It wasn't my father's.
It wasn't Grandma's.
It was Victor's.
"Richard, we agreed that the house would be transferred before the end of the year.""
Dad answered.
"She agreed that the house would be transferred before the end of the year.""
Dad answered.
"She won't sign.""
"Then use the daughter's name.""
"She's only fifteen.""
"That won't sign.""
"Then use the daughter's name.""
"She's only fifteen.""
"That has never stopped you before.""
My blood turned cold.
Then Victor spoke again.
"There's another issue. has never stopped you before.""
My blood turned cold.
Then Victor spoke again.
"There's another issue. What happens if Margaret discovers the real beneficiary?""
Dad answered without hesitation.
"She won't be around long enough to cause a What happens if Margaret discovers the real beneficiary?""
Dad answered without hesitation.
"She won't be around long enough to cause a problem.""
The recording stopped.
I couldn't move.
James slowly closed the laptop.
"Claire...""
I looked at him.
"Did problem.""
The recording stopped.
I couldn't move.
James slowly closed the laptop.
"Claire...""
I looked at him.
"Did he just say what I think he said?""
James didn't answer.
Because at that exact moment, the he just say what I think he said?""
James didn't answer.
Because at that exact moment, the officer who had escorted my father outside returned.
He held a folded document in his hand.
"Miss Miller, there's something officer who had escorted my father outside returned.
He held a folded document in his hand.
"Miss Miller, there's something you need to know.""
I stood.
"What?""
"We ran a preliminary check on the documents you need to know.""
I stood.
"What?""
"We ran a preliminary check on the documents found in the basement. There's a reference to a police report filed found in the basement. There's a reference to a police report filed shortly before your grandmother died.""
My throat tightened.
"What report?""
The officer glanced at James.
Then back at shortly before your grandmother died.""
My throat tightened.
"What report?""
The officer glanced at James.
Then back at me.
"An allegation that someone had deliberately tampered with your grandmother's medication.""
I felt the room disappear around me.
"Who me.
"An allegation that someone had deliberately tampered with your grandmother's medication.""
I felt the room disappear around me.
"Who filed it?""
The officer looked down at the document.
"Your grandmother's attending physician.""
Then he said the name of the person who had collected her medication from the filed it?""
The officer looked down at the document.
"Your grandmother's attending physician.""
Then he said the name of the person who had collected her medication from the pharmacy during the final week of her life.
*Linda Miller.*
My mother.
And suddenly, the question wasn't just how my father had stolen my pharmacy during the final week of her life.
*Linda Miller.*
My mother.
And suddenly, the question wasn't just how my father had stolen my inheritance.
May you like
It was what my parents had done to make sure Grandma could never stop them. inheritance.
It was what my parents had done to make sure Grandma could never stop them.
