Chapter 10: The Man Who Wasn't My Best Friend
“Put the photograph down.””
My voice sounded unfamiliar, even to me.
Samuel stood beside the desk, holding the picture of Lily. His other hand remained inside his coat.
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
He glanced at the photograph.
“Your father left instructions.””
“What instructions?””
“The last heir must disappear.””
I stepped between him and the door.
“You're going to explain everything. Right now.””
Samuel sighed.
“Marcus, you don't understand what your father was trying to accomplish.””
“Then explain it!””
He placed the photograph on the desk.
“Your father established a private trust before the accident. It contained controlling shares in Hayes International, several properties, and a substantial amount of money.””
“I know about the trust.””
“No. You know about the version James showed you. The real trust has another beneficiary.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Who?””
Samuel looked at me.
“Daniel.””
I stared at him.
“My brother?””
“Yes. Your father divided the inheritance between you and Daniel. But the second portion could only be released when Daniel's identity was officially established.””
“And Lily?””
Samuel looked toward the door.
“She is connected to the final condition.””
“How?””
“Because Evelyn is the only person who knows where the original trust documents are hidden.””
I shook my head.
“You're telling me someone wants to hurt an eight-year-old girl over paperwork?””
“Not paperwork. Control.””
Samuel opened another drawer and removed a black leather folder.
“Your father discovered that the company had been used to finance an illegal network of shell corporations. Richard was involved, but he wasn't the architect.””
“Who was?””
Samuel looked at me.
“Your grandfather.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“My grandfather died when I was a child.””
“That's what everyone was told.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
Samuel nodded.
“Your grandfather survived his heart attack. He was moved to a private facility. Robert discovered the truth years later.””
I gripped the desk.
“How many people in this family have been declared dead while still breathing?””
Samuel didn't smile.
“More than you know.””
A noise came from the corridor.
Footsteps.
Samuel turned.
“Someone's here.””
The clinic lights suddenly went out.
I heard a door slam.
Then a voice shouted from outside.
“POLICE! EVERYONE STAY WHERE YOU ARE!””
Samuel grabbed my arm.
“Come with me.””
I pulled away.
“I'm not going anywhere with you.””
“Marcus, listen!””
He reached inside his coat.
I stepped backward.
But instead of a weapon, he pulled out a small silver key.
He threw it toward me.
“Your father left this for you. The original trust is inside the old family house.””
I caught it.
“Why are you giving it to me?””
“Because I won't be able to protect it much longer.””
The clinic door burst open.
Two men entered.
Neither wore a police uniform.
One pointed a gun at Samuel.
“Step away from the desk!””
Samuel raised his hands.
I dropped behind the examination table.
A shot rang out.
The sound was deafening.
When I looked up, Samuel was on the floor.
Blood spread across his shirt.
The two men rushed toward the rear exit.
I crawled to my uncle.
“Samuel!””
He was breathing.
Barely.
I pressed my hand against his chest.
“Stay with me!””
He grabbed my wrist.
“Marcus…”
“Don't talk.””
“Daniel…”
“Where is he?””
Samuel struggled to breathe.
“Your brother… he knows…”
“Knows what?””
Samuel's fingers tightened.
“Your mother never disappeared alone.””
His eyes moved toward the door.
Then he whispered:
“Find the second birth certificate.””
His hand fell.
For one terrifying moment, I thought he was dead.
Then he coughed.
I shouted for help.
The police arrived seconds later.
An ambulance took Samuel to the hospital.
I stood outside the clinic with Margaret, staring at the silver key in my palm.
My phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered immediately.
“Where are you?””
“Marcus, are you alone?””
“No. I'm with Margaret.””
“Good. Listen carefully. You need to get away from Samuel.””
“He's been shot.””
Daniel went silent.
“What?””
“Two men attacked him.””
“Did he say anything?””
“He told me to find the second birth certificate.””
Daniel exhaled sharply.
“Then he finally told you.””
“Told me what?””
“Marcus, Samuel isn't your uncle.””
I stopped walking.
“What?””
“His real name isn't Samuel Hayes.””
I stared at the hospital entrance.
“Who is he?””
“His name is Samuel Cole.””
The surname struck me.
Richard.
“Are you saying Samuel is Richard's brother?””
“No. He's Richard's father.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“That makes no sense.””
“Your father discovered the truth before the accident. Samuel had been using a false identity for years. He was the one who arranged your mother's disappearance.””
I looked at Margaret.
She had heard enough to understand something was wrong.
“Why did he tell me he was my uncle?””
Daniel answered quietly.
“Because he helped raise you after your mother died. He wanted you to trust him.””
I closed my eyes.
“Where are you?””
“Outside the old family house.””
“Why?””
“Because I found something.””
“What?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Your mother.””
My heart stopped.
“Is she there?””
“No. But there's a room behind the basement wall. And Marcus…”
“What?””
“There's a photograph of you as a baby.””
I frowned.
“I've seen hundreds of photographs of myself.””
“This one is different.””
“How?””
“There's another child beside you.””
I couldn't breathe.
Daniel continued.
“Two boys. Same age. Same face.””
I gripped the phone.
“Twins?””
“Yes.””
I looked at the silver key.
My father had left me a key to the old family house.
Samuel had mentioned a second birth certificate.
And now Daniel was telling me there had been two babies.
I whispered:
“Then who am I?””
Daniel was silent.
Then he said:
“That's what the second birth certificate is going to tell us.””
The call ended.
I looked at Margaret.
She was staring at the silver key.
“Marcus,” she said carefully, “I think your father knew this day would come.””
I closed my fist around the key.
“Then we're going to find out why.””
But as we headed toward the car, a police officer ran out of the hospital.
“Mr. Hayes!””
I turned.
“What's wrong?””
He held up a photograph.
It showed Samuel's hospital room.
The bed was empty.
The window was open.
May you like
And on the pillow was a handwritten note.
*ONE SON HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. DON'T LET THEM REPLACE THE OTHER.*
