Chapter 4: The Man in the Photograph
Arthur Grant had attended the funeral himself.
He remembered the polished mahogany coffin. He remembered the white roses covering its lid, the rain tapping against the church windows, and the pastor speaking about a life that had ended far too soon.
Most of all, he remembered standing beside the grave, promising himself that he would never again allow the Grant family to be destroyed by secrets.
Now, beneath the bright streetlights, he stared at the face in Danielle Brooks's photograph.
The same dark eyes.
The same crooked smile.
The same small scar above the left eyebrow.
His younger brother, Marcus Grant, looked back at him from a photograph taken years before anyone had declared him dead.
Arthur's fingers loosened.
The photograph slipped against the wet hood of the SUV.
Victoria caught it before it slid into a puddle.
She glanced down.
Then she stopped breathing.
"Marcus," she whispered.
Danielle folded her arms tightly across her chest.
"Yes.""
Victoria looked at her husband, then at the photograph.
"That's impossible.""
"That's what I was told," Danielle replied.
Arthur snatched the photograph from Victoria's hand, careful now not to damage it.
"When was this taken?""
"Nine years ago.""
"That's not possible. Marcus died nine years ago.""
"You attended his funeral," Danielle said.
"I know.""
Arthur's face hardened.
"Then you know his body was identified.""
"No, Arthur. I know someone told you his body had been identified.""
The distinction struck him harder than an accusation.
Victoria stepped closer.
"Danielle, are you telling us Marcus was alive when Eli was born?""
Danielle looked toward the boy.
Eli stood beside Victoria's open car door, wrapped in the blanket, watching them. He could hear every word, but none of it made sense.
"Mom?"" he called.
Danielle turned immediately.
"I'm right here, sweetheart.""
"Who's Marcus?""
Her lips parted.
Arthur looked at the child, and for the first time since the confrontation began, he seemed to understand that the boy wasn't merely a mystery to solve.
He was a child listening to strangers dismantle the only story he'd ever been given about his father.
Danielle walked to Eli and crouched before him.
"Marcus was a man I loved very much.""
"Was he my dad?""
She glanced at Arthur.
Then back at her son.
"Yes, baby.""
Eli stared at her.
"You said Dad couldn't come back.""
"I know what I said.""
"Did you lie?""
The question was barely audible.
Danielle's eyes filled.
"I tried to protect you.""
"From what?""
She reached for his hand, but he pulled it against his chest.
"Why didn't he come to my birthday?"" Eli demanded.
"Why didn't he ever call? Why did you let me think he was dead?""
Danielle swallowed hard.
"Because I believed he was gone, too.""
Arthur turned sharply.
"What does that mean?""
"It means I was told the same story you were told.""
"By whom?""
Danielle shook her head.
"Not here.""
Arthur slammed the photograph onto the hood.
"No more secrets! My brother was buried in a family plot. I paid for the funeral. I saw the coffin lowered into the ground!""
"And did you see his face?""
Arthur stopped.
Rain pattered against the metal between them.
Victoria slowly turned toward him.
"Arthur?""
He couldn't answer.
Danielle pulled the folded paper from the envelope and placed it beside the photograph.
"This came from the person who contacted me six months ago. The person who told me Marcus might not have died.""
Arthur seized the paper.
The first line contained a date.
The second contained a signature.
The third was a handwritten statement.
The body delivered to the Grant family was never conclusively identified as Marcus Grant.
Arthur read it again.
Then a third time.
His face turned pale.
"You expect me to believe someone fabricated my brother's death?""
"I expect you to read the entire statement.""
He scanned the remaining lines.
There was a hospital name, a case number, and the name of a physician who had signed the original report.
Arthur recognized the hospital immediately.
He had financed its new cardiac wing years ago.
Victoria touched his sleeve.
"Arthur, what is it?""
He turned the page over.
On the back was a handwritten note.
Ask who authorized the transfer.
Arthur looked up.
"Who gave you this?""
Danielle's jaw tightened.
"A man who worked at the hospital the night Marcus disappeared.""
"His name?""
"Samuel Price.""
Arthur stared at her.
"Samuel Price retired twelve years ago.""
"Then someone should ask him why he contacted me six months ago.""
A gust of wind swept rain across the hood, threatening to carry the photograph away. Victoria pinned it beneath the envelope.
Eli stepped out from beside her.
"Mom, I want to go home.""
Danielle immediately turned.
"Of course, sweetheart.""
"But I want to know about Dad first.""
She closed her eyes.
Arthur watched the boy, and something inside him shifted. For years, he had believed his grief was settled, its edges worn smooth by time.
Now his dead brother had a son standing in front of him.
A son Arthur had never known existed.
A son who had spent nine birthdays believing his father would never return.
Arthur took a slow breath.
"Eli, I can't answer all your questions tonight.""
"Can you answer one?""
Arthur nodded.
"Did you know my dad?""
"Yes.""
"Did he know about me?""
Arthur looked at Danielle.
She didn't move.
"I don't know," he admitted.
Eli's eyes filled again.
"Everybody keeps saying they don't know.""
He picked up his backpack from the hood and hugged it against his chest.
"I just want somebody to tell me the truth.""
Arthur lowered his head.
For the first time in decades, the billionaire had no argument, no threat, and no amount of money that could make the words right.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*STOP ASKING ABOUT MARCUS GRANT. THE NEXT PERSON WHO DISAPPEARS WON'T BE AS LUCKY.*
Arthur read it twice.
Victoria saw his expression change.
"What is it?""
He turned the screen toward her.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
Danielle stepped backward, instinctively pulling Eli behind her.
Arthur looked across the rain-soaked sidewalk at the empty street.
Someone knew they were asking questions.
Someone had been watching them.
And whoever had arranged Marcus Grant's death was still close enough to threaten the people standing beside the SUV.
Arthur slipped the phone into his pocket.
"Victoria, get Eli into the car.""
Danielle immediately shook her head.
"My son isn't going anywhere with you.""
Arthur met her eyes.
"Then tell me where you want him to go.""
She hesitated.
He continued, his voice low and controlled.
"Because someone just threatened to make him disappear.""
Behind them, a car engine started across the street.
A black sedan pulled away from the curb.
Arthur turned just in time to see its rear window lower.
A camera lens glinted beneath the streetlight.
Then the window closed, and the sedan disappeared into the rain.
Arthur stared after it.
Marcus had been declared dead nine years ago.
May you like
But someone was still protecting the secret.
And someone had just learned that Arthur Grant was no longer willing to leave it buried.
