Chapter 13: The Woman Behind the Photograph
I stared at the photograph for almost a full minute.
Tiana was standing beside Robert Keller's hospital bed, holding a folder.
She looked calm.
Almost comfortable.
That bothered me more than anything else.
Three years earlier, she had walked away from our marriage because she believed I would never become successful. Then she had helped Devon steal company documents, accepted money to sign a false statement, and publicly humiliated me when she thought I was still struggling.
Now she was standing beside the man who might have ordered my father's murder.
I called her.
She answered after four rings.
"Marcus?""
"Where are you?""
Silence.
Then she said, "I was wondering when you'd call.""
"You're at Robert Keller's hospital.""
She exhaled.
"Who sent you the photograph?""
"My mother.""
"Is she safe?""
"That's an interesting question coming from you.""
"Marcus, listen to me.""
"No. You listen. Why are you with Robert?""
Her voice dropped.
"Because I have something he wants.""
"What?""
"The original financial records.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She immediately started typing.
"Which records?""
"The ones your father gave Linda Parker.""
My stomach tightened.
"How did you get them?""
"Your mother gave them to me.""
I stood.
"Why would she do that?""
"Because she knows I'm the only person Robert will talk to.""
I almost laughed.
"You're working with him?""
"No.""
"Then why are you in his hospital room?""
"Because he's dying, Marcus. And before he dies, he wants to make a deal.""
I walked toward the window.
"What kind of deal?""
"He'll tell you who killed your father if you give him immunity.""
I stared at the glass.
"He's not getting immunity.""
"I told him that.""
"And?""
"He said he would rather die without telling anyone.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then let him.""
Tiana was quiet.
When she spoke again, her voice sounded different.
Less confident.
Less rehearsed.
"Marcus, there's something you don't understand. Robert didn't arrange your father's death because of the money.""
"I've heard that before.""
"Your father discovered a second identity.""
I turned.
"What identity?""
"Someone had been using your father's name for years after his death.""
I frowned.
"That's impossible.""
"I know how it sounds.""
"Explain it.""
"Your father had opened a private account before he died. Someone continued using that account, signing documents and authorizing transactions under his identity.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She stopped typing.
Tiana continued.
"Robert knew about it. Devon knew about it. And your mother discovered it shortly before she transferred the money.""
I felt a chill.
"Who was using Dad's identity?""
Tiana hesitated.
Then she said:
"Your mother.""
The call ended.
I immediately called Daniel.
"Find my mother.""
"Already trying, sir. Her phone is switched off.""
"Check the house.""
"She's not there.""
"Find her.""
I turned toward Rebecca.
"Can Tiana's story be true?""
Rebecca closed her laptop.
"If your mother had access to the original account, she could have continued operating it under your father's authorization. But we'd need to examine the documents.""
"She transferred three and a half million dollars.""
"Yes.""
"And now she's disappeared.""
Rebecca looked at me carefully.
"Marcus, there's another possibility.""
"What?""
"She may have been protecting the account from someone who knew how to access it.""
I thought about the original trust.
The hidden documents.
The money Devon had moved.
The photograph of Tiana beside Robert.
"Call the bank's fraud department. Get a complete record of every transaction.""
Rebecca nodded.
Then Daniel called.
"Sir, we found your mother.""
"Where?""
"At O'Hare Airport.""
I grabbed my coat.
"Is she alone?""
"Yes.""
"Don't let her board anything. I'll be there.""
I found my mother sitting near the international departures lounge.
She wore a dark coat and held a small leather handbag.
A boarding pass rested on her lap.
When she saw me, she stood.
"Marcus.""
I looked at the ticket.
"Where are you going?""
She lowered her eyes.
"Switzerland.""
"With three and a half million dollars?""
She looked at me.
"I didn't steal that money.""
"Then explain why you transferred it.""
"Because Robert was going to take it.""
"How?""
"He had a power of attorney signed years ago. Your father had never filed the revocation documents.""
I stared at her.
"So you moved the money.""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know who I could trust.""
I shook my head.
"Mom, I'm standing right here.""
She reached for my hand.
"I know. And I'm sorry.""
I pulled away.
"Who was using Dad's identity?""
She looked around before answering.
"Me.""
I froze.
"Why?""
"Your father gave me access to the account shortly before he died. He told me that if anything happened to him, I had to keep it active until the truth came out.""
I stared at her.
"Then why did you let everyone believe he was dead?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Because he was dead.""
"Then how could you use his identity?""
She opened her handbag and removed a document.
It was a notarized authorization.
My father's signature appeared at the bottom.
The date was three days before his death.
"Your father had established a protective account. I was authorized to manage it, but the bank never changed the account's original ownership records.""
I examined the document.
"Why Switzerland?""
"Because Linda Parker found a second set of records there. They identify the person who arranged everything.""
"Who?""
My mother looked at me.
"Your father's business partner.""
"Robert Keller?""
She shook her head.
"Not Robert.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Then who?""
She swallowed.
"Your father had another partner. Someone who disappeared before Reed Global was founded.""
I stared at her.
"Who?""
Before she could answer, someone approached us.
A woman in a gray business suit.
Tiana.
She stopped several feet away.
"Marcus, we need to leave.""
I looked at her.
"You're the last person I want to see.""
"I know.""
"Then go.""
She glanced at my mother.
"Robert's lawyers just obtained an emergency order freezing the trust.""
My mother went pale.
"What?""
Tiana nodded.
"And Devon has filed a petition claiming that the trust was established using fraudulent documents.""
I looked at Rebecca's latest message on my phone.
She had just confirmed it.
The court hearing was scheduled for the following morning.
Tiana stepped closer.
"Marcus, I have the original evidence.""
"Why should I believe you?""
She reached into her handbag and removed a small flash drive.
"Because this is the recording of the meeting where your father was shot.""
I stared at her.
"How did you get it?""
She looked at my mother.
"Linda Parker gave it to her.""
My mother nodded.
"She kept a copy.""
Tiana placed the drive in my hand.
Then she whispered:
"There's one more thing you need to know.""
"What?""
She looked toward the departure gates.
"Robert Keller didn't shoot your father.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"Then who did?""
May you like
Tiana looked me directly in the eyes.
"Your father was shot by the person who is now trying to inherit your company.""
