Chapter 13: The Will That Named My Wife
"The person named in that will is your wife.""
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
I stood outside Emily's hospital room, holding my phone against my ear while Evelyn Shaw waited for my response.
"Repeat that.""
"Victoria Cross is named in the document.""
"You're telling me my wife is responsible if something happens to Emily?""
"I'm telling you what the will says.""
"Where is it?""
"In my possession.""
"Then bring it to me.""
Evelyn hesitated.
"Not over the phone, Alexander. There are things you need to understand before you read it.""
I looked through the glass.
Victoria was sitting beside Emily, helping her arrange the stuffed animals on her bed.
My wife looked exhausted.
She looked like the woman who had spent two years sleeping in hospital chairs, learning how to adjust Emily's prosthetic equipment, and holding our daughter through every painful rehabilitation session.
She couldn't be involved in this.
"Where are you?"" I demanded.
"At a hotel near the airport.""
"Stay there.""
"I can't promise that.""
"Then I'll find you.""
I ended the call.
Marcus was waiting near the elevator.
"Sir?""
"Find Evelyn Shaw. She's carrying a second will from my father.""
His expression tightened.
"Is that the document Arthur was trying to retrieve?""
"I don't know. But I want it.""
Marcus nodded.
"I'll locate her.""
Before he left, I grabbed his arm.
"Marcus, nobody approaches my wife or daughter without my authorization. Nobody. Understand?""
"Absolutely, sir.""
I returned to Emily's room.
Victoria looked up.
"What's wrong?""
I pulled a chair beside her.
"There's something I need to ask you.""
She glanced at Emily.
"Can it wait?""
I looked at our daughter.
She was drawing a picture of herself running through a field.
I lowered my voice.
"Did my father ever ask you to sign anything before he died?""
Victoria froze.
Then she slowly placed the crayons on the table.
"Yes.""
"What?""
"A document concerning Emily's inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your father asked me not to.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did you sign?""
Victoria looked toward Emily.
"A guardianship agreement. He said he wanted to protect her future in case something happened to you.""
I leaned forward.
"Did you agree to become responsible for the estate?""
"No. I agreed to protect Emily's inheritance.""
"Did he mention a second will?""
Victoria nodded.
"He said there was a document that would only become active if the foundation was threatened or if Emily's safety was compromised.""
I stared at her.
"And you never thought to tell me?""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"Alexander, I didn't know what was inside it.""
Before I could respond, Emily called us.
"Daddy, look!""
She held up her drawing.
It showed three people holding hands.
Me.
Victoria.
And Emily.
Above us, she'd drawn a bright yellow sun.
I smiled.
"That's beautiful, sweetheart.""
"Can we put it in your office when I get better?""
"Of course.""
She reached for my hand.
"Promise?""
"I promise.""
Then Victoria quietly asked me to step outside.
Once we were in the hallway, she began crying.
"I know what you're thinking.""
"What?""
"That I kept secrets from you.""
I didn't answer.
She continued.
"Your father came to see me three days before he died. He told me Richard and Arthur were planning something dangerous. He said he had discovered that Daniel was being manipulated.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because he made me promise to wait until the right moment.""
"What right moment?""
Victoria wiped her eyes.
"When the people involved finally tried to take Emily's inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Why would Emily have an inheritance worth protecting?""
Victoria looked at me.
"Because your father transferred most of his private estate into a trust for her.""
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
"How much?""
"Alexander, I don't know the exact amount.""
"Victoria.""
She whispered:
"More than two hundred million dollars.""
I stared at her.
My father had left Emily an enormous inheritance without telling me.
And somehow, Richard, Arthur, and Daniel had built an entire operation around gaining control of it.
My phone vibrated.
Marcus.
"We found Evelyn.""
"Where?""
"She's at a private conference room inside the airport hotel. She has requested to meet you.""
"Send the address.""
Marcus paused.
"Sir, one more thing. We've confirmed Arthur's aircraft never departed.""
"What?""
"Airport authorities stopped the flight after receiving a request to verify its passenger documents.""
"Where is Arthur now?""
"We don't know.""
I looked toward Victoria.
Then my phone received another message.
A photograph.
Arthur Bennett was sitting inside a black sedan.
The photograph had been taken minutes earlier.
Below it was a message:
Come alone if you want to know why your father chose Victoria.
I immediately showed Marcus.
He studied the image.
"Sir, this could be a trap.""
"It probably is.""
"Then don't go.""
I looked at Victoria.
"Find Evelyn. Get that will into the hands of our attorneys.""
"What about you?"" she asked.
"I'm going to find Arthur.""
Victoria grabbed my hand.
"Alexander, please don't let him turn you against me.""
I looked at her.
For the first time, I realized that my father had trusted her with something he hadn't trusted his own sons to protect.
I squeezed her hand.
"I won't.""
Then I turned toward Marcus.
"Let's go.""
As we reached the elevator, my phone rang again.
This time, it was Daniel.
His voice sounded terrified.
"Alexander, don't go looking for Arthur.""
"Why?""
"Because he isn't trying to escape.""
"Then what is he doing?""
Daniel whispered:
"He's going to Emily's school. He says the original evidence is hidden there, and he intends to destroy it before the police find it.""
My blood ran cold.
I looked at Marcus.
"Turn the vehicle around.""
Daniel continued speaking.
"Alexander, there's something else. Arthur told me that Emily's inheritance wasn't the only reason he wanted control of the school.""
"What else?""
"He believes your father left something inside Westbridge that could expose everyone involved.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"What?""
May you like
Daniel's answer was almost inaudible.
"The original recording of your father's last conversation.""
