Chapter 7: The Man Who Knew My Grandmother's Secret
Marcus stared at the caller ID.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
The name displayed on his phone was Thomas Reed.
He hadn't heard that name in twenty-three years.
Thomas had been his mother's personal financial adviser, a quiet man who had attended every major Bennett family meeting. He had disappeared shortly after Eleanor Bennett's death, leaving behind unanswered questions and a resignation letter nobody had ever been able to verify.
Marcus pressed the answer button.
"Thomas?""
A raspy voice answered.
"Hello, Marcus. I imagine you're surprised to hear from me.""
Marcus stood abruptly.
"Where have you been?""
"Somewhere your father couldn't find me.""
My stomach tightened.
Marcus glanced at the document on the table.
"Why are you calling now?""
"Because I received confirmation that Robert's final trust amendment was registered yesterday.""
Marcus looked at James.
James nodded.
Thomas continued.
"That means the original foundation documents are finally being examined. And if you've opened the walnut box, you've probably seen your mother's name.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"How do you know about the box?""
"Because I helped your father prepare it.""
Silence.
Then Marcus asked, "What happened to my mother?""
Thomas exhaled.
"Your father never told you the complete story, did he?""
"No.""
"Then it's time you heard it.""
Marcus switched the phone to speaker.
Everyone gathered around the table.
Even Patricia leaned forward.
Thomas began slowly.
"Your mother, Eleanor, was the financial architect behind Bennett Maritime. Robert was the public face. He understood ships, negotiations, and people. Eleanor understood money, contracts, and long-term investments.""
Marcus stared at the photograph.
"Why did Dad tell me he built everything himself?""
"Because he didn't want you growing up believing you were entitled to something simply because of your last name.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"That doesn't explain why her name disappeared from the company records.""
Thomas paused.
"Because someone wanted it removed.""
Patricia looked at the phone.
"Who?""
Thomas answered immediately.
"Charles Whitmore.""
Patricia's face drained.
"That's impossible.""
"Mrs. Whitmore, I remember you as a little girl. Your father was already working with Charles when your family began having financial difficulties.""
She stood.
"What does my father have to do with this?""
"Your father introduced Charles to Eleanor. He claimed Charles had access to international investment opportunities. Eleanor trusted the introduction.""
Marcus interrupted.
"Get to the point, Thomas.""
"Charles attempted to redirect money from the foundation into a private company. Eleanor discovered the transfers before they were completed.""
Marcus's hands curled into fists.
"And?""
"She confronted him. Two weeks later, she died.""
Nobody spoke.
Noah looked at his father.
"Grandma died because of that man?""
Marcus crouched beside him.
"We don't know that, buddy.""
Thomas's voice softened.
"Your grandmother's death was officially ruled an accident. I cannot tell you anything different without evidence. But I can tell you that she was investigating financial irregularities when she died.""
Patricia covered her mouth.
"My father never told me any of this.""
Thomas continued.
"After Eleanor died, Robert discovered that several original agreements were missing. He spent years trying to reconstruct the foundation's records.""
Marcus looked at the notebook.
"Why didn't he go to the authorities?""
"He tried. But the evidence was incomplete, and the people involved had already moved money through several companies.""
James opened his laptop.
"Do you have copies of those transactions?""
"I have something better.""
There was a pause.
"An original recording.""
Marcus straightened.
"What recording?""
"Your mother left a voice message on my office answering machine three days before she died. I preserved it.""
Patricia shook her head.
"You're saying my father was involved in stealing from the Bennett family?""
Thomas answered quietly.
"I'm saying Eleanor believed he was.""
Marcus looked toward the marina.
The water outside was peaceful.
A yacht rocked gently against its mooring.
It was difficult to imagine that behind the beautiful buildings and polished decks, a twenty-year-old secret had been waiting to surface.
"Thomas," Marcus said, "I want that recording.""
"I'll bring it to you.""
"Where are you?""
"At the old Bennett estate.""
Marcus frowned.
"That's impossible. The estate has been empty for years.""
"Not entirely.""
A strange noise came through the phone.
Then Thomas spoke again.
"Marcus, there's something you need to know before I arrive.""
"What?""
"Charles knows I'm alive.""
Patricia suddenly grabbed her phone.
"How?""
Thomas's voice became urgent.
"Because someone called me last night and offered me money to keep quiet.""
Marcus stood.
"Who called?""
Thomas paused.
Then he answered.
"Your wife.""
Every head turned toward me.
My heart nearly stopped.
Marcus looked at me in disbelief.
"What?""
Thomas quickly corrected himself.
"Not your wife, Marcus. I meant Charles's wife. Patricia.""
Patricia dropped into her chair.
"I never called you!""
Thomas replied, "Then someone is using your identity.""
Marcus looked at James.
"Get the security team to check the call records.""
James immediately began typing.
Patricia shook her head repeatedly.
"I swear I never contacted him.""
Then another message appeared on her phone.
An unknown number.
*STOP ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT ELEANOR BENNETT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR FATHER DID.*
She showed Marcus.
He read it.
Then looked toward the marina entrance.
A black SUV had just pulled into the parking area.
And the man stepping out was carrying a familiar leather briefcase.
Daniel Cross recognized him immediately.
"That's him," Daniel whispered.
Marcus turned.
"Who?""
May you like
Daniel's face became expressionless.
"Charles Whitmore.""
