Chapter 10: The Last Phone Call My Mother Ever Made
"Why were you the last person to speak to Mom before the accident?""
The question hung between my father and me.
Daniel lay motionless in his hospital bed. Richard stood near the window, pretending to examine his tablet.
Dad didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Grandma said you were the last person to speak to her. Is that true?""
He looked down at his hands.
"Yes.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did you talk about?""
Dad pulled a chair toward the bed.
"Your mother called me at 10:42 that night. She was frightened. She told me she'd found evidence that Margaret had been moving money through Whitmore Development.""
"That's what we already know.""
"No, Danielle. There's more.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"She said she'd discovered that someone inside the family had been helping Margaret. She wouldn't tell me who over the phone.""
"Why?""
"She believed her calls were being monitored.""
I glanced at Daniel.
My brother closed his eyes.
Dad continued.
"Your mother asked me to meet her at the old family property. I told her I couldn't leave because I was attending an important business dinner.""
"Did you go?""
"No.""
"Did you send someone?""
He shook his head.
I felt tears gathering.
"Then what happened?""
"She called again at 11:18. She said someone was following her.""
My hands began trembling.
"What did you do?""
"I told her to drive to the nearest police station. She said she couldn't because the person following her knew where you were.""
I looked at him.
"Where was I?""
"At home. With Daniel and your grandmother.""
I turned toward my brother.
He opened his eyes.
"Danielle, I was twelve. Grandma told me Mom was coming home late.""
Dad continued.
"Your mother said she had something important to tell me about the inheritance. Then the call dropped.""
"And you didn't call the police?""
"I called her back. No answer. I contacted her assistant, but by then—"
He stopped.
"By then, what?""
"The police had already found her car.""
I felt the air leave my lungs.
For fourteen years, I'd believed my mother had died because of a wet road and a careless turn.
Now I was learning that she'd been frightened, followed, and begging her husband for help.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Dad's eyes filled.
"Because I couldn't bear the thought that I had failed her.""
I looked away.
His explanation didn't make the silence any easier to forgive.
Daniel suddenly spoke.
"There's something else.""
We turned toward him.
He struggled to sit up.
"Grandma told me that night that Mom had been driving to the police station.""
Dad frowned.
"What?""
"She said Mom was taking documents to the authorities. She told me it was a family emergency and that I shouldn't repeat anything.""
My voice cracked.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"I was scared.""
"You were twelve.""
"I know.""
He started crying.
"Grandma told me that if I talked about what happened, Dad would lose the company and we'd lose everything. I believed her.""
Dad stared at his son.
"Daniel, did you see your mother that night?""
My brother hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"Yes.""
The room went silent.
"Where?"" I whispered.
"In the driveway.""
My heart pounded.
Daniel wiped his eyes.
"She came home briefly. She was carrying a brown envelope. Grandma met her at the door.""
"What happened?""
"They argued. Mom said the documents had to be delivered before midnight. Grandma told her she was making a terrible mistake.""
Dad stood.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?""
Daniel looked at him.
"Because Grandma said you already knew.""
I felt sick.
Then Daniel reached toward the bedside table.
"There was a recording.""
"What recording?"" Dad asked.
"Mom's phone. She left it in the car before she drove away. I found it the next morning.""
I stared at him.
"You had a recording for fourteen years?""
He shook his head.
"No. Grandma took the phone. But I secretly copied one file onto an old computer before she destroyed it.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Do you still have access to that computer?""
Daniel nodded.
"It's in storage. At the Brooks family property.""
Dad immediately called security.
"Find it. Bring it here.""
But before Richard could leave, my phone rang.
An unfamiliar woman introduced herself.
"Ms. Brooks, my name is Detective Laura Mitchell. I'm investigating the financial fraud involving Whitmore Development.""
I straightened.
"Yes?""
"We've received a report concerning your grandmother and the circumstances surrounding your mother's death.""
My grip tightened.
"What report?""
"A former employee has contacted us. She claims she witnessed a confrontation between Margaret Brooks and your mother on the night of the accident.""
Dad stepped closer.
"Who is the employee?""
The detective hesitated.
"Her name is Patricia Wells. She worked as your grandmother's personal assistant.""
I looked at Dad.
"Is she safe?""
"We believe so. But she has requested to speak directly with you.""
"Why me?""
The detective paused.
"Because she says your mother left something specifically for you.""
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Then she added:
"And she says Margaret knows the evidence has survived.""
