Chapter 8: My Father's Best Friend Had a Secret
I couldn't move.
Robert Bennett was standing outside the bank with Detective Collins.
And there was a gun in his hand.
Lily grabbed my wrist.
"That's impossible.""
I stared at the monitor.
Robert looked directly toward the security camera.
Then he raised the gun and pointed it at Collins.
The detective stepped backward.
The bank manager hurriedly locked the basement door.
"Stay here," he whispered.
I looked at him.
"What's happening?""
"I don't know. But the police have already called the building.""
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Then someone shouted.
"Federal agents! Everyone remain where you are!""
I turned toward Lily.
"Federal agents?""
She looked just as confused.
The basement door opened.
A tall woman wearing a dark suit entered, followed by two men.
She held up an identification badge.
"I'm Special Agent Rachel Morgan. Nobody move.""
I raised my hands.
"My name is Ethan Walker. I'm not involved in whatever is happening upstairs.""
She studied my face.
"Ethan Walker?""
"Yes.""
She looked at Lily.
"And you must be Lily Morgan.""
Lily nodded.
Agent Morgan motioned toward the notebook.
"Is that what I think it is?""
I held it up.
"Our mother's records.""
The agent exchanged a glance with one of her colleagues.
"We've been looking for those documents for almost a decade.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because they contain evidence of a financial conspiracy involving a sitting judge, a police detective, and several people connected to a construction company.""
I swallowed.
"Does that include Robert Bennett?""
Her expression changed.
"Robert is the reason we're here.""
We were escorted through a private exit.
Outside, Collins was being handcuffed beside the black SUV.
Robert stood several feet away, his hands raised.
The gun was on the pavement.
I rushed toward him.
"Robert!""
He turned.
"Ethan. Thank God.""
I stopped in front of him.
"What are you doing with Collins?""
Robert glanced at the agents.
"Trying to keep him from leaving.""
"Why did you have a gun?""
"Because he pulled his first.""
Collins laughed bitterly.
"Don't believe a word this man says. He's been working with Vanessa from the beginning.""
I looked at Robert.
"Is that true?""
Robert closed his eyes.
Then he nodded.
"Part of it.""
My stomach dropped.
"What?""
Agent Morgan stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, I think it's time you explained your involvement.""
Robert looked at me.
"Your father and I started Walker Construction together. Years ago, we were struggling. We had debts, unpaid contractors, and a company close to bankruptcy.""
I frowned.
"What does that have to do with Vanessa?""
"She was our accountant. She approached us with a proposal to move certain funds through a separate company. She said it was a temporary arrangement to protect the business.""
"And Dad agreed?""
Robert nodded.
"So did I.""
I stepped back.
"You both helped her?""
"At first, we believed it was legal.""
"Then what happened?""
"Your mother discovered the transfers. She confronted William and demanded that he stop.""
I looked at the notebook.
"That's why Dad wrote his name.""
"Yes.""
Robert's voice cracked.
"Your father was ashamed. He knew he'd made a terrible mistake. But Vanessa had already copied the records and begun blackmailing us.""
I stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was trying to protect William.""
"You let me go to prison!""
Robert looked down.
"I know.""
The words landed like a punch.
"Did you know Vanessa framed me?""
"Not at first. I discovered it months after your conviction.""
"Months?""
He nodded.
"And you did nothing?""
"I confronted your father. He was already investigating her. He begged me to stay quiet until we had enough evidence to expose everyone.""
I shook my head.
"Three years, Robert. I lost three years.""
His eyes filled.
"I know, son.""
"Don't call me that.""
He flinched.
Agent Morgan stepped between us.
"Mr. Walker, we need to examine the notebook. It may contain evidence that changes the entire investigation.""
She opened the first pages.
Then she stopped.
Her expression hardened.
"Who wrote this?""
"My mother," Lily answered.
Agent Morgan shook her head.
"No. These entries were added later.""
She pointed to a series of dates.
"These transactions occurred after your mother's death.""
I leaned closer.
The handwriting was different.
But I recognized the initials beside the payments.
H.W.
And one payment was dated only two days before my arrest.
$40,000.
The exact amount I had supposedly stolen.
Agent Morgan turned another page.
There was a photocopy of a transfer authorization.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
I stared.
It was my signature.
But I had never signed that document.
Agent Morgan studied it.
"Do you recognize this account?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
Robert stepped forward.
"That's the account Vanessa used to frame him.""
Agent Morgan looked at him.
"How do you know?""
Robert removed a folded paper from his pocket.
"Because I found the original transfer authorization in William's desk.""
I stared at him.
"You had it this whole time?""
"No. I found it three days ago.""
"Where is the original?""
Robert hesitated.
Then he looked toward the street.
"Vanessa has it.""
A black sedan suddenly screeched around the corner.
The passenger window rolled down.
A woman's hand emerged, holding a small pistol.
"ROBERT!""
Vanessa.
Before anyone could react, a gunshot exploded.
Robert fell to the pavement.
Lily screamed.
I dropped beside him.
"Robert! Stay with me!""
He clutched his side.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Agent Morgan shouted for an ambulance.
The sedan sped away.
I looked at Robert.
His lips were trembling.
He grabbed my wrist.
"Ethan...""
"Don't talk. Help is coming.""
He forced something into my palm.
A tiny brass key.
"Your father's office," he whispered.
"What about it?""
Robert struggled to breathe.
"There's a second safe.""
I leaned closer.
"What second safe?""
His eyes filled with tears.
"The original trust documents aren't the only thing your father hid.""
He coughed.
Then he whispered five words.
"Your mother never died accidentally.""
May you like
My heart stopped.
Before I could ask another question, Robert lost consciousness.
