Chapter 9: The Man Who Had Two Identities
The security manager's name was Frank Dalton.
At least, that was the name printed on his hotel identification card.
He had worked at the Whitmore Grand for fifteen years, starting as a night guard before Daniel promoted him to head of security.
He was the kind of employee nobody questioned.
He knew every corridor, every camera, every service entrance.
He also knew exactly where Room 1704 was located.
And according to Detective Miller, he had been using another identity for more than a decade.
"His real name is Michael Reed," Miller explained as we drove toward the hotel.
Daniel stared at him.
"Reed?""
"Yes. He's Vanessa's maternal uncle.""
Daniel turned toward the window.
"So the man I trusted to protect my hotel has been working for her family.""
"That's what the evidence suggests.""
Margaret remained at the apartment with two officers.
Before we left, she had given Daniel one final warning.
"Don't believe anyone who tells you this is over.""
Now, as we approached the hotel, Daniel looked exhausted.
"Emily, do you remember when I promoted Frank?""
"Yes, sir.""
"He told me he had served in the military and wanted a stable job.""
I nodded.
"He was always very kind to the staff.""
Daniel gave a humorless laugh.
"Apparently, I have been a terrible judge of character.""
I didn't answer.
We entered through the underground parking garage.
Detective Miller's officers were already positioned near the elevators.
The hotel's general manager, Patricia Collins, hurried toward us.
"Mr. Whitmore!""
Daniel stopped.
"Where is Frank?""
Patricia looked frightened.
"Upstairs. He said there was a security issue in the executive suite.""
"Did you see him enter?""
"Yes. About forty minutes ago.""
Miller showed her a photograph.
"Is this the same man?""
Patricia nodded.
"Yes. That's Frank.""
"Did he leave?""
"I haven't seen him.""
Miller turned to the officers.
"Secure the stairwells and elevators.""
We took the service elevator to the seventeenth floor.
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
Room 1704 stood at the far end.
Its door was open.
A small table lamp illuminated the room.
No one was inside.
Daniel entered first.
"Frank?""
Nothing.
The room smelled faintly of cigarette smoke and expensive cologne.
The furniture was covered with white protective sheets.
Daniel looked around.
"I haven't used this suite in years.""
Miller examined the walls.
"Mrs. Whitmore said there was a hidden safe.""
Daniel approached the bedroom.
"The wall behind the headboard.""
He pulled aside a framed painting.
Behind it was a section of wallpaper that didn't match the rest.
I remembered Matthew's message.
Ask for the wall that doesn't match.
Daniel pressed against the panel.
Nothing happened.
He tried again, this time near the lower corner.
A soft click sounded.
The panel opened.
Behind it was a small steel compartment.
Inside were several envelopes, a stack of photographs, and an old portable recording device.
Miller photographed everything before removing the contents.
Daniel picked up the first envelope.
His name was written across the front.
*TO DANIEL — OPEN ONLY WHEN YOU KNOW THE TRUTH.*
He opened it.
Inside was a letter from his father.
The first sentence made him close his eyes.
My son, if you are reading this, I have failed to protect you.
Daniel began reading aloud.
"Your biological mother, Elena, was not the woman you were told she was. I made a mistake that destroyed several lives, and I spent the rest of my life trying to hide it.""
He stopped.
I watched him turn the page.
Vanessa's mother is Elena. Vanessa knows you are her half-brother. She has known since she was seventeen.
Daniel looked at Detective Miller.
"Why would my father write this?""
Miller examined the letter.
"Keep reading.""
Daniel continued.
I also need you to understand that Matthew did not die because of a medical accident. I was told the medication would make him ill enough to leave the company. I never intended for him to die.
Daniel's voice broke.
He lowered the letter.
"What?""
Miller took it from him.
The next paragraph was worse.
Richard assured me the dosage was safe. Vanessa was the one who insisted on changing it. By the time I understood what had happened, Matthew was already dead.
Daniel looked physically sick.
"My father knew?""
"Apparently," Miller replied.
"And he did nothing?""
The detective didn't answer.
I noticed another envelope inside the compartment.
It was addressed to Detective Miller.
I handed it over.
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph of Richard Hayes standing beside Frank Dalton.
The date was printed beneath it.
Three days ago.
On the back, Matthew had written:
*THEY ARE PLANNING TO FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED.*
Miller immediately called his officers.
"Find Frank Dalton. He may be armed.""
A sudden noise came from the bathroom.
Everyone turned.
"Police!"" Miller shouted.
The bathroom door slammed.
An officer rushed forward, but before he could reach it, the lights went out.
Someone grabbed my arm.
I screamed.
A hand covered my mouth.
Then a voice whispered against my ear.
"Don't move, Emily.""
I recognized the voice.
Frank.
He dragged me backward into the bathroom.
I kicked against the floor, trying to break free.
"Let her go!"" Daniel shouted.
A gun clicked.
Frank stepped into the dim light coming from the hallway.
He held a pistol against my side.
Daniel stopped.
Frank smiled.
"Always the hero, Mr. Whitmore.""
Miller raised his weapon.
"Put it down!""
Frank tightened his grip.
"Not until you give me the folder.""
Daniel looked at the evidence.
"Which folder?""
Frank laughed.
"The one Matthew hid. The original ownership documents.""
Miller kept his weapon raised.
"You're not leaving this building.""
Frank leaned closer to me.
"That's what everyone said eleven years ago.""
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you really?""
Frank smiled.
"Ask your father.""
Then he looked at me.
"Because your waitress has no idea what Matthew actually put inside that storage unit.""
My heart pounded.
"What are you talking about?""
Frank's smile widened.
"The documents are important, Emily. But the real evidence is the recording you made eleven months ago.""
I froze.
The recording?
The one Matthew had given to Richard?
Frank continued.
"It contains the last conversation between Matthew and Daniel.""
Daniel looked confused.
"I never spoke to Matthew that night.""
Frank shook his head.
"That's what they made you believe.""
Then he pulled a small device from his jacket and pressed a button.
A familiar voice filled the bathroom.
Daniel's voice.
Angry.
Frightened.
And unmistakably his.
"Matthew, if you tell anyone what happened to our mother, I'll make sure you never leave this hotel alive.""
Daniel staggered backward.
"No.""
Frank laughed.
"Now do you remember, Mr. Whitmore?""
The recording continued.
Then another voice spoke.
Matthew.
"Daniel, please. You don't understand what Richard has done to you.""
A loud crash followed.
Then silence.
Daniel stared at the device.
May you like
His face had gone completely white.
And for the first time that night, even Detective Miller seemed unsure who the real victim was.
