Chapter 10: The Secret My Father Took to His Grave
I called my mother seventeen times.
She didn't answer once.
By the time Sarah finished contacting the local police to request a welfare check, I was pacing her office with Piper in my arms and Poppy asleep in her carrier.
"Something happened to her," I whispered.
Sarah placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We don't know that yet. Let's not assume the worst.""
Rebecca stood near the window, watching the parking lot.
"Emily, your mother may be frightened. If Daniel knows she has that recording, he might try to get it back.""
I looked at her.
"He's my brother. He wouldn't hurt her.""
Neither woman answered.
That silence frightened me more than anything they could have said.
At 4:26 p.m., my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
"Mrs. Carter?""
"Yes?""
"This is Officer Reynolds with the Miami Police Department. We've located your mother.""
I nearly dropped the phone.
"Is she okay?""
"She's physically unharmed. However, we'd like you to come to the station. She's made a statement involving suspected financial fraud and a possible attempt to obtain unauthorized access to a family trust.""
I closed my eyes.
"Can I speak to her?""
"She's asking to speak with you in person.""
Sarah immediately offered to accompany me.
An hour later, I walked into a small interview room.
My mother sat at the table.
Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were swollen from crying.
When she saw me, she stood.
"Emily.""
I didn't move.
"Tell me what happened.""
She looked down.
"Daniel came to my house this morning. He wanted the USB drive.""
"Did you give it to him?""
"No.""
"What happened?""
"He became angry. He said Dad had no right to leave that information behind. Then he started searching the house.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did he hurt you?""
"No. But he threatened to tell everyone I had helped Tyler forge the documents.""
My mother lowered her head.
"He said if I didn't give him the recording, he'd make sure I went to prison.""
I sat opposite her.
"Mom, why did you help them?""
She began crying.
"Because I was scared.""
"Of what?""
"Daniel owed money. A lot of money. He told me Tyler had offered to help him. He said the money came from a legitimate property transaction.""
"And you believed him?""
"I wanted to.""
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a small envelope.
"I found this hidden inside your father's old desk. It was addressed to you.""
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a handwritten note.
My darling Emily,
If you are reading this, something has happened that I hoped would never happen. I have tried to protect you without interfering in your marriage. But I need you to understand that love should never require you to surrender your judgment.
I swallowed hard.
The letter continued.
Tyler approached me several months ago asking whether I would release part of your inheritance early. He said you were struggling financially. When I refused, he became angry.
I stopped reading.
My father had never told me.
I later discovered that Daniel had been providing Tyler with information about the trust. I confronted your brother. He denied everything, but I no longer trusted his explanations.
My mother covered her mouth.
I kept reading.
There is one thing I have not told you. On the night I was hospitalized, Daniel visited me alone. He brought documents for me to sign. I refused.
My fingers went numb.
My father had died after suffering a sudden cardiac event.
The hospital had told us it was a massive heart attack.
I continued.
I heard Daniel arguing with someone in the hallway afterward. I couldn't identify the second person, but I recognized the voice. It belonged to someone I had trusted for years.
The letter ended before naming anyone.
I looked at my mother.
"Did you know about this?""
She nodded slowly.
"Your father told me before he died. He said he had recorded something that might explain everything.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Daniel convinced me your father had been confused by his medication. He said the letter was part of his illness.""
I stared at her.
"And you believed him?""
She began sobbing harder.
"I lost your father, Emily. I was terrified of losing Daniel too.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I took her hand.
"Mom, I need the truth. All of it.""
She nodded.
"Your father had a business partner before he retired. A man named Richard Cole.""
I froze.
Richard.
The same man who had contacted me.
My mother continued.
"Richard and your father had a dispute over an investment. Your father discovered Richard had been moving money between accounts without authorization.""
Sarah, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward.
"Do you know what happened to that money?""
My mother shook her head.
"Only that your father intended to report him.""
I felt a chill.
"Then Richard approached Vanessa. Vanessa approached Tyler. And Daniel helped them.""
Sarah nodded slowly.
"That would explain the connections. But we still need evidence.""
My mother reached into her bag again.
This time, she produced a small silver USB drive.
"Your father told me to give this to you if anything happened.""
I stared at it.
"Is this the recording?""
"Yes.""
Sarah took it carefully.
"We'll have it examined and preserved properly.""
Before we left, my mother grabbed my hand.
"Emily, there's something else.""
I looked at her.
"Daniel wasn't the only person who visited your father that night.""
My chest tightened.
"Who else?""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"Tyler.""
I felt the room go silent.
"Tyler was at the hospital?""
She nodded.
"He arrived less than an hour before your father died. And when he left, your father was crying.""
I couldn't breathe.
"Why?""
May you like
My mother looked toward the door.
"Because Tyler told him something that made your father believe you and your unborn children were in danger.""
