Chapter 14: The Final Trap
The police arrived seven minutes after the lights went out.
By then, whoever had entered through the back of the property was gone.
Two officers searched the backyard while another secured the doors.
Daniel sat at the kitchen table, his hands clasped tightly.
I stood opposite him.
I still couldn't believe he was alive.
But I couldn't forget what he'd done, either.
Richard spoke quietly with one of the officers.
Thomas was reviewing the documents Daniel had brought.
Ethan stood beside Olivia, although he wasn't holding her hand anymore.
Then Daniel finally broke the silence.
“There's something I need to tell you about Harold.””
I turned toward him.
“Start at the beginning.””
Daniel opened his folder.
“Harold Bennett was the attorney who helped establish the original investment company. He also drafted the family trust. He knew exactly how the assets were structured.””
Thomas nodded.
“He handled the legal paperwork for years.””
Daniel continued.
“When I discovered the missing funds, Harold offered to help me investigate. Instead, he gave Vanessa access to the original records.””
Richard frowned.
“So he was involved from the beginning?””
“Yes.””
“Why would he want your money?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Because he believed the trust would eventually be worth more than twenty million dollars.””
I stared at him.
“Twenty million?””
Daniel nodded.
“The original property investments appreciated significantly. The family trust controls several commercial properties and development rights. The current valuation is much higher than the amount we originally discussed.””
Thomas looked stunned.
“Why didn't you tell us?””
“Because I couldn't trust anyone.””
I gave a bitter laugh.
“Apparently, you couldn't trust your own wife, either.””
Daniel lowered his eyes.
I continued.
“You made me live on a modest income while you were supposedly protecting millions of dollars. I worked two jobs. I postponed retirement. I spent $87,000 on Olivia's wedding because I wanted her to have one beautiful day.””
Daniel's face crumpled.
“I didn't know she would do that.””
“You didn't know anything because you weren't here!””
He looked as though he wanted to reach for me.
I stepped away.
“Don't.””
The room fell silent.
Then Daniel removed another document from his folder.
“Harold contacted Olivia six months ago. He told her I had died without properly transferring the trust.””
Olivia looked up.
“He said he could help me get what Dad left me.””
Daniel nodded.
“He used my identity to convince her that she was entitled to immediate access.””
“Why would he need me to become guardian over Mom?”” Olivia asked.
“Because the trust agreement required Margaret's approval for major transfers. If he could make her legally incapable of managing her affairs, he could challenge her authority.””
Thomas looked furious.
“So Vanessa was using Olivia to get control of the trust.””
“Yes. But Harold was directing the operation.””
I stared at the documents.
“And the money?””
Daniel pointed to a bank statement.
“Most of the missing money went through accounts controlled by Harold. Vanessa received a commission. Olivia received smaller payments to keep her cooperating.””
Olivia began sobbing.
“I didn't know he was stealing millions.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You knew you were stealing from your mother.””
She lowered her head.
Nobody spoke.
Then my phone rang.
It was Jonathan Pierce, Daniel's attorney.
I answered.
“Hello?””
“Mrs. Hayes, we have located Harold Bennett.””
Daniel immediately stood.
“Where?””
I put the call on speaker.
Jonathan continued.
“He contacted the trust administrator this afternoon. He claims he has original documents proving Daniel transferred the controlling interest before his disappearance.””
Daniel shook his head.
“I never signed those documents.””
Jonathan replied, “I suspected that. But there's a complication.””
“What complication?”” Richard asked.
“Harold has requested a meeting with all named parties tomorrow morning. He's threatening to release confidential information unless the trust transfer is completed.””
Daniel looked at Thomas.
“Where does he want to meet?””
“At the old investment company's headquarters.””
Daniel nodded.
“I'll go.””
I stepped forward.
“No.””
He looked at me.
“Margaret—”
“You disappeared once. You're not walking into another trap.””
Thomas agreed.
“We should involve the police.””
Jonathan spoke again.
“There's something else. Harold claims he has evidence that could invalidate the entire trust.””
Daniel looked puzzled.
“What evidence?””
“A second will.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
Daniel shook his head.
“I never made a second will.””
Jonathan continued.
“This document names a different beneficiary and removes Margaret as trustee.””
Olivia looked up.
“Who is the beneficiary?””
Jonathan paused.
“Harold Bennett.””
Richard slammed his hand against the table.
“That's absurd!””
Daniel paced across the kitchen.
“He couldn't have created a legitimate will without my authorization.””
“That's what we need to establish,” Jonathan replied.
The call ended.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Ethan approached Olivia.
“I need to ask you something.””
She looked up.
“What?””
“Before today, did you ever intend to marry me?””
Olivia began crying.
“Of course I did.””
“Or did Vanessa tell you to marry into my family because of my father's investments?””
Olivia froze.
Ethan's expression changed.
“Olivia?””
She finally whispered, “Both.””
Ethan closed his eyes.
“I can't do this.””
He removed his wedding ring and placed it on the kitchen table.
“I loved you. But I don't know who you are anymore.””
Olivia reached for him.
“Ethan, please!””
He stepped away.
Richard put an arm around his son.
I looked at my daughter.
For the first time that day, she seemed to understand that the wedding was truly over.
But before anyone could say another word, Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
A distorted male voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel Hayes. It's been a long time.””
Daniel went completely still.
“Harold.””
The man laughed.
“You've caused quite a mess.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“You're going to prison.””
“Perhaps. But not before I collect what's mine.””
“You're not getting the trust.””
Harold chuckled.
“Then perhaps Margaret should know what happened to the original insurance money.””
Daniel's expression changed.
“What are you talking about?””
“The three million dollars wasn't the only payment.””
Daniel said nothing.
Harold continued.
“There's another account. One you never knew existed.””
I stepped closer.
“Who is this?””
Harold laughed.
“Ah, Margaret. The wife who waited twenty-four years.””
Then he said something that made Daniel drop the phone.
“The accident wasn't supposed to kill Daniel. It was supposed to kill you.””
I felt the room tilt.
Daniel caught my arm.
Harold continued through the speaker.
“Tomorrow morning, bring the original trust documents. If you want to know who ordered the attack, come alone.””
The call disconnected.
Daniel looked at me.
“Margaret, I need to tell you something.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
He swallowed.
“The car that forced me off the road that night wasn't targeting me.””
My blood ran cold.
“Then who?””
May you like
Daniel's voice broke.
“You were supposed to be in that car.””
