Chapter 7: The Woman in the Photograph
I stared at the email until the words began to blur.
*YOUR GRANDFATHER'S REAL HEIR.*
The sender's name was Eleanor Bennett.
My grandfather's sister.
Or at least, that was what the name suggested.
I had never heard of Eleanor.
My grandfather had always told me he was an only child. There were no family reunions, no distant relatives appearing at Christmas, and no stories about childhood siblings.
I turned the photograph over again.
The woman holding the baby had dark hair, delicate features, and the same distinctive green eyes my grandfather and I shared.
"Martin, do you recognize her?""
He leaned closer.
Then his face went pale.
"No.""
"You're sure?""
"I've seen this photograph before.""
I turned sharply.
"When?""
"At your grandfather's funeral. William Rowan had it in his briefcase. I remember asking him who the woman was.""
"What did he say?""
Martin swallowed.
"He told me she was someone Edward had spent his entire life trying to protect.""
I looked back at the email.
There was an attachment.
A scanned birth certificate.
The child's name was Eleanor Elizabeth Bennett.
Mother: Margaret Bennett.
Father: Edward Bennett.
I read the father's name twice.
My grandfather had a daughter.
A daughter he'd never told me about.
"How old is she?"" I whispered.
Martin examined the certificate.
"Older than you. Much older.""
I calculated the dates.
My grandfather had been twenty-four when Eleanor was born.
That meant she'd been somewhere in her sixties.
"Why did he hide her?""
Before Martin could answer, my phone rang again.
Unknown number.
I answered cautiously.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice came through.
"Leah Bennett Rowan?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Eleanor. I've been waiting a long time for you to find that photograph.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Are you my grandfather's daughter?""
There was a long silence.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why didn't he tell me?""
"Because he was afraid of what would happen if William Rowan discovered I was alive.""
I looked toward Martin.
He was listening carefully.
"William Rowan was my grandfather's business partner," I said.
"He was also the man who helped my father hide my existence.""
That made no sense.
"Why would he hide you?""
Eleanor sighed.
"Because my mother was married to another man when I was born. My father wanted to acknowledge me, but doing so would have destroyed several family arrangements. He made a decision he regretted until the day he died.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"And now you're claiming his estate?""
"I'm not claiming anything that belongs to you, Leah. I'm trying to stop someone from stealing it.""
"Who?""
"Grant.""
My stomach tightened.
Eleanor continued.
"Your husband has been searching for a particular document for years. He believes it gives him access to the original Bennett trust.""
"Why would he think that?""
"Because William Rowan told him about it.""
I looked at Martin.
He slowly shook his head.
Eleanor continued.
"Your grandfather left a provision that gives me certain rights as his biological daughter. But those rights were never intended to replace yours. We were both meant to protect the family holdings.""
I sat down.
"Then why did you wait twelve years?""
"Because I was promised that the original trust would remain untouched. I only discovered the fraudulent activity when someone tried to use my father's old authorization to obtain forty-two million dollars.""
I glanced at the document on the table.
"Do you know who submitted it?""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
"William Rowan's former private secretary.""
I frowned.
"She's dead.""
"No, Leah. She disappeared six years ago.""
A sudden noise came from downstairs.
Martin immediately moved toward the library door.
"Stay here.""
I stood.
"What is it?""
He listened.
Footsteps.
Then a man's voice.
"Mrs. Rowan?""
It was David Mercer.
He appeared at the doorway holding his phone.
"Sorry to interrupt, but you need to see this.""
He showed me a photograph taken from the building's security cameras.
A black SUV was parked outside the estate.
A man was standing beside it.
I recognized him immediately.
Richard Cole.
Grant's attorney.
"What is he doing here?""
David looked uncomfortable.
"He's not alone.""
Another person stepped out of the vehicle.
An elderly woman wearing a beige coat.
She looked directly at the camera.
Then she raised a hand and waved.
I stared at the image.
Martin whispered something.
"What?""
He swallowed.
"That's Margaret Cole.""
"Who is Margaret Cole?""
"Richard's mother.""
I looked at him.
"Why does that matter?""
Martin's voice dropped.
"Because she was Edward Bennett's private secretary.""
My phone vibrated.
Another message from Eleanor.
Do not let Margaret enter the house. She has the original document.
I looked toward the staircase.
The front doorbell rang.
May you like
Then a woman's voice echoed through the estate.
"Leah, darling. We finally need to talk.""
