Chapter 13: The Father Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
"Your father?""
I stared at Grace.
"Mom, Richard Callaway has been dead for six years.""
Grace shook her head.
"Richard is dead. But the man behind these messages is someone who knows everything Richard knew.""
Nathaniel took my phone and examined the photograph.
"Could this be Daniel?""
"No," Grace whispered.
"Daniel never knew Catherine's real name.""
Detective Brooks immediately called his team.
"Get me the location of that photograph. I want the Brooklyn address traced, and I want officers there before we arrive.""
Grace grabbed his sleeve.
"Don't send uniformed officers. Whoever is doing this has people watching the police.""
Brooks frowned.
"Mrs. Carter, we can't simply ignore a threat.""
"Then don't ignore it. Just don't announce your arrival.""
Nathaniel turned toward his mother.
"Who is Catherine Callaway?""
Eleanor had been standing silently near the hospital door.
She finally spoke.
"She was Richard's daughter.""
"His daughter with whom?""
Eleanor looked at Grace.
"With me.""
The room became silent.
Nathaniel stared at her.
"You had another child with Father?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Before you were born, Richard and I had a daughter. Her name was Catherine. She died when she was four months old.""
Grace closed her eyes.
"That's what Richard told you.""
Eleanor looked up sharply.
"What?""
"Your daughter didn't die. She was the fourth child born that night. Richard took her from the hospital and changed her identity.""
Eleanor's knees weakened.
"No.""
Grace continued.
"He told you she had a heart condition. He showed you a death certificate. But I saw her years later.""
"Where?""
"At a private residence in Connecticut. She was alive. She had been adopted by a woman Richard trusted.""
Eleanor began crying.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Richard threatened to kill her if I did.""
Nathaniel walked toward the window.
"So the woman in the photograph is our sister?""
Grace nodded.
"Yes. Catherine survived.""
"Then who is pretending to be Richard?""
Grace took my phone and enlarged the photograph.
"Look at the reflection in the glass.""
I leaned closer.
A man's silhouette was visible behind the person holding the camera.
He was wearing a dark suit.
His face was partially obscured, but I recognized the shape of his shoulders.
Nathaniel did too.
"Marcus.""
The head of security.
The man who had helped save Eleanor at the wedding.
The man who had brought the security footage.
The man who had been standing beside us every time another secret emerged.
Detective Brooks immediately checked his phone.
"Marcus was assigned to protect your mother after the wedding.""
Nathaniel looked horrified.
"He's been with our family for twelve years.""
Grace whispered, "Richard hired him.""
Nathaniel's phone rang.
Marcus.
He answered without hesitation.
"Where are you?""
Marcus sounded calm.
"At the estate, sir. I've been trying to reach you.""
"Why?""
"There's been a development. I found something in your father's study.""
Nathaniel looked at me.
"What?""
"A sealed letter. It has your name on it.""
"Don't touch anything.""
A pause.
Then Marcus said, "I'm afraid it's already too late.""
The line went dead.
Brooks grabbed his coat.
"We're moving.""
Within minutes, we were on our way to the Callaway estate.
I sat beside Grace in the back of the police vehicle.
She held my hand the entire journey.
"Mom, why did Richard keep doing this?""
"Because he believed people were possessions. He wanted an heir, a perfect family, and complete control. Every person who challenged him became a problem to remove.""
"And Marcus?""
"He was one of Richard's employees. He handled the arrangements Richard didn't want connected to the company.""
When we arrived, the estate was dark.
The front door stood open.
Brooks signaled his officers to spread out.
Nathaniel entered first.
"Marcus!""
No answer.
We found him in Richard's study.
He was standing beside the fireplace, holding a glass of whiskey.
On the desk sat an envelope.
Marcus smiled.
"Good evening, Mr. Callaway.""
Nathaniel stepped forward.
"Put the glass down.""
"Your father used to say the same thing.""
"You're finished, Marcus.""
Marcus laughed.
"Am I?""
Brooks raised his weapon.
"Hands where I can see them.""
Marcus placed the glass on the desk.
Then he looked at Grace.
"Mrs. Carter. You look remarkably well for someone who was supposed to be dead.""
Grace moved closer to me.
"You helped Richard steal my children.""
"I followed orders.""
"You helped him destroy my family.""
Marcus shrugged.
"Your family destroyed itself.""
Nathaniel grabbed the envelope.
Marcus immediately reached inside his jacket.
Brooks shouted.
"Don't move!""
A gunshot exploded.
The bullet struck the desk.
Nathaniel ducked as officers rushed Marcus and forced him to the floor.
But Marcus was laughing.
Even after the handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
"You think arresting me changes anything?""
Brooks pulled him upright.
"Tell me where Daniel Carter is.""
Marcus smiled.
"Brooklyn.""
"Is he alive?""
"Ask the man who shot him.""
My heart stopped.
"Who shot him?""
Marcus looked at Nathaniel.
"Your father.""
Nathaniel's expression changed.
"Richard is dead.""
Marcus leaned closer.
"Not the father you think.""
Then he looked at Grace.
"Tell them about the adoption, Mrs. Carter.""
Grace went pale.
Marcus continued.
"Tell them why Nathaniel was never supposed to inherit the Callaway fortune.""
Brooks dragged him toward the door.
Nathaniel opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Richard Callaway standing beside a young man.
The young man was wearing a security uniform.
He looked exactly like Nathaniel.
Except for one detail.
He had a scar running down his right cheek.
On the back of the photograph were five words:
Your father has another son.
May you like
And beneath them was a name.
*Daniel Callaway.*
