Chapter 10: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
"That's impossible.""
My voice barely came out.
Margaret stood beside the conference table, staring at the property registration.
Dad grabbed the document.
"Explain yourself.""
Margaret took a breath.
"Daniel Reeves was declared dead twenty-seven years ago. However, the death certificate was based on an identification made after a fire at a private warehouse. His body was never positively identified through DNA.""
I stared at her.
"You're telling me my biological father might be alive?""
"I'm telling you the evidence raises that possibility.""
Dad paced toward the window.
"Who submitted this registration?""
Michael checked his tablet.
"The application came through a private legal office yesterday. It was processed using an old corporate identity that should have been inactive.""
"Who authorized it?""
Michael enlarged the final page.
"An attorney named Daniel Reeves.""
I felt dizzy.
The same name.
The same signature.
The same company that had supposedly been dissolved decades earlier.
Margaret opened the original estate documents.
"There's another problem. If Daniel Reeves is alive, he may have legal claims involving the original partnership.""
Dad turned.
"Not if those claims were settled.""
"They weren't. Your mother-in-law kept the original agreement, but the ownership records were never fully corrected.""
I looked at him.
"Does that mean he can take Grandma's house?""
"No," Dad said firmly.
"Not without establishing a valid legal claim.""
Michael interrupted.
"Mr. Bennett, there's something else.""
He opened a security photograph.
It showed a man entering the property registry building the previous afternoon.
He was tall, with silver hair and a dark overcoat.
His face was partially visible.
Margaret stared at the photograph.
Then she whispered:
"That's him.""
I leaned closer.
"Who?""
"Daniel Reeves.""
I studied the photograph.
The man looked to be in his late fifties.
His features were unfamiliar, but something about his eyes made my chest tighten.
"Can we find him?""
Michael nodded.
"The attorney's office is registered in Connecticut. We have an address.""
Dad immediately called his security director.
"I want a discreet team there. No confrontation. We establish his identity first.""
Then he looked at me.
"You're not going anywhere alone.""
I nodded.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Maya?""
My entire body went still.
"Who's speaking?""
"My name is Daniel Reeves.""
Dad immediately reached for the phone.
Daniel continued.
"I know you've been asking questions about me.""
I swallowed.
"Are you my father?""
There was a long silence.
Then he answered.
"Yes.""
I felt the room disappear around me.
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?""
His breathing changed.
"I didn't know you were told that.""
"Your name is on a property transfer filed yesterday.""
"I know.""
"Did you submit it?""
"No. Someone used my identity.""
Dad took the phone.
"This is Alexander Bennett.""
Daniel went quiet.
"Alexander.""
"You have some explaining to do.""
"I know.""
"Did you know Maya was being targeted?""
Daniel answered immediately.
"Yes.""
Dad's face hardened.
"And you did nothing?""
"I tried to stop it.""
"Then why didn't you contact us?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Because the person organizing this has access to your company, your daughter's financial records, and your security systems.""
Dad looked at Michael.
"Who?""
Daniel's answer was barely audible.
"Robert Hayes.""
Dad closed his eyes.
Daniel continued.
"Charles and Robert have been working together for years. But neither of them is the person who started the scheme.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who did?""
Daniel paused.
"Someone inside your family.""
Dad looked directly at me.
"What are you talking about?""
Daniel's voice softened.
"Alexander, before you ask anything else, there's something Maya needs to know.""
I took the phone.
"What?""
"Your grandmother didn't leave you the Bennett Legacy Fund simply because she trusted you with money.""
"Then why?""
"Because she wanted you to have enough legal authority to expose what happened to her.""
I looked at Margaret.
Daniel continued.
"Twenty-seven years ago, Charles and Robert diverted money from a property partnership. Your grandmother discovered the fraud. She recovered the original records, but before she could expose everyone involved, she was threatened.""
"By whom?""
"Someone who knew exactly how to reach her.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who?""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Your mother.""
The room went silent.
I stared at the phone.
"My mother?""
"She wasn't involved in the theft, Maya. But she knew who was behind it. She was afraid that exposing the truth would put you in danger.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible. Mom died when I was young.""
"I know. And I am sorry.""
Dad took the phone again.
"Daniel, enough. Where are you?""
"I'm at my office. I'll meet you tomorrow.""
"Why not today?""
"Because someone has already been here looking for me.""
A sudden noise sounded on his end.
Then Daniel whispered:
"Alexander, listen. Don't trust anyone who tells you the original trust documents are safe.""
The call disconnected.
Michael immediately called the security team.
A minute later, another notification appeared.
The Connecticut office had been broken into.
Daniel Reeves was missing.
And the only thing left behind was a handwritten note addressed to me.
*MAYA — ASK YOUR FATHER WHAT HE PROMISED YOUR MOTHER BEFORE SHE DIED.*
I turned toward Dad.
He looked as though he'd been struck.
"Dad?""
He didn't answer.
"What's the promise?""
He stared at the note for several seconds.
May you like
Then he finally spoke.
"I promised your mother I would never tell you what really happened on the night she died.""
