Chapter 4: The Message About My Husband's Death
I read the message three times.
Mrs. Bennett, stop asking questions. Your son doesn't know the whole story about the night Walter died.
My fingers trembled around the phone.
Walter had been dead for eleven months. His death certificate said cardiac arrest. The doctors had told me his heart simply gave out.
I'd accepted that explanation because I had no reason to question it.
Until now.
“Margaret?”” Robert asked.
“What's wrong?””
I handed him my phone.
He read the message, and his expression hardened.
“Don't respond.””
Daniel leaned over his shoulder.
“What does it say?””
I pulled the phone back.
“Someone says you don't know the whole story about the night your father died.””
Daniel went completely still.
“What?””
“You heard me.””
He stared at the screen.
“I don't know who sent that.””
“Then why do you look frightened?””
“Because someone is trying to destroy my life!””
Tiffany suddenly grabbed her purse.
“I'm leaving.””
Robert stepped in front of her.
“No, you're not.””
“Get out of my way!””
“Not until we understand why your former husband received fifty thousand dollars from my company.””
Tiffany shoved his shoulder.
“Your money isn't my problem!””
Robert didn't move.
“My company is now part of a fraudulent property transaction. It became my problem the moment your name appeared on the documents.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Tell me what happened the night your father died.””
He rubbed his hands against his trousers.
“Mom, this isn't the time.””
“When is the time? After someone sells my house? After another document appears with my signature?””
“Dad had a heart attack. You know that.””
“I know what the hospital told me. I'm asking what YOU know.””
He swallowed.
“I wasn't there when it happened.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“You were visiting Aunt Susan. I was the one who went to the house after Dad called me.””
My stomach tightened.
“Walter called you?””
Daniel nodded.
“He said he needed to talk to me about something important.””
“What?””
“I don't remember.””
“You don't remember a conversation with your dying father?””
“Mom, it was eleven months ago!””
I took a step closer.
“Did you argue?””
Daniel looked toward Tiffany.
That tiny movement told me more than any answer could.
“Daniel?””
He finally spoke.
“Dad was angry about money.””
“What money?””
“Nothing. It was business.””
I could barely recognize my son's voice.
Robert placed his phone on the table.
“I'm calling my attorney. Nobody should leave until we preserve these documents and establish where that money went.””
Tiffany laughed bitterly.
“You people are unbelievable.””
She pulled out her own phone.
I noticed her fingers moving quickly across the screen.
Then my phone vibrated again.
Another message.
Ask Daniel why Walter's telephone called emergency services at 9:42 p.m., but the call wasn't answered until 10:17 p.m.
My breath caught.
I remembered that night.
I remembered Daniel calling me at 10:30, saying he'd found his father unconscious.
I remembered the ambulance arriving.
I remembered the paramedics working on Walter in the living room while Daniel stood outside on the porch.
But I hadn't known about the first emergency call.
“How did you know?”” I whispered.
Robert took the phone.
“What does it say?””
I read the message aloud.
Daniel's face turned gray.
“That's ridiculous.””
“Is it?””
“Dad's phone was always acting up.””
“Then why was emergency services called?””
“I don't know!””
I stared at him.
“You just told me you were there.””
“I said I went to the house!””
Robert slowly approached Daniel.
“What time did you arrive?””
“I'm not answering questions like this.””
“Why not?””
“Because you're not my father!””
Robert's jaw tightened.
“No, I'm the father of the woman who may have helped steal from Margaret.””
Tiffany slapped the table.
“Enough!””
A security guard appeared at the doorway.
Mr. Reynolds followed him.
“Mrs. Bennett, I've secured the original invoices and authorization records. My office will retain copies for the authorities.””
I nodded.
“Thank you.””
Then I turned toward Daniel.
“You're going to tell me the truth.””
He looked at me with wet eyes.
“I can't.””
Those three words crushed something inside me.
I stepped back.
“Then you're not going to be able to ask me for anything again.””
His phone began ringing.
He looked at the screen.
The caller ID displayed a name.
*JASON MILLER.*
Tiffany lunged toward him.
“DON'T ANSWER THAT!””
Daniel stared at his wife.
Then he pressed the green button.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel? I heard your wedding reception went badly.””
Daniel's lips parted.
“Jason?””
The man chuckled.
“Listen carefully. Don't tell Margaret what happened that night. Not unless you're ready to explain why you left her husband lying on the floor.””
May you like
Daniel dropped the phone.
And I realized the man who had allegedly forged my medical certificate knew exactly how my husband had died.
