Chapter 5: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Daniel's phone lay on the carpet, still connected.
A man's voice continued coming through the speaker.
“Daniel? Are you there?””
I bent down and picked it up.
“Who are you?””
The voice went silent.
Then came a short laugh.
“Mrs. Bennett. I've been expecting your call.””
My heart pounded.
“You're Jason Miller?””
“That's right.””
“Why did you put my name on a medical certificate?””
“I think you should speak to your son about that.””
“I am speaking to you now.””
He sighed.
“Margaret, your family has been hiding things from you for a long time. You should be careful about believing Daniel.””
I looked at my son.
He was staring at the carpet, his face almost colorless.
“What happened the night Walter died?”” I demanded.
Jason paused.
“Ask Daniel about the blue envelope.””
“What blue envelope?””
“The one your husband was holding when he collapsed.””
Daniel suddenly lunged toward the phone.
“SHUT UP!””
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
“What blue envelope?””
Daniel dragged both hands through his hair.
“Mom, please. Jason is lying.””
“Then explain what he meant.””
“Dad had some papers. That's all.””
“What papers?””
“I don't know.””
“You're telling me your father was dying, and all you remember is that he had papers?””
Daniel began crying.
Tiffany moved toward him.
“Daniel, stop talking. You're letting them manipulate you.””
Robert turned sharply.
“Why are you so afraid of what he might say?””
“Because you're all attacking us!””
“No,” Robert replied.
“We're asking questions you refuse to answer.””
I looked toward Mr. Reynolds.
“Please call the police. I want to report the forged documents and the unauthorized financial activity.””
He nodded.
“Already requested, Mrs. Bennett. They'll need copies of the records.””
Tiffany's face changed.
“You're calling the police over a family disagreement?””
I looked at her.
“You slapped me, stole my identity, and helped submit documents claiming I was mentally incapable of controlling my own property. This stopped being a family disagreement a long time ago.””
She turned toward Linda.
“Mom, say something!””
Linda didn't move.
Robert looked at his wife.
“Linda, I need you to tell me the truth. Did you witness Margaret signing that power of attorney?””
Linda's eyes filled with tears.
“I was told Margaret had agreed.””
“By whom?””
She looked at Daniel.
Then she looked at Tiffany.
“I don't know anymore.””
Before anyone could speak again, my phone rang.
The caller was someone I hadn't spoken to in months.
Helen Price.
Walter's estate attorney.
I answered immediately.
“Margaret? Are you all right?””
“No, Helen. I need your help.””
“What happened?””
I briefly explained the documents, the loan application, the property sale, and the messages about Walter's death.
Helen became very quiet.
Finally, she said something unexpected.
“Margaret, do not sign anything. And don't let Daniel remove any documents from your possession.””
“I wasn't planning to.””
“There is something I need to tell you.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“Walter came to my office two days before he died.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why?””
“He was concerned about Daniel's financial situation. He believed someone was pressuring your son to obtain money against the property.””
I looked at Daniel.
He had stopped crying.
“Did Walter tell you who?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
Helen hesitated.
“Tiffany.””
I watched my daughter-in-law's face go completely blank.
Helen continued.
“Walter also told me he'd discovered documents with your signature that he believed were forged.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I tried to contact you after the funeral. Daniel told me you were too distressed to discuss financial matters and that he was handling everything.””
I turned toward my son.
He couldn't meet my eyes.
Helen's voice grew quieter.
“Margaret, Walter left instructions with me. He wanted you to receive a sealed envelope if anyone attempted to transfer the land without your written authorization.””
“What was inside?””
“A letter, an original property record, and a digital recording.””
My knees weakened.
“A recording of what?””
“I haven't listened to it. Walter specifically instructed that it remain sealed until you requested it.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Can you bring it to me?””
“I'm driving to the venue now. Give me twenty minutes.””
“Please hurry.””
I ended the call.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Mom, what did Helen say?””
I looked at him.
“She has something your father left for me.””
His eyes widened.
“What?””
“A letter. And a recording.””
For the first time since this entire nightmare began, Daniel looked genuinely terrified.
Tiffany grabbed his arm.
“We need to go.””
Robert moved toward the doorway.
“Neither of you is going anywhere with those documents unresolved.””
Tiffany turned on him.
“I'm your daughter!””
“And Margaret was a woman who trusted us with her family's future. Apparently, we didn't deserve that trust.””
Linda began sobbing.
“I never wanted it to go this far.””
I slowly faced her.
“How far did you think it would go?””
She covered her mouth.
Nobody answered.
Then Daniel walked toward me.
“Mom, whatever Dad recorded, you need to understand something.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
He lowered his voice.
“Dad wasn't planning to leave you alone with the property.””
“What are you talking about?””
Daniel glanced toward Tiffany.
“He said he'd already changed something in his will.””
My heart began pounding again.
“What did he change?””
May you like
Daniel swallowed.
“He removed me.””
