Chapter 4: The Brother Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
I stared at Daniel, waiting for him to explain what he had just said.
"Your father's brother?"" I repeated.
Daniel nodded.
"Richard Bennett.""
I shook my head.
"No. Richard died before your father. There was a funeral. Thomas attended it.""
"That's what Dad told you.""
The words landed like stones.
I turned toward David Collins.
"Can you freeze that footage?""
"Already done, Mrs. Bennett.""
I looked back at my son.
"Daniel, your father never had a brother named Richard. He had a younger brother named Michael, and Michael died in a car accident when you were a child.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Mom, Michael was Dad's half-brother. Richard was his older brother. They had different mothers.""
I felt my knees weaken.
"Why have I never heard of him?""
Daniel looked down.
"Because Dad didn't want you to.""
Robert Whitaker suddenly cleared his throat.
"This is getting ridiculous. We have a wedding to finish.""
I turned toward him.
"You're not leaving until someone explains why my signature is on a document authorizing $68,000.""
Robert picked up his phone.
"I have a family to attend to.""
David stepped toward the door.
"Sir, the hotel has retained the relevant financial records. Nobody is being detained, but I would appreciate everyone's cooperation.""
Robert gave him a contemptuous look.
"Do you know how much money my family spends at establishments like this?""
David didn't blink.
"Tonight, sir, the question is how much money was taken from Mrs. Bennett's account.""
For the first time, Robert had nothing to say.
Daniel pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Mom, Dad told me about Richard two months before he died.""
I stared at him.
"Two months?""
"He made me promise not to tell you.""
"Why?""
Daniel looked toward the paused security footage.
"Because Richard had been stealing from him.""
I felt a cold sensation spread through my chest.
Thomas had always been careful with money. He ran a small construction company and kept meticulous records. He wasn't wealthy, but he had worked hard enough to leave us a comfortable life.
"What did Richard steal?""
"Money from the business. Dad said it was more than $200,000. He confronted him, and they had a terrible argument.""
"Why didn't your father report him?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Because Richard threatened to expose something.""
"What?""
"I don't know everything. Dad said Richard had documents proving that some of the company's property had been transferred incorrectly.""
I slowly sat down.
The land I had sold to help pay for the wedding suddenly seemed much more important than it had that morning.
"Daniel, what does this have to do with my land?""
He looked at me.
"Everything.""
Before he could continue, Tiffany slammed her palm against the desk.
"Can we stop pretending this is some family mystery? The wedding is falling apart!""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Tiffany, please.""
"No! My guests are standing in a ballroom with no food, no drinks, and no music. My father has been insulted. And now you're discussing a dead man's brother?""
David opened the folder again.
"Mrs. Whitaker, there is a matter concerning your signature that we haven't addressed.""
Tiffany froze.
"My signature?""
He removed a printed document.
"Your name appears as the receiving party on the $68,000 authorization.""
Robert stepped forward.
"That's enough.""
David continued.
"The document states that the funds were intended for a private event services company called Whitaker Event Holdings.""
Tiffany's face went pale.
I looked at her.
"Your family's company?""
She quickly shook her head.
"It's just a business name.""
Robert's voice became sharp.
"Tiffany, don't answer anything else.""
I slowly turned toward him.
"Why are you telling your daughter not to answer?""
He glared at me.
"Because you're clearly trying to blame everyone but yourself.""
Daniel stood up.
"Mr. Whitaker, why is your daughter's name on the payment authorization?""
Robert pointed a finger at him.
"Watch your tone. You're married into this family now.""
Daniel looked at Tiffany.
"Did you know about the $68,000?""
She didn't answer.
"Did you know someone used Mom's payment information?""
Tiffany's eyes filled with tears.
"Daniel, you're supposed to be on my side.""
He stared at her.
"I'm asking you a question.""
She turned away.
David's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and then looked directly at me.
"Mrs. Bennett, security has identified the man in the footage.""
"Who is he?""
David glanced at Daniel.
"His name is Richard Bennett.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
Then David added something that made the room go silent.
"He wasn't just delivering the authorization. He checked into the hotel yesterday under a different name.""
I gripped the desk.
"Is he still here?""
David nodded.
"According to the registration records, he has a room on the third floor.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Mom, we need to find him.""
But before anyone could move, another voice came from the doorway.
"There's no need to find me.""
A tall man in a charcoal suit stood there.
He had silver hair, a narrow face, and the same deep-set eyes as my late husband.
He smiled at Daniel.
"Hello, nephew.""
Then he looked at me.
"Margaret. It's been a long time.""
I couldn't breathe.
Because I recognized the silver watch on his wrist.
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It was the watch Thomas had worn every day for thirty years.
And Richard was wearing it.
