Chapter 7: The Man My Husband Trusted
I hadn't spoken to Thomas Bennett in almost fifteen years.
He was Walter's younger brother, a quiet man who had spent most of his life working as an accountant in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When Walter and I married, Thomas had been the first person to welcome me into the family.
He'd helped us buy our first house, repaired our old truck, and even lent us money when Daniel was born prematurely.
But fifteen years ago, something happened that fractured the family.
Thomas accused Daniel of stealing money from Walter's business.
Daniel was seventeen at the time.
Walter refused to believe his younger brother.
"He's my son, Thomas," he'd said.
"You don't accuse a boy of something like that without proof.""
Thomas had placed a bank statement on our kitchen table.
"Then explain these withdrawals.""
Walter had pushed the paper away.
"Enough. You're not going to destroy this family.""
Thomas looked at me before leaving.
"Margaret, one day you'll understand why I tried to warn you.""
He never came back.
And now his name was on my husband's trust agreement.
Helen placed her phone on the desk.
"Do you have a current number for him?""
I shook my head.
"Not anymore.""
Daniel suddenly spoke.
"We don't need to involve Uncle Thomas.""
Helen looked at him.
"Why not?""
"He's been out of the family for years.""
"He's named as the successor trustee.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"That doesn't mean he has to get involved.""
I turned toward my son.
"Why are you so afraid of your uncle?""
"I'm not afraid of him.""
"Then why are you objecting?""
He looked away.
Helen studied him for a moment before turning back to me.
"I can locate the trustee through the records, but I need to know whether you're comfortable contacting him.""
I looked at Walter's handwriting.
For fifteen years, I'd wondered whether Thomas had been wrong about Daniel.
Now I wondered whether he'd been right all along.
"Find him," I said.
Helen made the call.
While she spoke with her office, Daniel paced around the room.
He checked his phone repeatedly.
Then he stepped into the hallway.
I watched him through the glass.
He was speaking to someone.
His voice was low, but I caught a few words.
"She found the trust.""
A pause.
"No, I don't know how.""
Another pause.
"Because Uncle Thomas is listed!""
My stomach tightened.
When Daniel returned, I asked, "Who were you talking to?""
"Nobody.""
"Daniel.""
He slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Just a friend.""
I said nothing.
Helen finished her call.
"They've found Thomas's current contact information. He lives outside Charlotte, but he still maintains the original estate records.""
She dialed his number.
The phone rang four times.
Then a familiar older voice answered.
"Hello?""
"Mr. Bennett? My name is Helen Brooks. I'm an attorney representing Margaret Bennett.""
Silence.
Then Thomas spoke.
"Margaret?""
Helen put the call on speaker.
I leaned forward.
"Thomas?""
There was a long pause.
"Margaret, I wondered when this day would come.""
My eyes filled with tears.
"Why didn't you tell me about the trust?""
"I tried.""
"You never called.""
"I sent you letters. Several of them.""
I shook my head.
"I never received anything.""
Thomas sighed.
"Then someone made sure you didn't.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was staring at the floor.
Thomas continued.
"Is Daniel there?""
"Yes.""
"Put him on the phone.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Tell him I'm not interested.""
Thomas heard him.
"Daniel, I've waited fifteen years to speak to you.""
My son stepped closer.
"There's nothing to discuss.""
Thomas's voice became firmer.
"Your father didn't create that trust because he was worried about strangers stealing his property.""
Daniel froze.
"He created it because he was worried about you.""
The room went silent.
I gripped the edge of the desk.
"What are you saying?""
Thomas took a breath.
"Margaret, Walter discovered something about Daniel shortly before he died. Something involving the original property deeds.""
I looked at my son.
"What did Walter discover?""
Thomas answered slowly.
"Daniel had tried to transfer ownership of part of the land once before. He used paperwork from his father's business to make it look legitimate.""
I felt sick.
"But that was fifteen years ago.""
"Yes. Walter caught him. That's why we argued.""
Daniel suddenly exploded.
"That's a lie!""
Thomas didn't raise his voice.
"Your father forgave you. He made me promise not to report what happened because he believed you could change.""
Daniel kicked the chair beside him.
"You're twisting everything!""
Thomas continued.
"After that incident, Walter changed his estate arrangements. He made sure the property couldn't be transferred without independent verification.""
Helen quickly wrote something down.
"Mr. Bennett, do you have the original trust documents?""
"Yes. I have them in my possession.""
"Would you be willing to provide them?""
"Of course.""
Then Thomas said something that made me sit completely still.
"Margaret, there's something else. Walter left a sealed letter for you. He instructed me to give it to you only if Daniel ever tried to take control of the land again.""
I closed my eyes.
"What does it say?""
Thomas was quiet for several seconds.
"That, Margaret, is something you need to read in person.""
Then he added:
"And you need to know that Tiffany isn't the first person Daniel has involved in this.""
I looked at my son.
His face had turned almost gray.
Thomas's final words came through the speaker.
"There's someone else who knows exactly what happened to your husband's money.""
May you like
"Who?""
"My nephew's former business partner.""
