Chapter 11: The People Behind the Lies
I stared at the photograph.
Robert Hayes.
The same man who had told us he was trying to protect my father's wishes.
The same man who had claimed someone had used his office credentials without permission.
And now he was standing beside Laura Price at Daniel's warehouse.
Rachel took the photograph.
"Detective, when was this recorded?""
"Last night. At 10:43 p.m.""
"Has either person been questioned?""
"Not yet.""
I looked at Walker.
"Robert told us he was helping.""
"Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't.""
Rachel nodded.
"We need to hear his explanation before drawing conclusions.""
Walker agreed.
He contacted the authorities handling the estate investigation and requested that Robert be interviewed.
Then he showed us another image.
This one was taken from a different camera.
Laura was holding a thick envelope.
Robert was carrying a small metal case.
"What was in the case?"" I asked.
"We don't know. But it was taken from the warehouse.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*Marcus, I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth years ago.*
It was Robert.
Another message followed.
*Your father didn't die without leaving instructions. I helped him hide the evidence because Daniel had already threatened him.*
Then:
*Meet me at the old courthouse at six. Come alone.*
Rachel read the messages.
"Absolutely not.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
She forwarded them to Detective Walker.
He arranged for officers to handle any meeting and advised us not to approach Robert independently.
At 5:40 p.m., we received another update.
Robert had agreed to meet investigators at a secured location.
We watched from a separate room as he entered.
He looked twenty years older than he had the previous day.
His tie was loose, his hair disheveled, and he kept looking over his shoulder.
Detective Walker began the interview.
"Mr. Hayes, do you know why you're here?""
Robert nodded.
"Because of Arthur Bennett's estate.""
"Do you know Daniel Bennett?""
"Yes.""
"Have you helped him access estate documents?""
Robert lowered his head.
"Yes.""
Rachel looked at me.
I felt my stomach tighten.
Walker continued.
"Have you falsified documents?""
"I didn't create the original forgeries.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Robert rubbed his face.
"I allowed Daniel to submit documents I knew were questionable.""
"Why?""
Robert looked toward the camera.
"Because he threatened my daughter.""
The room went silent.
"My daughter works for Daniel's company. He told me she had been stealing confidential financial information. He said he would report her unless I cooperated.""
Walker leaned forward.
"Did she steal anything?""
Robert shook his head.
"No. I checked. He had fabricated the accusation.""
"Why didn't you go to the police?""
"Because Daniel showed me photographs of my daughter leaving her apartment. He knew where she lived. He knew when she went to work.""
Robert's voice cracked.
"I was afraid.""
I stared at the screen.
Part of me wanted to hate him.
But I knew what it meant to fear for your child.
Walker opened another folder.
"What happened to the original will?""
Robert swallowed.
"Arthur gave it to me before his stroke. I was supposed to deliver it directly to Marcus.""
"Why didn't you?""
"Daniel intercepted it.""
"How?""
Robert hesitated.
"Laura Price.""
Rachel leaned forward.
"Explain.""
Robert took a deep breath.
"Laura was married to the physician treating Arthur. She had access to medical records and knew when Arthur would be too weak to respond to questions. She contacted me and claimed Arthur had authorized Daniel to manage the estate.""
"Did you believe her?""
"No.""
"Then why cooperate?""
"Because she showed me a copy of a hospital report suggesting Arthur was mentally incapacitated.""
I stared at the screen.
"My father wasn't mentally incapacitated.""
Robert nodded.
"I know that now. The report was altered.""
"By Laura?""
"I believe so.""
Walker turned another page.
"And the medication records?""
Robert looked down.
"Daniel told me that the hospital had made a mistake. He said Arthur's deterioration was natural and that nobody should investigate.""
"Did you know about the medication room?""
Robert shook his head.
"Not until last night.""
"Why were you at the warehouse?""
Robert hesitated.
"Laura wanted the original recording.""
"What recording?""
Robert looked directly at the camera.
"The one Arthur made the night before his stroke.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where is it?"" I asked through the room's speaker.
Walker glanced toward me, then allowed the question.
Robert turned.
"Mr. Bennett?""
"Where is my father's recording?""
He swallowed.
"Daniel has it.""
"Then why did you say you helped hide it?""
"Because Arthur made a copy.""
Rachel leaned forward.
"Where?""
Robert looked at me.
"Inside the wooden boat.""
I closed my eyes.
The little boat.
The one Daniel had taken.
"The original?""
"No. A second copy. Arthur told me there was a hidden compartment beneath the sail.""
I remembered Lily describing the silver key.
Rachel asked:
"Who has the boat now?""
Robert hesitated.
"Daniel.""
"Where?""
Robert looked terrified.
"At the fishing cabin. But you need to understand something.""
He leaned toward the microphone.
"Daniel doesn't know the boat contains the final piece of evidence.""
"What evidence?""
Robert's answer was barely audible.
"Your father recorded a conversation with Dr. Price. He admitted that the medication change had been planned.""
I stood up.
"Who planned it?""
Robert looked directly at me.
"Daniel.""
Then he added:
"But Daniel wasn't the person who paid the doctor.""
The interview room went silent.
Walker asked the obvious question.
"Who paid him?""
Robert closed his eyes.
"Vanessa.""
I felt as though the floor had disappeared beneath me.
"How much?""
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
Rachel slowly lowered her pen.
"Where did that money come from?""
Robert looked at me.
"Your daughter's trust.""
I couldn't speak.
The money meant for Lily's future had allegedly been used to pay the man responsible for treating my father.
Detective Walker ended the interview.
He immediately contacted the officers near Lake Lanier.
But before we could leave, his phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then his expression hardened.
"Understood.""
He ended the call.
"What happened?"" Rachel asked.
Walker looked at me.
"Daniel is at the cabin.""
May you like
"And the boat?""
"He's burning it.""
