Chapter 11: The Firstborn Son
I sat in my mother's living room, unable to process what she'd just told me.
David wasn't my uncle.
He was my half-brother.
The man who had attended my father's funeral, comforted my mother, helped me through college, and eventually held my daughter at family gatherings was actually my father's firstborn child.
Daniel broke the silence.
“Why did Dad never tell us?””
My mother looked at him.
“Because David was the result of an affair. Your father was young. He made mistakes. But he never abandoned him financially.””
“Then why did David hate us?””
“Because your father eventually chose to leave him out of the family business.””
I frowned.
“What business?””
My mother reached into the cabinet and pulled out a leather folder.
“Your grandfather established Bennett Holdings. Your father inherited the controlling interest, but he wanted to restructure the company to protect its land assets for the next generation.””
She placed several documents on the table.
“David believed he deserved everything because he was the firstborn.””
I studied the paperwork.
The company owned several commercial properties around Atlanta, along with undeveloped land that had become extremely valuable.
“Why didn't Dad just give him his share?””
My mother shook her head.
“Because David had already been stealing from the company.””
Detective Morgan photographed the documents.
“Do you have evidence?””
My mother nodded.
“Your father gave me the original ledger before he died. I've kept it hidden all these years.””
She walked to a small bedroom and returned with a wooden box.
Inside was a thick account book, several photographs, and an old cassette tape.
I picked up the tape.
On its label, my father's handwriting read:
*DAVID — FINAL CONVERSATION.*
My hands trembled.
“Have you listened to this?””
“Once,” my mother whispered.
“I never had the courage to listen again.””
Detective Morgan examined the cassette.
“We'll arrange to have this professionally preserved.””
Then she turned toward my mother.
“Mrs. Bennett, you need protection immediately. If David knows you're alive, he'll try to reach you.””
My mother nodded.
But she wasn't looking at the detective.
She was staring at the photograph of Sophie.
“Emily was a wonderful mother,” she whispered.
I swallowed.
“She loved Sophie more than anything.””
“I know. She called me before the accident.””
I turned sharply.
“What?””
My mother looked down.
“She told me she was afraid. She said Richard had found out about the hidden trust. She asked me to help her.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I tried.””
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a folded letter.
It was addressed to me.
My name was written in Emily's handwriting.
I recognized it immediately.
I opened it.
Michael,
If you're reading this, I couldn't get through to you. I wanted to tell you everything, but I was afraid Amanda had already gained your trust.
I stopped.
My mother looked away.
I continued.
Your mother knows about the company. She can explain why your father chose to protect Sophie.
But there's something I need you to understand.
Amanda didn't come into our lives by accident.
My chest tightened.
She was introduced to you by someone who knew your history. Someone who knew you were lonely, grieving, and desperate to give Sophie a mother.
I looked at my mother.
“Who introduced Amanda to me?””
She hesitated.
Then she answered.
“David.””
I felt physically ill.
Three years earlier, David had invited me to a charity dinner.
Amanda had been sitting at his table.
He'd introduced us.
He'd told me she worked in property management and had recently moved to Atlanta.
He'd even encouraged me to ask her out.
My brother had introduced me to the woman who would eventually try to steal my daughter.
“Did Amanda know who I was?””
My mother nodded.
“She knew about the inheritance before she met you.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
I remembered Amanda's first words to me.
“You must be Sophie’s dad. David told me so much about you.””
At the time, I'd thought it was harmless.
Now it sounded like a warning.
My phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
Detective Morgan signaled for me to answer on speaker.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through.
“Michael.””
David.
My entire body went rigid.
“Where are you?””
“That's not important.””
“Stay away from my family.””
He laughed.
“Your family? That's an interesting word coming from someone who has spent his entire life benefiting from things that should have been mine.””
“You killed Dad.””
A pause.
Then he sighed.
“Your father was a stubborn man.””
“Did you kill him?””
“Your father made decisions that affected everyone.””
Detective Morgan signaled to keep him talking.
David continued.
“And now Emily has made the same mistake.””
My hands tightened around the phone.
“You were involved in her accident.””
“Careful, Michael. You're making accusations you can't prove.””
“We have Thomas Reed.””
David laughed.
“Thomas is a frightened old man. He'll say anything to save himself.””
“Then why are you calling?””
“Because I want to end this before Sophie gets hurt.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“What do you want?””
“The original trust ledger. The cassette. And the deed to the blue cottage.””
“And in exchange?””
“You get your daughter back.””
My blood ran cold.
“Where is she?””
“She's with people who can keep her safe.””
I looked at Detective Morgan.
She was already moving toward the door.
David continued.
“Bring everything to the old Bennett warehouse tomorrow morning. Come alone.””
“Let me speak to Sophie.””
“Not yet.””
Then I heard something.
A little voice.
“Daddy?””
My heart stopped.
“Sophie!””
David laughed.
“She misses you.””
Then the call ended.
I nearly dropped the phone.
Detective Morgan immediately contacted the protection team.
My mother grabbed my arm.
“Michael, you cannot go there alone.””
“I don't care what he wants. He's got my daughter.””
“We'll get her back,” Morgan said firmly.
But the detective's expression changed as she listened to an incoming radio transmission.
Then she looked at me.
“The protection team just checked the safe location.””
“What?””
“They found Margaret unconscious.””
My knees weakened.
“And Sophie?””
Detective Morgan didn't answer immediately.
Then she said:
“She isn't there.””
My mother began crying.
Daniel grabbed the edge of the table.
I stared at the floor.
May you like
David had taken my daughter.
And the last thing I'd heard from Sophie was my name.
