Chapter 13: The Son Nobody Was Supposed to Find
I stared at the photograph until the letters blurred.
Richard Collins.
The attorney who had handled my father's estate.
The man who had helped arrange my mother's disappearance.
The man who had worked with David to destroy Emily's life.
He was my father's firstborn son.
And David had stolen his identity.
I looked at Amanda.
“Are you telling me Richard is actually my half-brother?””
She nodded.
“Your father had a relationship with a woman named Patricia Collins before he married your mother. They had a son. Richard.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The baby in Patricia's arms had a tiny birthmark beside his left eye.
A detail I'd seen in old photographs of Richard.
“How did David get away with pretending to be his uncle?””
Amanda swallowed.
“Your father kept Richard's existence secret because Patricia had taken him away. Years later, Richard returned and discovered the family company. David realized he could use Richard's legal knowledge to take control of the inheritance.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“So David convinced Richard to pretend to be the legitimate successor?””
“Not exactly,” Amanda replied.
“Richard was the legitimate firstborn. David was the one pretending to have rights he didn't possess.””
I felt sick.
“Then why did Richard help David?””
“Because Richard wanted revenge. Your father had refused to acknowledge him publicly. David offered him control of the company in exchange for helping eliminate anyone who stood in the way.””
I looked toward the warehouse office.
Richard was gone.
David was gone.
And somewhere between them lay the truth about three deaths, two fake identities, and an inheritance worth millions.
Detective Morgan approached.
“Mr. Bennett, we recovered something from the office.””
She handed me a small envelope.
Inside was a photocopy of a birth certificate.
The name of the child was Richard Collins.
Father: Jonathan Bennett.
Mother: Patricia Collins.
The date matched the photograph.
But there was something else.
A handwritten note had been attached.
The original birth certificate is in the family vault. Without it, Richard cannot establish his claim to the estate.
I looked up.
“Where is this vault?””
Detective Morgan turned toward Amanda.
She looked frightened.
“Under the old Bennett mansion.””
I remembered the property.
My grandfather's original house had been sold years ago, but the basement vault remained sealed under a preservation agreement.
“Who owns it now?””
Amanda shook her head.
“David.””
I turned toward the detective.
“We need to get there.””
“Not without a warrant.””
“Then get one.””
She nodded and walked away to make the necessary calls.
I looked at Amanda.
“Why are you helping us now?””
She lowered her eyes.
“Because David threatened to kill Sophie.””
“That didn't stop you before.””
“I know.””
“You lied to me. You used my daughter. You helped create a false custody case.””
Amanda started crying.
“I thought I could get the money and leave. David told me Sophie would be placed with a private guardian. He said you would eventually accept it.””
I stared at her.
“You really thought I'd forget my daughter?””
“No.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“I thought I'd be able to make you believe she was better off somewhere else.””
I stepped away.
“You don't get to call that love.””
She nodded.
“I know.””
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small recording device.
“There's something else. I recorded David and Richard arguing last week.””
Detective Morgan returned.
“What does the recording contain?””
Amanda handed it over.
“Listen.””
Morgan played the file.
David's voice came first.
“You promised me the company.””
Richard answered:
“I promised to help you recover what was stolen. I never promised to share control with you.””
“You wouldn't even exist without me!””
Richard laughed bitterly.
“My mother gave birth to me. My father gave me a name. You stole both.””
There was a pause.
Then David said something that made my skin crawl.
“Your father should have died before he changed the will.””
Richard answered:
“He did die. And now his other son is going to make the same mistake.””
The recording ended.
I looked at Detective Morgan.
“That's enough to arrest them?””
“It's evidence. We'll need corroboration.””
Amanda suddenly spoke.
“There is one more thing.””
Everyone turned.
“Richard has a private account containing the original payments made before Emily's accident. David transferred the money through Amanda Reed Consulting.””
Detective Morgan frowned.
“Your company?””
Amanda nodded.
“I established it for the property scheme.””
I looked at her.
“You created a company to steal from my daughter?””
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked toward Sophie.
“I'm sorry.””
Sophie moved closer to my leg.
“Daddy, I don't like her.””
I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“You don't have to.””
A few minutes later, an officer entered the warehouse.
“Detective, we have a location on Richard Collins.””
“Where?””
“He's at the old Bennett mansion.””
Detective Morgan immediately organized a team.
I insisted on accompanying them, but she refused.
“Not this time, Michael. You've done enough. Your daughter needs you alive and present.””
She was right.
For once, I listened.
But before she left, Amanda grabbed my sleeve.
“Michael.””
I turned.
“Richard isn't going to the mansion for the birth certificate.””
“Then why?””
She looked terrified.
“Because there's another document in the vault.””
“What document?””
“The original will.””
I stared at her.
“What does it say?””
Amanda lowered her voice.
“It names the person who inherits everything if both you and Sophie are declared legally incapable of managing the estate.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
She whispered:
“Richard Collins.””
Then she added something that changed the entire investigation.
“Your father knew Richard was coming back. He left a letter for him in the vault.””
I looked toward Detective Morgan.
She was already moving.
And just as the police vehicles pulled away, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
Richard's voice came through.
“Hello, little brother.””
I froze.
He laughed.
“Your father left you something very important, Michael.””
“What?””
“The truth about your mother's disappearance.””
I looked toward the officers.
Richard continued.
May you like
“Ask her why she let David bury your father twice.””
Then the call ended.
