Chapter 14: The Secret My Father Buried
Margaret was found at a small chapel outside Dallas.
She was sitting alone in the last pew when the police arrived.
I went with them.
I don't know why.
Maybe because every secret in my life seemed to lead back to that woman.
Maybe because I was tired of hearing pieces of the truth from everyone except the person who had helped create the lies.
Margaret looked up when I entered.
Her face was swollen from crying.
"Emily.""
I sat across the aisle.
"Where is she?""
Margaret lowered her eyes.
"I don't know.""
"You said you knew.""
"I know who has her.""
"Who?""
She looked toward the altar.
"Your father's attorney.""
I frowned.
"Which attorney?""
"Arthur Bennett.""
The name meant nothing.
Margaret continued.
"He was the one who arranged everything.""
"Everything?""
"The trust. The adoption. The false death certificate.""
My hands curled into fists.
"Why?""
"Your father was afraid Daniel would kill all three girls.""
"He couldn't have known Daniel would do that.""
"He knew.""
Margaret looked at me.
"He had proof.""
"What proof?""
She pulled a folded letter from her purse.
"Your father wrote this the week before Lily was born.""
I opened it.
My father's handwriting filled the page.
*Daniel has discovered the girls are the beneficiaries. He believes removing them will give him control. I have instructed Arthur to move the children if necessary.*
My breathing stopped.
"The girls?""
Margaret nodded.
"Your father knew there were three.""
"Then why did he tell me Lily was my only child?""
"Because you weren't supposed to remember.""
I stared at her.
"What did you do to me?""
Margaret's eyes filled.
"Nothing.""
"Then who?""
"Your father.""
I shook my head.
"You're lying.""
"He believed the trauma would destroy you.""
"What trauma?""
Margaret whispered:
"The third baby was taken from the hospital.""
I felt a chill.
"By Daniel?""
"No.""
"Then who?""
"Your father.""
I stared at her.
"He took my daughter?""
"To save her.""
"From Daniel?""
"Yes.""
Margaret leaned forward.
"He placed her with a family Daniel could never trace.""
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
"You expect me to believe that?""
"It's the truth.""
"Then why did Daniel have Claire?""
Margaret looked down.
"Because Daniel found her.""
"How?""
"Rachel.""
I frowned.
"Rachel Bennett?""
Margaret nodded.
"She had been working with your father.""
"Claire was given to Rachel's family.""
"Yes.""
"And Daniel found her?""
"Years later.""
I closed my eyes.
Everything was connected.
My father.
Arthur Bennett.
Rachel.
Daniel.
The three girls.
The trust.
The ledger.
One question remained.
"Where is my third daughter now?""
Margaret whispered, "Arthur knows.""
I stood.
"Then we're going to find him.""
My phone rang.
Michael.
I answered.
"Where are you?""
"At the courthouse.""
"I found something.""
"What?""
"The trust has a second beneficiary clause.""
"What does it say?""
"It says the controlling interest transfers to the three daughters only if all three are alive.""
My heart stopped.
"What happens if one is missing?""
"That's the problem.""
"What?""
"Daniel could have controlled everything if the third daughter was legally declared dead.""
I looked at Margaret.
"He needed her dead on paper.""
Michael's voice became quiet.
"Emily, there's more.""
"What?""
"The third daughter's name.""
I stopped breathing.
"Do you have it?""
"Yes.""
"Tell me.""
"I don't think you should hear it over the phone.""
"Michael.""
A pause.
"Her name is Anna Reed.""
I stared at the wall.
"Reed?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
Then I heard another voice in the background.
A woman's voice.
Young.
Terrified.
"Is that Emily?""
I closed my eyes.
"Who is that?""
Michael didn't answer.
"Michael.""
Finally, he said:
"Anna.""
My knees nearly buckled.
"Put her on.""
There was a pause.
Then a young woman whispered:
"Mom?""
I couldn't speak.
She began crying.
"I've been waiting for you.""
I pressed my hand against my mouth.
"Where are you?""
She gave me an address.
My father's old office.
The one that had supposedly been demolished eight years earlier.
Before hanging up, she said one thing.
"Daniel isn't the person you should be afraid of.""
I froze.
"Who should I be afraid of?""
Anna whispered:
May you like
"Arthur Bennett.""
Then the line went dead.
