Chapter 10: The Father Who Was Never Dead
"Your real father is still alive.""
The words remained suspended in Dr. Reed's study.
I stared at the telephone.
"Call her back.""
Dr. Reed immediately dialed the number.
It went straight to voicemail.
He tried again.
Nothing.
I turned toward Caleb.
"She told me not to trust you.""
Caleb didn't look offended.
Instead, he slowly removed his glasses.
"Sarah, I need you to understand that your mother has been frightened for a very long time.""
"That's not an answer.""
"You're right.""
He placed both hands on the desk.
"Thomas Carter was not your biological father.""
My stomach dropped.
"But the birth certificate...""
"Thomas adopted you legally before your wedding. He wanted you to inherit his estate, regardless of your biological father's identity.""
I looked at Dr. Reed.
"Did you know?""
The doctor nodded reluctantly.
"Thomas told me the truth shortly before his disappearance.""
I felt dizzy.
"Then why did everyone let me believe otherwise?""
Caleb opened his briefcase and removed a photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside a younger man outside a hospital.
The man had dark hair, a strong jaw, and a small scar near his chin.
I studied his face.
There was something familiar about his eyes.
"Who is he?""
Caleb turned the photograph over.
*JAMES ANDERSON — 1991.*
"Your biological father," he said.
I shook my head.
"My mother told me he died before I was born.""
"She lied.""
"Why?""
Caleb looked at Dr. Reed.
The doctor answered.
"James was Thomas's closest friend. They built the original Carter Industries operation together. But James discovered financial irregularities involving the company's founding investors.""
"What happened?""
"He confronted them. Shortly afterward, he was accused of embezzlement and disappeared.""
Caleb continued.
"Thomas believed James had been murdered. But Margaret never accepted that explanation.""
I looked again at the photograph.
"How could my mother have known?""
"Because James contacted her after his disappearance.""
I sat down.
"When?""
"Several months after you were born.""
"Did he ever see me?""
Caleb hesitated.
"Once.""
My eyes filled.
"When?""
"Outside a hospital. You were an infant. Thomas arranged the meeting secretly.""
I covered my mouth.
All those years, I'd believed I had no father.
Now I was discovering that two men had loved me, and everyone around me had decided I wasn't allowed to know either of them.
"Where is James now?""
Caleb placed a folded document on the desk.
A recent photograph was attached.
It showed an older man walking into a small building in Charleston, South Carolina.
The same eyes.
The same scar.
"He's alive," Caleb said.
"How do you know?""
"Because he contacted me three days ago.""
I stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because he wanted to speak with you only after the original records were recovered.""
"Then why did my mother call today?""
Caleb looked at the photograph.
"Because someone found out we had located James.""
We left Dr. Reed's house shortly before sunset.
I refused to return to Atlanta.
Caleb agreed to drive us toward Charleston.
During the journey, my phone rang repeatedly.
Marcus.
I finally answered.
"What do you want?""
His voice sounded exhausted.
"Sarah, please. We need to talk.""
"We've talked enough.""
"Mom has disappeared.""
"Maybe she's visiting someone.""
"Daniel is missing too.""
I sat upright.
"What?""
"He left the company this afternoon. His office is empty. His phone is switched off.""
I looked at Caleb.
Marcus continued.
"Someone accessed the company's archived records. The board is demanding answers.""
"Then give them answers.""
"I can't do that without you.""
I laughed.
"You have an entire family of people who have spent years lying. Ask them.""
"Sarah, listen. I found something in Dad's old study.""
I remained silent.
"A second will.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"What does it say?""
"It says that if anything happened to Thomas before he could publicly acknowledge his daughter, the entire company would be placed under an independent trustee.""
"Who?""
Marcus swallowed.
"You.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why are you telling me this?""
"Because Daniel has been trying to get that document destroyed. And Mom knew about it.""
"Where is the will?""
"I have it.""
Caleb gestured for me to ask another question.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?""
Marcus was quiet.
Then he said:
"Because Dad left something else. A recording addressed to you.""
"What recording?""
"I haven't listened to it.""
"Why not?""
"Because the envelope says it must be opened in front of the daughter he loved.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then Marcus added:
"Sarah, there's one more thing.""
"What?""
"The recording was made the night Dad disappeared.""
The call ended.
Caleb accelerated.
I looked at him.
"Do you believe him?""
Caleb's expression hardened.
"I believe Thomas left more evidence than any of us realized.""
Then his phone vibrated.
An incoming message appeared.
It contained a photograph of our car taken from behind.
Beneath it was a short warning.
*CHARLESTON IS A LONG DRIVE. YOU WON'T MAKE IT.*
Caleb looked at the rearview mirror.
May you like
A black SUV had appeared several car lengths behind us.
And it was getting closer.
