Chapter 7: The Secret My Mother Took to Her Grave
I read Marcus's message again.
*I know Emily is there. You have until noon to bring me the original deed. Otherwise, you'll never learn what your mother really died trying to hide.*
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“What does he mean by what Mom died trying to hide?””
Daniel looked at Detective Maddox.
Neither answered immediately.
That silence told me more than I wanted to know.
“Someone needs to explain this,” I said.
Daniel finally pulled out a chair.
“Your mother contacted me eleven months before she died.””
I stared at him.
“You knew my mother?””
“Not personally. She contacted my company because she suspected someone was attempting to manipulate the ownership records of her property.””
“What company?””
“Hayes Financial Investigations. I investigate financial fraud and suspicious transactions.””
I glanced at Emily.
She was staring at the floor.
Daniel continued.
“Your mother had discovered that several documents relating to the property had been requested without her authorization. She suspected Marcus was working with someone inside the legal system.””
“Mr. Bennett?””
Daniel nodded.
“She wanted to know whether he was involved. Unfortunately, before I could complete my investigation, she passed away.””
My throat tightened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't have enough evidence. And your mother specifically asked me not to involve you unless someone attempted to take the house.””
He reached into his briefcase and removed a sealed document.
“This was delivered to me three days before her funeral. Your mother instructed me to keep it until the original property deed was threatened.””
I stared at the envelope.
My mother's handwriting appeared across the front.
*For Lauren.*
I opened it.
Inside was a letter and a small photograph of the house.
The letter was dated two weeks before her death.
My darling girl,
If Daniel has given you this letter, then my fears were justified.
There is something about the house that Marcus and Mr. Bennett must never discover.
Years ago, your father and I purchased the property through a private family trust. I never transferred the entire beneficial interest into my personal estate. I kept a separate legal record because I wanted the house protected from anyone who might someday try to claim it through marriage, debt, or deception.
I stopped reading.
“What does this mean?””
Daniel leaned forward.
“It means the deed Marcus wants may not give him what he thinks it gives him.””
I looked down again.
The original trust documents are stored separately. They establish that you are the sole beneficiary and that certain conditions must be met before the property can be sold.
I turned the page.
There was a handwritten instruction.
*Find the blue folder behind the false back of the study's bottom drawer.*
I looked toward the study.
Detective Maddox immediately called one of the officers.
“Check the location, but photograph everything before moving it.””
We returned to the study.
The bottom drawer of my mother's writing desk looked ordinary. But when the officer removed it, he discovered a thin wooden panel behind the back wall.
A blue folder was hidden inside.
My hands shook as I opened it.
There were trust documents, an original deed, and a notarized statement confirming my mother's intentions.
Then I found a second document.
It listed three people who were prohibited from acting on behalf of the trust.
Marcus Mitchell.
Emily Mitchell.
And Richard Bennett.
I looked at Daniel.
“Mom knew all three were involved?””
“She suspected them. This document was prepared to prevent any of them from gaining control.””
Emily suddenly began crying.
“Mom knew about me?””
I turned toward her.
“She knew you were in trouble.””
Emily covered her face.
“I thought she hated me.””
“She was trying to protect you.””
For several seconds, Emily couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, “I should have listened.””
Detective Maddox photographed the documents.
“We'll have the legal department review these. For now, nobody should hand over any original paperwork to Marcus.””
My phone rang.
Marcus.
I put it on speaker.
“Lauren,” he said, his voice unusually calm.
“Have you found the deed?””
I looked at the officer.
“Why do you need it?””
“Because it's mine.””
“It's my mother's property.””
He sighed.
“Don't make this difficult. I've spent months trying to protect you from people who want to take advantage of you.””
I almost laughed.
“You mean people like you?””
His voice hardened.
“You have no idea what your mother did.””
“Then tell me.””
A pause.
“Bring the deed to the house. Alone. We can settle this without involving the police.””
Detective Maddox shook her head.
I answered carefully.
“Why would I come alone?””
“Because Emily is lying to you. Daniel is lying to you. Everyone is using you.””
“Are you?””
His breathing changed.
“Lauren, I'm still your husband.””
“You stopped acting like it when you gave my anniversary seat to Vanessa.””
He lowered his voice.
“You're making a mistake you'll regret.””
Then he disconnected.
Detective Maddox took my phone.
“We need to establish whether he knows we've found the trust documents.””
Before I could answer, Daniel's phone vibrated.
He read the message and went pale.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He turned the screen toward me.
It was a photograph of the front of my house.
Someone had taken it from across the street.
Below it was a message:
*You found the blue folder. Now tell Lauren what happened to her father.*
I stared at Daniel.
“My father?””
Daniel slowly closed his briefcase.
May you like
Then he said something I never expected to hear.
“Lauren, your father didn't die in the accident you were told about.””
