Chapter 9: The Voice From My Past
I couldn't move.
The phone was pressed against my ear, and the entire storage facility seemed to disappear.
“Dad?””
My voice barely came out.
“Is that really you?””
The man on the other end exhaled.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
I began crying.
“Where have you been? Why didn't you come home?””
There was another silence.
“I tried.””
I pressed my hand against the wall.
“You let us believe you were dead for twenty-two years.””
“I know.””
“Mom died believing she would never see you again.””
His voice cracked.
“I know, Lauren.””
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to ask a thousand questions.
Instead, I managed one.
“Why?””
“Because I made a terrible decision. I thought disappearing would protect you and your sister. I didn't realize how much damage the silence would cause.””
I looked at Daniel.
He was listening carefully.
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you over the phone.””
“Dad, please.””
“Listen to me. Marcus knows about the storage unit. You cannot trust him, and you cannot trust Richard Bennett.””
I swallowed.
“We found Mom's documents.””
“Did you find the blue folder?””
“Yes.””
“Then you found the trust records.””
“Yes.””
My father went quiet.
“Good. There's something else your mother wanted you to know. The trust isn't just about the house.””
“What does that mean?””
“There's an account connected to it. An account that was supposed to be transferred to you when you turned thirty.””
I frowned.
“I'm thirty-four.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't I receive anything?””
“Because someone intercepted the transfer.””
I looked at Daniel.
He was already taking notes.
“Who?””
“Richard Bennett.””
My stomach tightened.
“How much money?””
“Approximately four million dollars, including accumulated investment returns.””
I couldn't speak.
Four million dollars.
My mother had spent years living modestly, worrying about household bills, and refusing to replace her old car.
Meanwhile, someone had stolen money that was supposed to belong to her daughters.
“Dad, why didn't you report it?””
“I tried. But the documents disappeared, and the people involved threatened your mother. When she died, I thought I had lost the only person who could help me prove what happened.””
My eyes filled again.
“Mom knew you were alive?””
A long pause followed.
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
That hurt more than I expected.
“She knew?””
“She found me years ago. We spoke several times. I wanted to come home, but Richard had people watching the family.””
“Then why didn't she tell us?””
“She was afraid they'd use you to get to me.””
I looked toward Emily.
My sister was standing beside the storage unit door, crying silently.
“Dad, Emily is here.””
He inhaled sharply.
“Is she safe?””
“I think so.””
“Listen to me carefully. Don't let her leave with Marcus.””
Emily heard him.
“Dad?””
The phone went silent.
Then he spoke again.
“Emily?””
She stepped forward.
“I'm here.””
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then my father said something that made her collapse into a chair.
“I know what you did, sweetheart.””
Emily covered her face.
“I'm sorry.””
“I know you were frightened. But your mother begged you to stay away from Marcus.””
“I know.””
“Why did you help him?””
She began sobbing.
“Because I owed money. Because I was stupid. Because I thought I could fix everything before Lauren found out.””
My father sighed.
“You cannot undo what happened. But you can still tell the truth.””
Emily nodded, even though he couldn't see her.
“I will.””
Then the line crackled.
My father lowered his voice.
“Lauren, there's something you need to know about Sunday.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“Marcus isn't planning to wait until the insurance paperwork is finalized. He knows the investigation has started. He may move sooner.””
Detective Maddox stepped closer.
“Sir, this is Detective Rebecca Maddox. We need your location and a safe way to contact you.””
My father hesitated.
“Detective, I can provide both, but I need to know something first. Has Lauren received any medical treatment for unexplained dizziness?””
“Yes,” Maddox answered.
“Then I need you to check whether her doctor prescribed anything unusual. I believe Marcus has been using medication to keep her disoriented.””
My hands began shaking again.
“Dad, do you know what he gave me?””
“I don't know exactly. But I know someone who might.””
“Who?””
Before he could answer, a loud noise came through the phone.
A door slamming.
Then a man's voice.
My father whispered, “They're here.””
“Dad?””
“Lauren, listen. Whatever happens, don't give Marcus the original deed.””
“Where are you?””
“There's one more person involved. Someone you trust.””
The line crackled.
“Who?””
My father spoke so quietly I almost missed it.
“Daniel.””
I turned toward Daniel.
He was standing perfectly still.
My father continued.
“Ask him why he never told you that he was the one who arranged your mother's final medical appointment.””
I slowly lowered the phone.
Daniel's expression had changed.
“Lauren,” he said.
I stared at him.
“What did my father mean?””
He opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, Detective Maddox's radio erupted.
“Detective, we have a problem. Marcus Mitchell has been located outside the hospital. He's attempting to access Mrs. Mitchell's medical records.””
Maddox grabbed her radio.
“Send officers immediately.””
Then another voice came over the channel.
“There's more. We found a vehicle registered to Vanessa Cole parked outside the facility.””
Daniel looked toward the entrance.
Emily stood up.
“That's impossible. Vanessa is supposed to be with her husband.””
Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
His face went white.
“What?””
He listened for several seconds.
Then he slowly turned toward me.
“Lauren, Vanessa has disappeared.””
I stared at him.
“What do you mean?””
He swallowed.
“She left a message.””
“What message?””
Daniel looked down at his phone.
“She's asking to meet you. She says she has proof of what Marcus planned for Sunday.””
He paused.
May you like
Then he showed me the final line.
*And she says your father isn't the only person Marcus has been hiding from you.*
