Chapter 11: My Mother's Eleven-Year Lie
I sat inside Robert's vehicle with the phone pressed against my ear.
My mother was alive.
She was speaking to me.
But the first thing she'd told me was that she had financed Daniel.
I couldn't understand it.
"Mom, where are you?""
"In London.""
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?""
She cried quietly.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of Daniel?""
"Of everyone.""
I looked at Evelyn.
She was standing outside the vehicle, watching the boathouse.
"Mom, did you know Daniel was stealing from Dad?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know he was trying to take my shares?""
"Not until recently.""
"Then why did you give him money?""
My mother sighed.
"Because I thought I could control him.""
I almost laughed.
"Control him? Mom, he slapped me in front of two hundred people. He stole my jewelry. He tried to forge my signature.""
"I know.""
"How?""
"Because I've been watching.""
The words made my skin crawl.
"Watching me?""
"From a distance.""
I stared through the window.
All those years.
All those birthdays.
All those lonely evenings.
She had been alive somewhere, watching me without ever reaching out.
"Why didn't you call?""
"Because I made a terrible mistake eleven years ago, Olivia. And if Daniel had discovered I was alive, he would have come after you.""
I closed my eyes.
"Tell me what happened.""
There was a long pause.
Then she began.
"Your father discovered that Daniel and Patricia were moving company money into private accounts. He confronted them. But what he didn't know was that Daniel had already borrowed money from Northbridge Capital.""
"How much?""
"Almost four million dollars.""
I looked at Robert.
He was listening carefully.
"Why would Daniel borrow that much?""
"Because he wanted to expand Bennett Enterprises without giving your father control over the new investment. Richard Hale arranged the financing.""
"And you?""
"I was the original investor behind Northbridge.""
I sat upright.
"What?""
"I established it years before. I wanted to create a private investment fund using money I'd inherited from my family. I never intended to become involved in Bennett Enterprises.""
"Then why did you finance Daniel?""
"Because he approached me with a proposal. He promised that he would eventually return the money and protect your father's investment.""
I shook my head.
"He lied.""
"Yes.""
My mother's voice broke.
"And when your father discovered the truth, Daniel threatened to expose my connection to Northbridge.""
"Why would that matter?""
"Because I had been using a private identity to protect the fund. If the arrangement became public, several investors would have withdrawn their money.""
I looked at the red folder.
"So Dad discovered everything.""
"Yes. He called me the night he died.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"What did he say?""
"He told me Daniel had arranged a meeting. He believed they could settle the financial dispute.""
"Was Daniel there?""
"No. He sent Patricia and Richard instead.""
I glanced at Evelyn.
She was staring at the ground.
My mother continued.
"Your father suffered a heart attack during the meeting. Evelyn called for help. But before the ambulance arrived, Richard took several documents from the study.""
I swallowed.
"Did anyone cause his death?""
"No. I have no evidence of that. Your father had a serious heart condition. But someone deliberately delayed calling the family because they wanted to remove the financial records before the police arrived.""
I covered my mouth.
"Who?""
"Patricia.""
My hands began to shake.
"Why?""
"Because she believed your father had kept evidence that could send her son to prison.""
I stared at the phone.
"Then why did you disappear?""
"Richard told me Daniel had arranged for my name to appear on several unauthorized transactions. If I stayed, I would be implicated.""
"So you ran.""
"I was trying to protect you.""
"By making me believe you were dead?""
My mother began crying harder.
"I thought I was doing the right thing.""
I couldn't answer.
For eleven years, I'd lived with an empty space in my life.
She had allowed that emptiness to become permanent.
Then she said:
"Olivia, there's something you need to understand about the original account.""
"What?""
"It contains the money your father intended to leave you. But it also contains the original ownership records for Northbridge.""
"Why are those important?""
"Because Daniel has been trying to acquire Northbridge for years. If he controls both companies, he can use their combined assets to cover the missing money.""
I looked at Robert.
He slowly nodded.
That would explain the attempted share transfer.
My mother continued.
"The bank will release everything to you, but there's a condition.""
"What condition?""
"You must bring the original shareholder certificate.""
I glanced at Evelyn's red folder.
"Do we have it?""
Evelyn stepped closer to the vehicle.
"Yes. Your father gave it to me.""
My mother exhaled.
"Then come to London. I need to show you something in person.""
I hesitated.
"Why can't you come here?""
"Because Daniel has people watching Atlanta.""
I looked toward the boathouse.
Two security officers were escorting Richard outside.
Daniel was nowhere to be seen.
"Mom, I need time.""
"I understand.""
Then her voice changed.
"Olivia, there's one more thing. Patricia is not acting alone. Someone on your company's board has been helping her.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who?""
She hesitated.
"Robert Hayes.""
I slowly turned toward the driver.
Robert was watching me.
He noticed my expression.
"What's wrong?""
My mother whispered:
"Don't let him take you to the airport.""
The call disconnected.
For several seconds, I sat completely still.
Robert opened the passenger door.
"Olivia, we need to move. The police are asking for your statement.""
I looked at him.
"Where are you taking me?""
"To a secure location.""
"Which one?""
He hesitated.
Then he smiled.
"Why are you asking so many questions?""
I reached for the door handle.
"Because my mother just told me not to trust you.""
Robert's smile disappeared.
He looked toward the security officers.
Then he quietly said:
"That's unfortunate.""
May you like
He reached inside his jacket.
And I saw the silver handle of a gun.
