Chapter 12: The Father Who Stole My Identity
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
William Hale.
Everett's father.
The man connected to my mother's death.
The man whose portrait hung above the safe.
His signature appeared beneath the amended birth record.
I looked at Nathan.
"Tell me what this means.""
Nathan examined the document carefully.
"It means someone filed an amended record claiming William Hale was your biological father.""
"Is it genuine?""
"I can't determine that from this document alone.""
Everett sat between two security officers.
He looked exhausted.
"William told me when I was twenty-five.""
I turned toward him.
"What exactly did he tell you?""
"That Rebecca had been involved with him before she met Daniel.""
"You're saying my biological father is William Hale?""
Everett nodded.
"He said you were his daughter.""
I felt physically ill.
Nathan immediately interrupted.
"That claim needs independent verification. A signed amendment is not proof of biological paternity.""
I gripped the edge of the desk.
"Why would he change the record?""
Everett looked at me.
"Because he believed you were entitled to inherit part of his family's holdings as well.""
I laughed without humor.
"Then why did he arrange for me to marry his son?""
Everett looked down.
"Because he wanted both families connected. He thought that if I married you, the Bennett assets and the Hale interests would eventually become one.""
Nathan closed the folder.
"That would explain the succession scheme.""
I looked at Everett.
"Did you know this before our wedding?""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you know he had been involved in Rebecca's death?""
His silence was enough.
I stepped backward.
For ten years, I had slept beside this man.
I had trusted him with my fears, my dreams, and the most private parts of my life.
And he had known that his father might be responsible for my mother's murder.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Everett rubbed his face.
"Because William said he would destroy you if I did.""
"How?""
"He had documents. Evidence that could make it look like your grandfather's estate was acquired through fraud. He said the family would lose everything.""
Nathan interrupted.
"That doesn't excuse your involvement in the financial transfers.""
Everett looked at him.
"I know.""
"Or the fabricated pregnancy announcement.""
"I know.""
"Or the attempt to obtain Claire's signature.""
Everett lowered his head.
"I know.""
I looked at him.
"Then why should I believe anything you say now?""
He swallowed.
"Because I have something Thomas doesn't know about.""
He reached into his jacket pocket.
The security officer immediately stepped forward.
"Slowly.""
Everett removed a small memory card.
"I copied it from my father's private archive before he died.""
Nathan took it.
"What is on it?""
"An audio recording. William speaking to Thomas about Rebecca.""
Nathan examined the card.
"Why didn't you give this to the authorities?""
"Because the recording also contains evidence of my involvement.""
I stared at him.
"Of course it does.""
Everett's voice cracked.
"I was afraid.""
I looked away.
"Fear doesn't erase what you did.""
Nathan placed the memory card inside an evidence pouch.
"We'll have it analyzed.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa appeared.
*Claire, Thomas is at the hospital again. He's asking for the original birth certificate. He says he can prove William wasn't your father. Please come.*
I showed Nathan.
He immediately called hospital security.
But before he could finish, another message arrived.
*He told me something about Rebecca. Something he said nobody else knows.*
I typed back.
*What?*
Her response came quickly.
*Your mother didn't die in the car accident. She survived for three days. Thomas was the last person who saw her alive.*
I felt the room go cold.
Nathan read the message.
"That's a serious allegation.""
"Then we're going to find out if it's true.""
We drove back to the hospital.
Vanessa was waiting in the private lounge.
She stood when she saw us.
"I didn't know whether you'd come.""
I looked at her.
"Tell me what Thomas said.""
She handed me a folded document.
"He visited me while you were at the Hale residence. He said he wanted to make a deal.""
"What kind of deal?""
"He offered me the succession schedule in exchange for the original birth certificate.""
I stared at her.
"Why would he need it?""
"Because he said the certificate proves something about your mother that could invalidate the second will.""
Nathan took the document.
It was a photocopy of an old hospital admission record.
Rebecca Bennett had been admitted following a serious automobile collision.
The date matched the night of her accident.
But the discharge section contained an unexpected entry.
*Patient transferred to private care under the authorization of Thomas Bennett.*
I looked at Vanessa.
"Where was she transferred?""
"Thomas said a private clinic in Vermont.""
"Did she die there?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"He wouldn't tell me.""
Nathan examined the form.
"There's a physician's name.""
I leaned closer.
Dr. Samuel Whitaker.
Nathan immediately searched his contact records.
"I know that name.""
"From where?""
"He signed the medical assessment in your grandfather's final estate file.""
My heart began racing.
"Can we find him?""
Nathan made a call.
After several minutes, he turned toward us.
"He's alive. He's retired and living in Vermont.""
"Then let's go.""
Nathan hesitated.
"Claire, there's one more issue.""
He showed me a message from the trust's security team.
Thomas had filed an emergency petition claiming that I was not legally entitled to exercise voting authority over Bennett Capital Trust.
The petition included the amended birth certificate.
If the court accepted it before the DNA verification was completed, my authority could be temporarily suspended.
I stared at the screen.
"How long do we have?""
"Forty-eight hours before the emergency hearing.""
Vanessa sat down.
"Thomas told me this would happen.""
I looked at her.
"What else did he tell you?""
She hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"My mother gave me this before she died. She told me never to open it unless I found out what happened to Rebecca.""
Inside was a photograph of two newborn babies lying beside each other in a hospital nursery.
One wore a pink bracelet.
The other wore a blue bracelet.
A handwritten note was attached.
*One child was registered as Rebecca's. The other was registered as Margaret's.*
I stared at the photograph.
"Two babies?""
Vanessa nodded.
"My mother believed there were twins.""
Nathan examined the image.
"Do you know which baby was Claire?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"No.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Then I noticed the date.
It was the same day my official birth certificate said I was born.
Nathan turned the photograph over.
On the back were two names.
*CLAIRE BENNETT.*
And beneath it:
*REBECCA'S OTHER DAUGHTER — IDENTITY WITHHELD.*
I looked at Vanessa.
"Who was the other baby?""
She started crying.
"My mother said Thomas took her.""
My phone rang.
It was Nathan's investigator.
I answered.
"Have you found Dr. Whitaker?""
The investigator sounded breathless.
"Yes, Mrs. Hale. But there's a problem.""
"What?""
"We located his residence. His neighbors say he disappeared three days ago.""
"Did he leave a forwarding address?""
"No.""
I closed my eyes.
Then the investigator added:
"However, we found something in his mailbox. An envelope addressed to you.""
Nathan took the phone.
"What's inside?""
A long silence followed.
Then the investigator spoke.
"An original DNA report from twenty years ago.""
"Whose DNA?""
The answer made me grip the edge of the table.
"Claire Bennett and Vanessa Reed.""
He paused.
"According to the report, they're not half-sisters.""
I looked at Vanessa.
May you like
The investigator continued.
"They're identical twins.""
