Chapter 6: My Father Knew Him
The police took Diane and Evan's abandoned car into evidence.
But Nathan remained standing beside me.
Neither of us spoke until we reached the kitchen.
I placed the photograph on the counter.
“My father knew you.””
Nathan stared at it.
“Yes.””
“How long?””
He rubbed both hands over his face.
“Since before you met me.””
“How?””
“My father worked for yours.””
I frowned.
“My father owned a construction company.””
“I know.””
“He hired my dad when I was a kid.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Then why didn't you ever tell me?””
Nathan swallowed.
“Because your father didn't want you to know.””
“Why?””
“He knew my family.””
“That doesn't answer my question.””
Nathan looked toward the window.
“He knew what my mother was capable of.””
A cold silence settled over the room.
“You're telling me my father knew Diane?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“My mother worked for your father’s company.””
I stared at him.
“Diane worked for my father?””
“Years ago.””
“What did she do?””
“Accounts.””
My heart began pounding.
“My father trusted her?””
“He did at first.””
“What happened?””
Nathan looked at the photograph.
“She was fired.””
“Why?””
He hesitated.
“Money.””
The word landed heavily.
“How much?””
“I don't know.””
“You do know.””
He looked at me.
“Your father accused her of moving money between accounts.””
“And?””
“My mother said she was innocent.””
“Was she?””
Nathan didn't answer.
That was enough.
I pulled out a chair.
“Sit.””
He sat.
I remained standing.
“Start from the beginning.””
Nathan took a breath.
“My father was a contractor. Your father hired him for several projects. My mother handled some of the bookkeeping.””
“And she stole money?””
“She was accused of it.””
“By my father.””
“Yes.””
“What did my father do?””
“He fired her.””
“And then?””
“She threatened him.””
My skin prickled.
“What kind of threat?””
Nathan looked directly at me.
“She said she'd destroy his family.””
I remembered the photograph of my father outside the hospital.
“Why were you with him?””
“I was sixteen.””
Nathan's voice became quieter.
“My father had been injured at a job site. Your father came to the hospital.””
I stared at him.
“He helped your family.””
“Yes.””
“Then why would you help Diane steal from me?””
Nathan looked ashamed.
“Because my mother spent my entire life telling me your father destroyed ours.””
I shook my head.
“And you believed her.””
“I was young.””
“You're not young now.””
He looked down.
“No.””
I walked to the counter and opened my laptop.
“My father left me his estate documents.””
Nathan nodded.
“I know.””
“There's something in them you didn't know about.””
He looked up.
“What?””
I pulled up the scanned file I had saved months ago.
My father had left a letter addressed to me.
I had never read it.
Not properly.
I had assumed it was sentimental.
Now I opened it.
The first line made my heart stop.
*Rachel, if you are reading this, Nathan Carter has already entered your life.*
I looked at Nathan.
He went pale.
“What does it say?””
I kept reading.
*I don't know whether he came to you willingly or because of his mother. Either way, don't give him control over the property.*
Nathan stood.
“Give me that.””
I moved the laptop away.
“Sit down.””
“Rachel, you don't understand.””
“I understand that my father knew exactly who you were.””
“There’s more.””
“I know.””
I scrolled.
The letter continued.
*There is one person who knows the entire truth. I have protected her for years. Her name is Margaret Ellis.*
I stopped.
Margaret.
My father's former secretary.
She had disappeared from my life shortly after his death.
I remembered asking about her once.
Diane had told me she was unreliable.
Nathan stared at the screen.
“You need to find her.””
“Why?””
“Because she witnessed what happened.””
“What happened?””
He didn't answer.
“Nathan.””
He closed his eyes.
“The divorce.””
I froze.
“My father knew the divorce was going to be forged?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“He confronted my mother.””
“When?””
“Before your wedding.””
I stared at him.
“My wedding?””
“The ceremony you thought was your wedding.””
I felt sick.
“What did my father say?””
Nathan whispered:
“He told my mother that if she ever touched your inheritance, he'd expose everything.””
“Everything about what?””
Nathan's phone began ringing.
We both looked at it.
The caller ID said:
*Diane.*
Nathan didn't answer.
It rang again.
Then a text appeared.
*Your father left Rachel the truth. Margaret has it. Find her before Rachel does.*
Nathan's face drained of color.
I read the message twice.
Then another one arrived.
This time from an unknown number.
*Rachel, don't trust Nathan. I know what happened the night before your wedding.*
My heart pounded.
I typed:
*Who is this?*
The reply came almost immediately.
*Margaret Ellis.*
Then a second message appeared.
*Your father didn't die believing you were safe. He died knowing Diane had already planned how to take everything from you.*
I stared at the screen.
Nathan whispered my name.
But I was already typing.
*Where are you?*
Margaret replied:
*Somewhere Nathan can't find me.*
A pause.
May you like
Then:
*And Rachel, there is something you need to know about the night your father died.*
