Chapter 14: The Secret Hidden Behind My Study Wall
Robert immediately put the call on speaker.
"Ms. Mitchell, this is Robert Hayes, Mrs. Williams's attorney. What exactly are they planning to remove?""
Lauren took a breath.
"A safe.""
I frowned.
"What safe?""
"The one behind the panel in your husband's study.""
I turned toward Marcus.
He looked away.
I knew about the small safe in his office, but I'd never paid much attention to it. Marcus had always said it contained old business paperwork.
"What is inside it?"" Robert asked.
Lauren hesitated.
"Documents. A laptop. And something Patricia calls the original package.""
Robert's expression hardened.
"Do you know what documents?""
"No. But Daniel told me the package contained evidence that could make Vanessa's ownership claim difficult to defend.""
I stared at the phone.
"How can someone else's documents affect my ownership?""
Lauren answered.
"That's exactly why I called. I don't think the documents are legitimate.""
Robert asked her to preserve all communications with Daniel and Patricia.
She agreed.
Then the call ended.
I turned toward Marcus.
"What's in your study safe?""
He rubbed his face.
"I don't know what Patricia put in there.""
"That's not what I asked.""
He remained silent.
Robert stepped forward.
"Mr. Williams, if there are documents related to this matter inside the property, they must not be removed, destroyed, or altered.""
Marcus finally spoke.
"There's a laptop.""
"Whose laptop?""
"Patricia's.""
I stared at him.
"Why is your sister keeping a laptop in your study?""
He swallowed.
"She said she needed somewhere to store some files.""
"What files?""
"Business records.""
Robert looked at him.
"Do you have the combination?""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then we need to preserve the contents through the proper process.""
The officer approached.
"We can arrange for the appropriate personnel to document the safe and its contents.""
I nodded.
"Please do.""
We walked upstairs together.
The hallway was quiet now.
The birthday music had been turned off. The decorations downstairs looked strangely out of place.
I stopped outside Marcus's study.
For six years, I'd respected his privacy.
I'd never searched his drawers or questioned the papers on his desk.
Now I wondered how many secrets had been hidden behind that closed door.
Marcus unlocked it.
The room smelled of leather and expensive cologne.
His desk was covered with business folders.
A framed photograph of us stood beside the computer.
I picked it up.
It had been taken on our fifth wedding anniversary.
We were smiling beside the ocean, his arm around my waist.
I put it back.
"Open the safe," Robert said.
Marcus entered the combination.
The metal door clicked.
Inside were several envelopes, a black laptop, a small external drive, and a thick blue folder.
Robert immediately stopped him from touching anything.
"Officer, please photograph the contents before removal.""
The officer took several pictures.
Then Robert carefully examined the folder.
Its cover read:
*WILLIAMS PROPERTY TRANSFER — FINAL DOCUMENTS.*
I felt my stomach tighten.
Robert opened it.
The first page was a draft property transfer agreement.
The second was a notarized declaration.
The third was a document claiming that I had agreed to sell the house for $1.4 million.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
Again.
I stared at the page.
"How many times have they copied my signature?""
Robert examined the document.
"Enough times that we need a complete forensic review.""
The officer photographed every page.
Then Robert noticed an envelope tucked inside the folder.
It had my name written across it.
Vanessa Williams.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a handwritten note.
It wasn't from Marcus.
It was from Patricia.
Marcus, if Vanessa refuses to cooperate, use the old trust agreement. Daniel has agreed to handle the legal side. Once the property is transferred, Brianna gets her share, and we settle the remaining debts.
I read it twice.
At the bottom was another sentence.
Make sure Vanessa never discovers the second account.
I looked at Robert.
"The second account?""
He turned toward Marcus.
"Do you know what she's referring to?""
Marcus shook his head.
"I've never heard of it.""
But his expression suggested otherwise.
Robert asked the officer to preserve the letter.
Then he examined the laptop.
"We should not access this without proper documentation.""
The officer nodded.
While they prepared the evidence inventory, I noticed something beneath the desk.
A small black notebook.
I picked it up.
Robert looked over.
"Vanessa, don't open it yet.""
But the notebook had fallen open in my hands.
Inside were handwritten figures, dates, and account references.
One entry was circled in red.
*$475,000 — Vanessa W. — Reserve Account.*
My heart began racing.
"Robert, look at this.""
He examined the page.
"Do you recognize the account number?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
He photographed the entry.
"Your father may have established another reserve account, or this may be a fabricated reference. We'll need the financial adviser to verify it.""
Then Marcus spoke.
"Patricia told me about that account.""
I turned sharply.
"What account?""
He swallowed.
"She said your father had set aside money that wasn't included in the estate distribution.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know whether it was real.""
Robert looked at him.
"Did Patricia say who controlled it?""
Marcus nodded.
"She said Vanessa did.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Then why was she trying to get it?""
Marcus looked toward the safe.
"Because she believed she could convince the bank to release it using the trust documents.""
Robert immediately called the financial adviser.
After several minutes, he ended the call.
"Vanessa, the adviser has located a reference to a reserve account.""
I held my breath.
"Is it mine?""
"It appears to be an account established by your father with you named as beneficiary. The current balance and ownership details are being verified.""
I felt tears in my eyes.
Another account.
Another piece of my father's legacy that someone had tried to exploit.
Then the officer's phone rang.
He listened, frowned, and turned toward Robert.
"We have a problem.""
"What happened?""
"Patricia has just arrived at the property.""
I looked toward the hallway.
"She's here?""
The officer nodded.
"She says she has legal authority to collect her belongings.""
Robert shook his head.
"She has no authority to remove evidence.""
A moment later, Patricia's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Vanessa! I know you're in there!""
I walked toward the staircase.
She stood in the entrance wearing a cream-colored coat and holding a large handbag.
She looked perfectly composed.
As if she hadn't spent months helping arrange the attempted sale of my home.
Her eyes moved toward the blue folder in the officer's hands.
Then she smiled.
"Well, I see you've found it.""
I stepped down one stair.
"What did you do with my father's money?""
Her smile faded slightly.
"Your father owed me something.""
Robert approached.
"Ms. Williams, you're going to need to explain the documents in your possession.""
Patricia ignored him.
She looked directly at me.
"Vanessa, there's something you don't know about your father.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
She opened her handbag and removed a folded piece of paper.
"Your father didn't just leave you money.""
May you like
She placed the paper on the table.
"He left you a debt.""
