Chapter 12: The Person Behind Everything
I couldn’t breathe.
My father’s name appeared again.
Every secret.
Every missing dollar.
Every lie.
Somehow, it always came back to him.
But how?
He had been gone for years.
Dead.
I looked at Daniel.
“How?””
Daniel shook his head.
“That’s what we need to find out.””
I pointed at the document.
“That signature was verified?””
“Yes.””
“Then my father signed it.””
“According to the records.””
I looked at Mom.
She looked terrified.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
“You knew.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t know this existed.””
“But you knew something.””
She didn’t answer.
“Mom.””
She looked down.
“I knew your father had contacted your grandfather before he died.””
My heart pounded.
“About what?””
She whispered:
“About you.””
I felt angry.
“About me?””
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
She closed her eyes.
“He wanted to make sure you were protected.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Protected from what?””
She didn’t answer.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Ethan, there is a missing piece here.””
“What piece?””
“Your father’s death.””
The room went silent.
I stared.
“What about it?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Your father’s death was ruled accidental.””
My stomach tightened.
“But?””
“But your grandfather never believed that.””
I froze.
“Why?””
“Because your father had been investigating financial activity involving several people.””
My mind raced.
“Richard?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That was enough.
I looked at Mom.
“Did you know?””
She whispered:
“I suspected.””
The pain was worse than anger.
Because she knew.
She knew there was something wrong.
And she still let me grow up without answers.
“I was trying to keep you safe.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
My voice broke.
“You were keeping me away from the truth.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
“What?””
He walked away.
A few seconds later, he returned.
“Ethan.””
“What?””
“We need to leave.””
My stomach dropped.
“Why?””
He looked toward the front window.
“There is someone outside.””
I turned.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
The engine was running.
“Who is that?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
Then the driver’s door opened.
A man stepped out.
Someone I had never seen before.
But Mom had.
The color disappeared from her face.
“No…”
I looked at her.
“Who is he?””
She whispered:
“He’s the man who helped Richard.””
My heart raced.
“Helped him do what?””
Mom backed away.
“He’s the reason your grandfather was afraid.””
The man started walking toward the house.
Daniel grabbed the folder.
“Ethan, we need to go now.””
But before we could move, the front door opened.
The man stood there.
And he looked directly at me.
“Ethan Carter?””
I didn’t answer.
He smiled slightly.
“I think it’s time you learned what your father really died protecting.””
Then he held up a small black notebook.
May you like
My grandfather’s notebook.
The one everyone thought had disappeared after his death.
