Chapter 12: The Mother Who Never Died
I watched the screen in disbelief.
My father had spoken those words calmly, as though he were discussing an ordinary business problem.
But I could barely stand.
"My mother put me in the car?""
Richard looked away.
Detective Bennett paused the recording.
"Mr. Hayes, we need to preserve this video as evidence.""
I shook my head.
"Play it.""
She hesitated.
Then she restarted the recording.
My father's face appeared again.
"Michael, I don't know when you'll see this. I only know that if you are watching, the people I tried to protect have finally exposed themselves.""
He took a breath.
"Your mother discovered that I intended to remove her from the company accounts. She believed I was going to leave her with nothing. She was angry, and she made an agreement with Richard.""
The recording skipped briefly.
Then my father continued.
"She arranged for you to drive to the warehouse that night. She told you there was an emergency involving the company. What you didn't know was that the emergency was fabricated.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Your mother wanted you to sign a transfer agreement. Richard was supposed to convince you. Daniel was already involved in the medical arrangements. They expected you to become dependent on others after the accident.""
I turned toward Richard.
He was staring at the floor.
My father continued.
"I discovered the plan before it happened. I contacted Martin and asked him to intervene. But I was too late.""
The screen went black.
I stood motionless.
Detective Bennett looked at Richard.
"Is that true?""
Richard slowly nodded.
"Yes.""
I stepped toward him.
"You knew my mother planned this?""
"I knew she wanted the company transferred.""
"You knew I was going to be in danger?""
He didn't answer.
I grabbed his shirt.
"YOU KNEW?""
The officers separated us.
Richard looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"I thought you would survive.""
I stared at him.
"You thought?""
He lowered his head.
"I was drowning in debt. Your mother promised to help me. She said the accident would leave you unable to manage the business, not kill you.""
I struggled to process his words.
"Who was driving the car that night?""
Richard swallowed.
"Your mother.""
I stepped backward.
For eight months, I had believed my life had changed because of a tragic accident.
I had spent countless nights wondering what I could have done differently.
I had blamed the rain, the road, and my own driving.
But the woman who had taught me how to ride a bicycle had arranged the entire thing.
And she was still alive.
Detective Bennett's phone rang.
She listened briefly.
Then she looked at me.
"Mr. Hayes, we've located Martin Cole.""
"Where?""
"At a private residential facility outside Atlanta.""
"Is he willing to speak?""
"He specifically asked to speak with you.""
I looked at the photograph.
Martin had been my father's most trusted security officer.
He had attended my graduation, my wedding, and even Sophie's first birthday.
If anyone knew what happened, it was him.
We drove to the facility with two officers.
Martin was sitting beside a window when we entered.
He looked older, thinner, and deeply tired.
When he saw me, his eyes filled with tears.
"Michael.""
I stood in front of him.
"Where is my mother?""
He closed his eyes.
"Alive.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Where?""
"I don't know her exact location anymore.""
"Why did you help her disappear?""
Martin looked toward Detective Bennett.
"Because your father asked me to.""
I frowned.
"What?""
Martin took a breath.
"Your father discovered that Eleanor had arranged the accident. He also discovered she was planning to destroy evidence that connected her to the company thefts.""
"Then why didn't he report her?""
"He wanted to give her one chance to confess. He arranged for her to disappear temporarily so he could recover the original records.""
I shook my head.
"That makes no sense. My father died before any of this.""
Martin nodded.
"He died before he could finish the plan.""
I stared at him.
"Who killed him?""
Martin looked down.
"I don't know.""
"Was it my mother?""
He remained silent.
That silence was unbearable.
I stepped closer.
"Martin, I need the truth.""
He reached into a drawer and removed a small silver key.
"Your mother gave me this shortly before your accident. She told me to keep it safe until you recovered.""
I took it.
"What does it open?""
"An apartment in Buckhead. She rented it under another name.""
Detective Bennett immediately wrote down the address.
Martin grabbed my wrist.
"Michael, there's something else.""
I looked at him.
"Your mother has been watching Sophie.""
My stomach dropped.
"How?""
"She visited your house twice. Once when you were in rehabilitation. Another time after you came home.""
I felt sick.
"Did she approach my daughter?""
Martin nodded.
"She told Sophie that her daddy was going to get better.""
I remembered Sophie's words.
Mommy talking to Grandma.
At night.
On the phone.
I swallowed.
"Why would she do that?""
Martin looked directly into my eyes.
"Because Eleanor believes Sophie knows where your father hid the original company shares.""
I frowned.
"That's impossible. Sophie was a baby when my father died.""
Martin nodded slowly.
"Exactly. But your father hid the final key inside something he gave her before he passed away.""
I thought about Sophie's childhood belongings.
Her stuffed animals.
Her picture books.
The little wooden jewelry box my father had made for her.
Then Martin said something that made my blood run cold.
"Michael, your mother knows about that box. And she's going to your house tonight.""
My phone rang.
It was the officer guarding Sophie.
I answered immediately.
"What's happening?""
His voice was frantic.
"Mr. Hayes, you need to get here now.""
"What happened?""
"Your daughter received a package.""
I felt my heart stop.
"What package?""
The officer lowered his voice.
"It contains a photograph of your mother.""
"Is she outside?""
A long silence followed.
Then he said:
"No, sir. She's already inside the house.""
I looked at Detective Bennett.
She immediately ordered the car turned around.
My phone vibrated again.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*Michael, I've waited six years to see my granddaughter. Don't make me leave without her.*
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then another message arrived.
*And bring the little wooden box. I know exactly where your father hid the shares.*
