Chapter 12: The Man Who Helped Them Steal My Life
I stared at the photograph until the faces blurred.
Richard.
My sister's husband.
The man who had carried Robert's coffin alongside Daniel.
The man who had stood beside me at the funeral and whispered that I could always count on family.
"Where did you get this?"" I asked.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Vanessa kept it in a folder.""
"Why?""
"I don't know. But there were other photographs.""
James took the picture.
"Did you see any documents connected to this meeting?""
Daniel nodded.
"An agreement. Richard's name was on it.""
"What agreement?""
"Something about a property management company.""
I looked at him.
"Why would Richard be involved in our house?""
Daniel shook his head.
"Because he knew about the trust.""
James placed the photograph in an evidence sleeve.
"Did your uncle have access to Robert's financial records?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Yes.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How?""
"He helped Dad with some investments years ago.""
That was true.
Richard had worked in commercial property development for decades. When Robert first began investing in rental properties, Richard had helped him evaluate several opportunities.
I'd always considered him trustworthy.
"Did your father know he was involved with Vanessa?""
Daniel shook his head.
"Not until shortly before he died.""
James looked up.
"How do you know that?""
"Because Dad called me into his study one night. He showed me a document and asked whether I knew Richard had been moving money between company accounts.""
I stared at my son.
"And what did you say?""
"I told him I didn't know.""
"Was that true?""
Daniel looked away.
"Not entirely.""
I stood.
"Daniel!""
"I knew Richard was helping Vanessa with some investments. I didn't know he was stealing.""
James spoke quietly.
"What happened during that conversation with your father?""
Daniel swallowed.
"He told me to stay away from both of them. He said Richard had been using my name to authorize transactions.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Richard said he'd report me for financial misconduct if I spoke.""
James leaned forward.
"Did your father give you any documents?""
Daniel nodded.
"He gave me an envelope.""
"Where is it?""
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
"I hid it.""
"Where?""
"In Dad's old garage cabinet.""
James immediately stood.
"Let's go.""
We searched the garage for nearly twenty minutes.
Robert's old tools were still arranged along the wall. His gardening gloves hung beside the workbench.
Daniel opened a metal cabinet and removed a small cardboard box.
Inside were several bank statements and a sealed envelope.
James examined the handwriting.
"Robert's.""
He opened it.
The first page was a letter addressed to Daniel.
My son, I know you're frightened. I know you've made mistakes. But I want you to understand that there is still time to choose the right path.
I watched Daniel read it.
His lips trembled.
The letter continued.
Richard has been working with Vanessa to gain access to the family accounts. He believes he can force a transfer of the property by challenging your mother's capacity. He has also been using your financial difficulties to pressure you into cooperating.
Daniel began crying.
"I didn't know Dad wrote this.""
James turned to the next page.
It contained a list of suspicious transactions.
Several had been made through a company called Bennett Property Management.
The director was Richard's business partner.
And the registered mailing address belonged to a law office in Charlotte.
James recognized it immediately.
"That's the office where Vanessa was photographed.""
I looked at him.
"Who works there?""
He checked the documents.
"A man named Thomas Reed.""
"Is he a lawyer?""
"Yes. He specializes in estate disputes and property transfers.""
I felt a headache forming.
"Was he involved in Robert's estate?""
James nodded slowly.
"He was one of the attorneys who reviewed the original trust documents years ago.""
I stared at the paper.
"Then he knew exactly what Robert had arranged.""
"Yes.""
James turned another page.
There was a handwritten note from Robert.
If Richard and Thomas are working together, do not assume the forged documents were created by Vanessa alone. Find the original notary records.
Officer Reynolds arrived shortly afterward.
James handed him copies of everything.
The officer listened carefully.
"Do you have a current address for Richard?""
I shook my head.
"Helen would know.""
I took out my phone and called my sister.
She answered on the second ring.
"Margaret! How are you, sweetheart?""
Her cheerful voice nearly broke me.
"Helen, I need to ask you something.""
"Of course. What's wrong?""
"Where is Richard?""
A pause.
"He's at home. Why?""
"Has he been working with Vanessa Collins?""
Silence.
Then Helen said something I hadn't expected.
"Margaret, please tell me you haven't spoken to James Harrison.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Why?""
"Because Richard said James was going to cause trouble.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Richard told you that?""
"Yes. He said your son was going to make some mistakes, but everything would eventually be settled.""
I looked at James.
He motioned for me to continue.
"Helen, what does Richard know about my house?""
She sighed.
"Margaret, I think you should let this go.""
My voice became cold.
"Let what go?""
"Richard says the property was supposed to become part of a family investment arrangement.""
"Who agreed to that?""
"He said Robert did.""
"Robert never agreed to give anyone our home.""
Helen lowered her voice.
"Margaret, Richard has been under enormous pressure. He borrowed money to help Daniel.""
I closed my eyes.
"So he knew Daniel was in debt.""
"Of course. He was trying to help.""
"By helping him steal my house?""
"Don't say that!""
I heard movement in the background.
Then a man's voice.
Richard.
"Helen, who are you talking to?""
My sister covered the phone.
I heard her whisper something.
Then Richard's voice became clear.
"Margaret?""
I said nothing.
He laughed softly.
"I suppose you've been asking questions.""
"Yes, Richard.""
"Then let me save you some trouble. Robert wasn't the only one who understood how the trust worked.""
"What are you talking about?""
He paused.
Then he said:
"Your husband signed another agreement before he died. One that gives me a legitimate financial interest in the property.""
James immediately motioned for me to put the call on speaker.
I did.
"Richard," I said, "if you have a legitimate agreement, why did Vanessa try to forge my signature?""
His voice hardened.
"Because she got impatient.""
My blood ran cold.
James leaned toward the phone.
"Mr. Bennett, this is James Harrison. Are you confirming your involvement in the attempted property transfer?""
Richard laughed.
"Careful, James. You should examine your own records before accusing anyone.""
"What does that mean?""
Richard lowered his voice.
"It means Robert didn't tell Margaret everything. And if she wants to know why he really created that trust, she should look at the first deed.""
The call disconnected.
I turned toward James.
"What's the first deed?""
He looked troubled.
"The original purchase deed from thirty-eight years ago.""
"What's wrong with it?""
James slowly opened his briefcase.
"Margaret, I think we need to investigate who actually provided the money for the house when you and Robert bought it.""
I frowned.
"Robert and I paid for it together.""
James nodded.
"That's what your records have always shown.""
He paused.
"But Richard appears to be suggesting that the original purchase involved a third party.""
My heart began pounding again.
"Who?""
James looked at me.
"Your sister.""
I stared at him.
"Helen?""
He nodded.
"And if Richard is telling the truth, your sister may have a financial claim that predates the trust itself.""
At that moment, my phone buzzed.
A message from Helen.
Margaret, please don't go to the bank tomorrow. Richard says if you open the original property file, you'll discover something that could destroy our entire family.
I read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
And there's something you need to know about Robert's death.
May you like
I stopped breathing.
Richard was the last person to visit him before he died.
