Chapter 6: The Lawyer Who Lied to My Father
At 8:15 the next morning, we stood outside Harlan and Pierce Attorneys at Law in downtown Columbus.
The sky was gray, and a bitter wind swept across the parking lot. Ethan wore his work uniform because he had gone straight from his overnight shift. Lily carried her phone in both hands. My father hadn't spoken much during the drive.
Linda had insisted on coming.
She claimed she wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, but I noticed she had changed into a navy suit and applied fresh makeup. She looked prepared for a business meeting, not a family crisis.
Chloe stayed home.
Before we left, she had cornered me near the stairs.
“Emily, please don't let Dad send Mom to prison.””
I stared at her.
“Did you think about prison when you accused Ethan of attacking you?””
She flinched.
“I didn't think it would go that far.””
“You ripped your own shirt, broke a lamp, and lied about being attacked. What did you think would happen?””
Tears filled her eyes.
“Mom said we would lose everything if Ethan got the money.””
“And you believed her.””
“She said Dad would choose you and Ethan over us. She said we would end up with nothing.””
I looked at her for a long moment.
“You nearly made Ethan lose everything because you were afraid of losing something yourself.””
Chloe had no response.
Now, standing outside the attorney's office, I watched my father straighten his tie.
“Whatever happens in there,” he said to Ethan, “I want you to know I'm sorry.””
Ethan looked at him.
“For what?””
“For not listening.””
The wind tugged at Ethan's jacket.
“You didn't just fail to listen, Dad. You opened the door and told me to leave.””
My father nodded slowly.
“I know.””
“And when Linda threatened the police, you didn't stop her.””
“I know.””
Ethan looked toward the office entrance.
“I don't know how to forgive you for that.””
Dad's eyes glistened.
“You don't have to decide today.””
For the first time, I believed he understood that an apology wasn't a magic key that could unlock everything he'd broken.
We entered the building.
Mr. Harlan's receptionist looked surprised to see us.
“Mr. Harlan is in a meeting.””
“Tell him Robert Mitchell is here,” my father said.
“And tell him we have questions about James Mitchell's estate.””
The receptionist disappeared behind a door.
Less than a minute later, she returned.
“He can see you now.””
Mr. Harlan stood when we entered his office. He was in his late fifties, with silver hair, expensive glasses, and the carefully reassuring smile of a man who had spent his career convincing people that difficult situations were under control.
“Robert,” he said warmly.
“What a surprise.””
Dad didn't shake his hand.
“We need to discuss Ethan's inheritance.””
The smile vanished.
“Of course. Please, sit down.””
Ethan remained standing.
“Where is my money?””
Harlan adjusted his glasses.
“That's a complicated matter.””
“Four hundred and eighty thousand dollars was placed in a trust for me. The latest statement shows less than forty thousand remaining. Explain that.””
Harlan glanced at Linda.
She gave him the smallest shake of her head.
I saw it.
So did Lily.
“Mr. Harlan,” Lily said, “we have recordings.””
His eyes moved to her phone.
“What kind of recordings?””
“One where you tell Linda the trust withdrawals could trigger a review. And another where she threatens to expose your involvement.””
Harlan slowly removed his glasses.
Linda stood.
“This is absurd. These children have misunderstood a private conversation.””
“Sit down, Linda,” my father said.
She stared at him.
“I beg your pardon?””
“You heard me.””
For a moment, I thought she might refuse.
Then she sat.
Harlan folded his hands on his desk.
“I think we should all remain calm. There may have been administrative errors in the management of the trust.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“Four hundred thousand dollars isn't an administrative error.””
“No, of course not.””
“Then where did it go?””
Harlan looked at my father.
“Robert, your wife was authorized to manage certain assets on Ethan's behalf.””
“Was she authorized to spend the money on a Florida house?””
“Not without proper documentation.””
“Did you provide that documentation?””
Harlan hesitated.
That hesitation was answer enough.
My father struck the desk with his palm.
“Did you help her?””
Harlan's face tightened.
“I was attempting to protect the estate from unnecessary disruption.””
“By helping her steal from my son?””
“That's a serious accusation.””
“So is the evidence sitting on Lily's phone!””
Harlan rose.
“I think this meeting should end until everyone has obtained legal representation.””
Ethan reached into his pocket and placed the brass key on the desk.
“I don't need to argue with you.””
Harlan stared at the key.
“Where did you get that?””
“My grandfather gave it to me.””
The attorney's expression changed so dramatically that I felt the room tilt beneath me.
He reached for the key, but Ethan snatched it back.
“What is it?”” Ethan demanded.
Harlan sat down slowly.
“Your grandfather left certain documents in secure storage. I was instructed to release them directly to you when you reached twenty-one.””
Ethan's voice sharpened.
“I'm twenty-two.””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't you contact me?””
Harlan looked toward Linda.
She was no longer pretending to be calm.
“Because,” Harlan said carefully, “your stepmother presented documents claiming you had voluntarily surrendered your interest in the trust.””
Ethan stared at him.
“I never signed anything.””
“I understand that now.””
“Now?””
My father gripped the back of a chair.
“You accepted her documents without verifying them?””
Harlan didn't answer.
Ethan picked up the key.
“Where's the storage locker?””
“An off-site records facility. I can arrange access.””
“No. You're going to tell us the location, and we're going there with independent counsel.””
Harlan's mouth tightened.
“Ethan, there are matters in those files that may affect your entire family.””
“Good.””
The attorney looked at my father.
“Robert, before you do anything, you need to understand that James's final instructions weren't limited to the inheritance.””
Dad went still.
“What else was there?””
Harlan opened a locked drawer and removed a sealed envelope.
It was old, yellowed at the edges, and marked with my grandfather's unmistakable handwriting.
*To be opened by Ethan Mitchell only.*
Ethan stared at his name.
“Why do you have that?””
“Because your grandfather instructed me to deliver it if the trust was ever compromised.””
Linda abruptly stood.
“We're leaving.””
My father turned toward her.
“Sit down.””
“No, Robert. You have no idea what that letter contains.””
The room went silent.
Harlan looked at her with open alarm.
“You said he never told you about the letter.””
Linda froze.
My father slowly turned toward his wife.
“What did you just say?””
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Ethan reached for the envelope.
Harlan slid it across the desk.
“Your grandfather believed someone might attempt to take your inheritance. He also believed that the money was only one part of what you were entitled to know.””
Ethan broke the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter and a single photocopied document.
He read the first few lines silently.
Then his hands began to shake.
“Emily,” he whispered.
“You need to see this.””
I leaned over his shoulder.
The letter began with a sentence that made my heart stop.
Ethan, if you're reading this, it means Linda has done exactly what I feared she would do.
Beneath it, Grandpa had written another sentence.
And it means your father still doesn't know the truth about the night your mother died.
My father staggered backward.
Linda's face turned white.
May you like
And Ethan, staring at the letter, asked the question none of us had ever thought to ask.
“Dad, why did Grandpa believe my mother's death had something to do with Linda?””
