Chapter 4: The Dead Man Who Wasn't Dead
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Nathaniel stood motionless, staring at the photograph of his supposedly dead uncle.
Charles Callaway had been declared dead six months earlier after a private plane crash off the coast of Florida. His funeral had been attended by senators, CEOs, and some of the wealthiest families in America.
Nathaniel had personally delivered the eulogy.
Now my mother was telling us the man was alive.
“That's impossible,” Nathaniel finally said.
Grace placed the photograph on the table.
“I wish it were.””
“My uncle's plane crashed. They recovered the wreckage. There was a funeral.””
“Did you see his body?””
Nathaniel's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Grace shook her head.
“Richard taught Charles everything he knew. They were experts at making people believe what they wanted them to believe.””
Eleanor lowered herself onto a chair.
“Charles was supposed to have died in the crash, but I never believed it.””
Nathaniel turned toward her.
“You knew?””
“I suspected. I found financial records showing payments to an offshore account bearing his initials. The payments continued after his funeral.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because every time I asked questions, someone threatened me.””
I looked at the photograph again.
Victoria stood beside Charles, smiling at the camera. Her hand rested possessively on his arm.
“When was this taken?”” I asked.
Grace checked the back.
“Three weeks ago.””
Nathaniel grabbed the photograph.
“Three weeks? That's after his funeral!””
“Exactly.””
He walked toward the windows, running a hand through his hair.
“My uncle helped raise me. He taught me how to negotiate my first business deal. He sat beside me when my father died.””
Grace's voice softened.
“He also helped your father steal you from me.””
Nathaniel turned sharply.
“Why would he want me?””
“Because Richard wanted a biological heir he could control. Your father believed the Callaway fortune belonged to the male line. He wanted you raised as his perfect successor.””
“And Rose?””
Grace looked at me.
“Rose was evidence that he had taken a child from her mother.””
I felt a lump in my throat.
“So they just left me?””
“They arranged for you to disappear into the foster system. Your records were altered. Every time I came close to finding you, someone moved you.””
My hands curled into fists.
“Who?””
Grace hesitated.
“Charles.””
A sudden knock interrupted us.
Marcus entered the room.
“Mr. Callaway, the police are downstairs. They want statements regarding the incident on the rooftop.””
Nathaniel nodded.
“Let them up.””
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
“There's another issue. Victoria's attorney has arrived. He claims she was assaulted and unlawfully detained.””
Nathaniel laughed bitterly.
“She pushed my mother over a building.””
“I know, sir. But he says the surveillance footage is being challenged because the security system was installed without proper notice.””
Grace stood.
“That's what Charles does. He makes evidence disappear.””
Nathaniel turned toward Marcus.
“Secure every recording. Make three copies. Send one to the police, one to an independent forensic company, and one to our legal department.””
“Yes, sir.””
“And nobody touches the original system.””
Marcus nodded and left.
I approached my mother.
“Why did you come back now?””
She looked down at her hands.
“Because Charles sent me a message.””
“What message?””
Grace pulled a folded piece of paper from her coat.
Nathaniel took it.
It contained only one sentence.
If you want your daughter to survive her twenty-eighth birthday, stop digging.
My birthday was in nine days.
A chill moved down my spine.
“He knows where I work,” I whispered.
Grace nodded.
“He knows everything about you.””
“Then why didn't you warn me?””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“Several times. I sent letters to your old foster homes. I even went to one of your workplaces.””
I stared at her.
“I never received anything.””
“I know.””
Nathaniel's expression darkened.
“Someone intercepted them.””
Grace looked toward Eleanor.
“Someone inside this family.””
Eleanor began shaking.
“I think I know who.””
Before she could continue, the penthouse lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then everything went dark.
A security alarm screamed through the apartment.
Marcus shouted from the corridor.
“MR. CALLAWAY! GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS!””
Nathaniel grabbed my arm.
“Everyone down!””
A heavy crash sounded near the entrance.
Glass shattered.
Someone was inside.
I heard footsteps moving across the marble floor.
Then a man's voice spoke through the darkness.
“Good evening, Nathaniel.””
Nathaniel froze.
“Uncle Charles?””
A flashlight clicked on.
A familiar face appeared.
Older, thinner, but unmistakable.
Charles Callaway smiled.
“Hello, nephew.””
May you like
Then he raised a pistol.
“Now, let's discuss what your mother has been hiding.””
