Chapter 8: The Attorney Who Knew Everything
The man stood beside the car like he owned the entire lake.
Like he had been waiting years for this moment.
Nia’s hand tightened around my arm.
“Don’t trust him.””
The man smiled.
“I see you brought company.””
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I stepped forward.
“Who are you?””
He adjusted his coat.
“Daniel Whitmore.””
The name meant nothing.
But the way Nia reacted told me everything.
“You know him,” I said.
She looked away.
“Yes.””
“How?””
Daniel answered for her.
“I represented your father for twelve years.””
I stared at him.
“My father’s attorney.””
“Exactly.””
“You disappeared.””
A small smile crossed his face.
“I retired.””
“No.””
I looked at Nia.
“You said he changed his name.””
Daniel’s smile faded slightly.
“Interesting.””
That single word made my instincts scream.
He wasn’t surprised.
He was measuring us.
“You knew I would find out.””
He looked at me.
“Your father hoped you would.””
I felt anger rise.
“My father hoped?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t he tell me?””
Daniel walked closer.
“Because he knew someone was watching him.””
The lake suddenly felt colder.
“Who?””
Daniel looked at Nia.
Then back at me.
“That depends on who you trust.””
I hated that answer.
Everyone had been giving me pieces.
Nobody gave me the whole truth.
“My father was poisoned?””
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Who told you that?””
I didn’t answer.
He looked at Nia.
And I saw something.
Disappointment.
“You shouldn’t have told him yet.””
My chest tightened.
“You knew?””
“Yes.””
The answer came easily.
“How long?””
“Since the day it happened.””
My hands curled into fists.
“You knew my father was murdered and said nothing?””
Daniel looked at me.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“Everyone says that.””
“And everyone was wrong.””
He reached into his briefcase.
Then pulled out a folder.
Inside was a medical report.
A police document.
Photographs.
I didn’t want to look.
But I did.
My father’s name was everywhere.
My eyes moved across the pages.
Cause of death.
Toxicology report.
Something had been missed.
Something hidden.
“Who did this?””
Daniel closed the folder.
“That’s the question your father wanted answered.””
I looked at him.
“You mean he knew?””
“He suspected.””
“And he still died.””
Daniel nodded.
“He left instructions.””
“For what?””
“To reveal everything only when you were ready.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Ready?””
I looked around.
“My wedding was destroyed today.””
Daniel didn’t react.
“Your wedding was never the real target.””
“What?””
He looked at me.
“Your inheritance was.””
My stomach tightened.
“By who?””
Daniel opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
A phone rang.
His phone.
He looked at the screen.
The color drained from his face.
“What?””
He answered.
Nobody spoke.
Then Daniel whispered:
“No. That’s impossible.””
He hung up.
I stared at him.
“What happened?””
He looked at me.
“The trust documents were changed.””
My heart sank.
“What?””
“Someone accessed the account today.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked toward Nia.
She immediately shook her head.
“Not me.””
Daniel looked back at me.
“The transfer was authorized using your identity.””
I felt sick.
“My identity?””
He nodded.
“Your digital signature.””
“That’s impossible.””
“No.””
Daniel’s voice became serious.
“It’s possible because someone has been preparing this for years.””
I looked at Nia.
She looked terrified.
“Marcus…”
I ignored her.
“Who?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then said:
“The person who knew your father’s secrets before anyone else.””
My phone buzzed.
A new message.
Unknown number.
*Stop looking for answers. Your father died because he trusted the wrong person. You will too.*
I showed Daniel.
His face changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
“You know this number?””
He slowly nodded.
“Yes.””
“Who is it?””
Daniel looked at me.
May you like
And whispered:
“The person who signed your father’s death certificate.””
