Chapter 13: The Man My Father Trusted
I stared at Daniel.
The photograph shook between my fingers.
My mind refused to accept what I was seeing.
My father.
Outside the country club.
The night he died.
Standing beside Daniel Hayes.
The same man who had rescued me.
The same man who claimed my father trusted him.
The same man who said he had spent years protecting me.
“Explain.””
My voice was barely above a whisper.
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
That was enough to hurt.
Richard leaned back in his chair.
“Ask him where he was that night.””
The police officers watched silently.
Evelyn looked between us.
“Daniel?””
His jaw tightened.
“I was there.””
The words hit harder than I expected.
“You were there?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Daniel looked down.
“Because your father asked me not to.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
The anger building inside me finally broke.
“No more secrets.””
Daniel looked at me.
“I know.””
“Do you?””
My voice cracked.
“Everyone keeps saying they were protecting me.””
I pointed at the photograph.
“But nobody protected me from the truth.””
The room went quiet.
Daniel accepted the words.
“You’re right.””
Richard smiled.
“There it is.””
Daniel looked at him.
“You’re enjoying this too much.””
“Because for once, you’re not the one controlling the information.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Tell me everything.””
He took a deep breath.
“Your father called me the night he died.””
“Why?””
“He knew something was wrong.””
“What did he say?””
Daniel’s eyes moved toward the photograph.
“He told me he had discovered someone inside the foundation was moving money.””
I already knew that.
“What else?””
“He said he found the person responsible.””
“Who?””
Daniel hesitated.
Richard laughed.
“Tell her.””
Daniel ignored him.
“Your father wanted to meet me at the country club.””
“Why?””
“Because he had evidence.””
“And?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“When I arrived, Richard was already there.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happened?””
Daniel’s voice lowered.
“They argued.””
“About what?””
“The evidence.””
“Then?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Your father told me to leave.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because he knew things were about to get dangerous.””
The room became silent.
“You left?””
“Yes.””
I felt betrayed all over again.
“You left him there.””
Daniel looked away.
“Yes.””
Richard smiled.
“And after that, your father died.””
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Richard.””
But I noticed something.
Daniel wasn’t angry because Richard was lying.
He was angry because there was truth mixed with it.
I looked at the photograph again.
“Why did you hide this from me?””
Daniel answered quietly.
“Because your father made me promise.””
“Promise what?””
“That I would protect you from the people responsible.””
I stared at him.
“By lying to me?””
His face fell.
“I thought I was keeping you alive.””
The words made the room colder.
Richard suddenly laughed.
“Still playing the hero.””
Daniel turned.
“You know exactly what happened.””
“Yes.””
Richard leaned forward.
“And you know exactly why your father died.””
I looked at him.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody answered.
Then Richard smiled.
“Because Daniel wasn’t the only person there.””
Evelyn’s face changed.
“What are you talking about?””
Richard looked at her.
“You know.””
The silence was terrifying.
I looked at Evelyn.
Then Daniel.
Then Richard.
“How many people were there that night?””
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Daniel whispered:
“Four.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Your father.””
“Me.””
“Richard.””
He paused.
“And someone else.””
I waited.
But Daniel didn’t say the name.
“Who?””
May you like
His eyes met mine.
“Your mother.””
