Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Call From the Call From the Dead
Daniel stared at his phone.
The name on the screen seemed Dead
Daniel stared at his phone.
The name on the screen seemed to belong to another world.
*CHRISTOPHER BROOKS.*
His to belong to another world.
*CHRISTOPHER BROOKS.*
His father's number.
The number that had been disconnected twelve years earlier.
For a moment, Daniel couldn't breathe.
Margaret looked at the screen.
Then she grabbed his arm.
“Daniel. Answer it.””
He didn't father's number.
The number that had been disconnected twelve years earlier.
For a moment, Daniel couldn't breathe.
Margaret looked at the screen.
Then she grabbed his arm.
“Daniel. Answer it.””
He didn't move.
“Mom, that number hasn't worked in twelve years.””
“Answer the phone!””
move.
“Mom, that number hasn't worked in twelve years.””
“Answer the phone!””
Detective Morgan raised her hand.
“Wait. Put it on speaker. Don't give anyone your phone.””
Daniel accepted the call.
“Hello?””
Silence.
Then a faint, raspy voice came through.
“Danny?””
Detective Morgan raised her hand.
“Wait. Put it on speaker. Don't give anyone your phone.””
Daniel accepted the call.
“Hello?””
Silence.
Then a faint, raspy voice came through.
“Danny?””
Daniel's knees nearly gave way.
He knew that voice.
He knew the slight rasp at the end of his father's sentences. He knew the way Christopher pronouncedDaniel's knees nearly gave way.
He knew that voice.
He knew the slight rasp at the end of his father's sentences. He knew the way Christopher pronounced his childhood nickname.
“Dad?””
Margaret let out a strangled cry.
“Christopher?””
There was a long pause.
Then the voice answered.
“Mom?””
Margaret covered his childhood nickname.
“Dad?””
Margaret let out a strangled cry.
“Christopher?””
There was a long pause.
Then the voice answered.
“Mom?””
Margaret covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
She reached for the phone, but Daniel held it steady.
“Where are you?”” he demanded.
“I her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
She reached for the phone, but Daniel held it steady.
“Where are you?”” he demanded.
“I can't talk long.””
“Where are you?””
“Daniel, listen to me. You have to get Noah away from Vanessa.””
Daniel can't talk long.””
“Where are you?””
“Daniel, listen to me. You have to get Noah away from Vanessa.””
Daniel looked toward the little boy.
“She's not getting near him.””
“Good.””
“Dad, looked toward the little boy.
“She's not getting near him.””
“Good.””
“Dad, are you alive?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
Margaret sank into the nearest chair.
Twelve are you alive?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
Margaret sank into the nearest chair.
Twelve years.
Twelve years of birthdays without him.
Twelve Christmas mornings.
Twelve years of visiting a grave that contained someone else's remains.
And her son was alive.
“Christopher,” she whispered.
“Where have you been?””
years.
Twelve years of birthdays without him.
Twelve Christmas mornings.
Twelve years of visiting a grave that contained someone else's remains.
And her son was alive.
“Christopher,” she whispered.
“Where have you been?””
“I'll explain everything, Mom. But you need to listen.””
Detective Morgan moved closer.
“Sir, this is Detective Morgan. Can you identify your current location?””
The voice became tense.
“Who is“I'll explain everything, Mom. But you need to listen.””
Detective Morgan moved closer.
“Sir, this is Detective Morgan. Can you identify your current location?””
The voice became tense.
“Who is that?””
“Law enforcement. We're investigating your disappearance and a possible criminal conspiracy.””
Christopher exhaled.
“Then you need to look at the records from St that?””
“Law enforcement. We're investigating your disappearance and a possible criminal conspiracy.””
Christopher exhaled.
“Then you need to look at the records from St. Andrew's Medical Center. I was admitted there under the name James Carter.””
Henry suddenly looked up.
Richard turned toward him.
Vanessa remained completely still.
Detect. Andrew's Medical Center. I was admitted there under the name James Carter.””
Henry suddenly looked up.
Richard turned toward him.
Vanessa remained completely still.
Detective Morgan spoke into the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, are you currently safe?””
“I think so.””
“You think so?””
“Iive Morgan spoke into the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, are you currently safe?””
“I think so.””
“You think so?””
“I've been watching the house.””
Daniel's eyes widened.
“Watching the house?””
“From a distance.””
“'ve been watching the house.””
Daniel's eyes widened.
“Watching the house?””
“From a distance.””
“Why didn't you come home?””
Christopher's voice cracked.
“Because the last time I tried, someone told me myWhy didn't you come home?””
Christopher's voice cracked.
“Because the last time I tried, someone told me my mother had signed a document declaring me legally dead.””
Margaret shook her head.
“I never wanted that.””
“I know, Mom.””
“Who mother had signed a document declaring me legally dead.””
Margaret shook her head.
“I never wanted that.””
“I know, Mom.””
“Who told you?””
Christopher didn't answer.
Then he said, “Vanessa.””
Daniel looked toward the woman in silver.
She had stopped smiling.
Detect told you?””
Christopher didn't answer.
Then he said, “Vanessa.””
Daniel looked toward the woman in silver.
She had stopped smiling.
Detective Morgan signaled to her partner.
“Can you establish your location so officers can meet you?””
“I'm near the old Whitmore property. Theive Morgan signaled to her partner.
“Can you establish your location so officers can meet you?””
“I'm near the old Whitmore property. The northern entrance.””
Daniel's face changed.
“The old property?””
“Yes.””
“Dad, that's twenty minutes away.””
“I know.””
“Stay there northern entrance.””
Daniel's face changed.
“The old property?””
“Yes.””
“Dad, that's twenty minutes away.””
“I know.””
“Stay there. We're coming.””
“No!””
The sudden force in Christopher's voice startled everyone.
“Don't come here. We're coming.””
“No!””
The sudden force in Christopher's voice startled everyone.
“Don't come here. Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because there's someone here who knows I'm alive.””
Daniel looked. Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because there's someone here who knows I'm alive.””
Daniel looked at Henry.
“Who?””
Christopher was silent.
Then he said something that made every person in the ballroom look toward the staircase.
“Ask Richard at Henry.
“Who?””
Christopher was silent.
Then he said something that made every person in the ballroom look toward the staircase.
“Ask Richard who paid for the clinic.””
Richard stepped backward.
Detective Morgan turned toward him.
“Mr. Brooks, don't move.””
Richard raised both hands.
“I have no idea what he's talking about.””
Christopher's voice became clearer.
“Richard, who paid for the clinic.””
Richard stepped backward.
Detective Morgan turned toward him.
“Mr. Brooks, don't move.””
Richard raised both hands.
“I have no idea what he's talking about.””
Christopher's voice became clearer.
“Richard, I know you're there.””
Richard's face drained of color.
“Christopher?””
“Hello, Richard.””
Richard shook I know you're there.””
Richard's face drained of color.
“Christopher?””
“Hello, Richard.””
Richard shook his head.
“You're dead.””
A bitter laugh came through the phone.
“That's what you told everyone.””
Richard looked toward Vanessa.
She his head.
“You're dead.””
A bitter laugh came through the phone.
“That's what you told everyone.””
Richard looked toward Vanessa.
She stared at him with undisguised fury.
“You said the clinic had closed,” Richard whispered.
Christopher stared at him with undisguised fury.
“You said the clinic had closed,” Richard whispered.
Christopher answered immediately.
“It did.””
“Then how—”
“Someone kept the records.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
He couldn't understand what he answered immediately.
“It did.””
“Then how—”
“Someone kept the records.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
He couldn't understand what he was hearing.
His father was alive.
His uncle had helped conceal him.
And the woman standing in the ballroom had apparently arranged the entire disappearance.
Detect was hearing.
His father was alive.
His uncle had helped conceal him.
And the woman standing in the ballroom had apparently arranged the entire disappearance.
Detective Morgan interrupted.
“Mr. Brooks, I need you to remain on the line. We are dispatching officers to your location.””
Christopher agreedive Morgan interrupted.
“Mr. Brooks, I need you to remain on the line. We are dispatching officers to your location.””
Christopher agreed.
Then he said, “There's something else.””
“What?”” Daniel asked.
“The original recording.
Then he said, “There's something else.””
“What?”” Daniel asked.
“The original recording isn't the only evidence.””
Margaret leaned toward the phone.
“What else do you have, sweetheart?””
Christopher's voice softened.
“The mechanic. His name is Samuel Price isn't the only evidence.””
Margaret leaned toward the phone.
“What else do you have, sweetheart?””
Christopher's voice softened.
“The mechanic. His name is Samuel Price. He was the one who worked on my car before the accident.””
Henry looked down.
Christopher continued.
“He told me Richard had paid him to. He was the one who worked on my car before the accident.””
Henry looked down.
Christopher continued.
“He told me Richard had paid him to alter the brake system.””
Richard suddenly shouted.
“That's a lie!””
Detective Morgan stepped between him and the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, remain calm.””
Christopher didn't stop.
“Samuel kept alter the brake system.””
Richard suddenly shouted.
“That's a lie!””
Detective Morgan stepped between him and the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, remain calm.””
Christopher didn't stop.
“Samuel kept the original work order. He also recorded a conversation with Richard.””
Daniel looked at his uncle.
“Is that true?””
Richard's face the original work order. He also recorded a conversation with Richard.””
Daniel looked at his uncle.
“Is that true?””
Richard's face twisted.
“You have no idea what happened that night!””
“Then tell us,” Daniel replied.
Richard stared at him.
“I was trying to save the estate.””
“ twisted.
“You have no idea what happened that night!””
“Then tell us,” Daniel replied.
Richard stared at him.
“I was trying to save the estate.””
“By killing my father?””
“I didn't want anyone dead!””
Margaret stood.
“You knew your son was missingBy killing my father?””
“I didn't want anyone dead!””
Margaret stood.
“You knew your son was missing, and you let me bury another man's body.””
Richard looked at her.
“I was afraid.””
“You watched me grieve!””
“I didn't have a choice.””
Margaret's voice rose.
“You always had a choice!””
For the first time, Richard looked genuinely ashamed.
But, and you let me bury another man's body.””
Richard looked at her.
“I was afraid.””
“You watched me grieve!””
“I didn't have a choice.””
Margaret's voice rose.
“You always had a choice!””
For the first time, Richard looked genuinely ashamed.
But Vanessa suddenly moved toward the entrance.
Detective Morgan's partner blocked her.
“Ma'am, stay Vanessa suddenly moved toward the entrance.
Detective Morgan's partner blocked her.
“Ma'am, stay where you are.””
Vanessa stopped.
She glanced at the phone.
Then at the staircase.
Then at Lily.
Her eyes settled where you are.””
Vanessa stopped.
She glanced at the phone.
Then at the staircase.
Then at Lily.
Her eyes settled on the teddy bear.
“Give me that thing.””
Lily immediately hugged it.
“No!””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“It's not yours to keep.””
Daniel moved between them.
“Don't even think on the teddy bear.
“Give me that thing.””
Lily immediately hugged it.
“No!””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“It's not yours to keep.””
Daniel moved between them.
“Don't even think about it.””
Detective Morgan approached Vanessa.
“Ma'am, I need you to place your handbag on the table.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“Why?””
“We about it.””
Detective Morgan approached Vanessa.
“Ma'am, I need you to place your handbag on the table.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“Why?””
“We have reason to believe it may contain evidence.””
Vanessa slowly put it down.
The detective opened it.
Inside were a wallet, a set of keys, a small notebook, and a sealed envelope.
Morgan removed have reason to believe it may contain evidence.””
Vanessa slowly put it down.
The detective opened it.
Inside were a wallet, a set of keys, a small notebook, and a sealed envelope.
Morgan removed the envelope.
It contained several photographs.
One showed Christopher entering a medical facility.
Another showed a man in a wheelchair.
The third showed Christopher standing beside a hospital bed.
On the back of the last photograph was the envelope.
It contained several photographs.
One showed Christopher entering a medical facility.
Another showed a man in a wheelchair.
The third showed Christopher standing beside a hospital bed.
On the back of the last photograph was a handwritten note:
*JAMES CARTER — IDENTITY CONFIRMED.*
Daniel stared.
“That's my father.””
Detective Morgan looked at Vanessa.
“Why do you have these?””
Vanessa didn't answer a handwritten note:
*JAMES CARTER — IDENTITY CONFIRMED.*
Daniel stared.
“That's my father.””
Detective Morgan looked at Vanessa.
“Why do you have these?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Then she reached for the photographs.
Morgan pulled them away.
“Don't.””
Vanessa's face changed.
“You don't understand what you're holding.””
“Then explain.
Then she reached for the photographs.
Morgan pulled them away.
“Don't.””
Vanessa's face changed.
“You don't understand what you're holding.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa looked at Margaret.
For a moment, her expression seemed almost pleading.
“Margaret, tell them what it.””
Vanessa looked at Margaret.
For a moment, her expression seemed almost pleading.
“Margaret, tell them what Christopher was like after the accident.””
Margaret didn't answer.
“He couldn't remember anything,” Vanessa continued.
“He was confused. He didn't recognize people. He wasn't the same Christopher was like after the accident.””
Margaret didn't answer.
“He couldn't remember anything,” Vanessa continued.
“He was confused. He didn't recognize people. He wasn't the same man.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You expect us to believe you were helping him?””
“I was the only person who knew what was happening.””
Christopher's voice suddenly came through the phone.
“That's man.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You expect us to believe you were helping him?””
“I was the only person who knew what was happening.””
Christopher's voice suddenly came through the phone.
“That's not true.””
Vanessa froze.
“I was conscious within two weeks,” Christopher continued.
“I remembered everything.””
The not true.””
Vanessa froze.
“I was conscious within two weeks,” Christopher continued.
“I remembered everything.””
The color disappeared from her face.
“You told me I would never walk again,” he said.
“You told me my color disappeared from her face.
“You told me I would never walk again,” he said.
“You told me my family had abandoned me.””
Margaret began crying.
“Oh, Christopher.””
“I believed you for a while, Mom. family had abandoned me.””
Margaret began crying.
“Oh, Christopher.””
“I believed you for a while, Mom. I'm sorry.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You were unstable.””
“I had a broken leg. I wasn't confused I'm sorry.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You were unstable.””
“I had a broken leg. I wasn't confused.””
“You needed care.””
“I needed my family.””
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Then Christopher said, “I heard you speaking.””
“You needed care.””
“I needed my family.””
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Then Christopher said, “I heard you speaking to Richard. I heard everything.””
Richard lowered his head.
Detective Morgan looked at her partner.
“Call the officers at the northern to Richard. I heard everything.””
Richard lowered his head.
Detective Morgan looked at her partner.
“Call the officers at the northern entrance. Tell them to secure the area and bring medical assistance.””
Daniel looked toward the phone.
“Dad, stay where you are. We're coming.””
Christopher's voice became urgent.
entrance. Tell them to secure the area and bring medical assistance.””
Daniel looked toward the phone.
“Dad, stay where you are. We're coming.””
Christopher's voice became urgent.
“Danny, wait.””
“What?””
“There's a reason I called tonight.””
Daniel swallowed.
“What reason?””
“Because I finally found the last piece of evidence.””
“What evidence“Danny, wait.””
“What?””
“There's a reason I called tonight.””
Daniel swallowed.
“What reason?””
“Because I finally found the last piece of evidence.””
“What evidence?””
Christopher took a breath.
“The original recording from the night of the accident. It proves who ordered the car tampering?””
Christopher took a breath.
“The original recording from the night of the accident. It proves who ordered the car tampering.””
Daniel stared at the phone.
“Who?””
A faint sound interrupted the call.
A door.””
Daniel stared at the phone.
“Who?””
A faint sound interrupted the call.
A door opening.
Then a second voice.
A man's voice.
Christopher whispered something.
“Not you.””
The line crackled.
Then Christopher opening.
Then a second voice.
A man's voice.
Christopher whispered something.
“Not you.””
The line crackled.
Then Christopher shouted shouted:
“Daniel, don't let him leave the house!””
The call disconnected.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
The front doors were standing open.
And the man who had arrived only minutes earlier to deliver a package was gone.
On the floor beside the doorway lay a small black envelope.
Detective Morgan picked it up.
Inside was a single photograph.
Christopher in his hospital bed.
And beside him, holding a syringe, was Henry.
Margaret slowly turned:
“Daniel, don't let him leave the house!””
The call disconnected.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
The front doors were standing open.
And the man who had arrived only minutes earlier to deliver a package was gone.
On the floor beside the doorway lay a small black envelope.
Detective Morgan picked it up.
Inside was a single photograph.
Christopher in his hospital bed.
And beside him, holding a syringe, was Henry.
Margaret slowly turned toward the old house manager.
“Henry?””
Henry began crying.
“I can explain.””
Daniel stared at him.
“Were you toward the old house manager.
“Henry?””
Henry began crying.
“I can explain.””
Daniel stared at him.
“Were you trying to kill my father?””
Henry shook his head.
“No.””
Then he whispered:
“I was trying to keep him trying to kill my father?””
Henry shook his head.
“No.””
Then he whispered:
“I was trying to keep him alive.””
And the detective noticed something else in the photograph.
The date.
It was taken yesterday.
Christopher had been inside the old Whit alive.””
And the detective noticed something else in the photograph.
The date.
It was taken yesterday.
May you like
Christopher had been inside the old Whitmore property less than twenty-four hours ago.
more property less than twenty-four hours ago.
