Chapter 7: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
For almost a minute, I couldn't take my eyes off the photograph.
My uncle James had supposedly died when I was fifteen.
There had been a funeral. A closed casket. A grieving family. My grandmother had worn black for months afterward, and my father had refused to discuss his brother's death.
I remembered standing beside my grandmother at the cemetery, holding her hand while she cried.
Now I was staring at a photograph taken three months before my wedding.
James was alive.
Rebecca pulled the photograph closer.
"Are you absolutely certain this is your uncle?""
I nodded.
"His name was James Carter. My father's older brother.""
"Do you know why the family believed he was dead?""
"He disappeared after a business dispute. A few weeks later, my father told us he'd died in a car accident overseas.""
Rebecca examined the photograph.
"Was there ever a death certificate?""
"I was fifteen. I didn't ask.""
"That's important.""
I looked at her.
"You're thinking someone faked his death?""
"I'm thinking we need to verify the records before drawing conclusions.""
My phone vibrated.
Daniel.
I ignored it.
Then another message appeared.
*Daniel:* Please don't do anything until tomorrow. Mom says the witness will explain everything.
I read it aloud.
Rebecca shook her head.
"Your husband knows something.""
"He's known something for years.""
"Then tomorrow, we make sure he doesn't get another opportunity to hide it.""
That evening, I returned to the office instead of going home.
I couldn't bear the thought of sleeping in the same bedroom where Daniel had spent months pretending our marriage was fine.
At 9:40 p.m., Evelyn entered with a stack of documents.
"Ms. Carter, I found something.""
She placed a file on my desk.
"These are the historical records for Whitmore Legacy Consulting.""
I opened it.
The company had been registered five years earlier, shortly before Daniel and I became engaged.
Its original director was Margaret.
But there was another name listed in an archived filing.
*James Carter.*
I looked up.
"Why is my uncle's name here?""
Evelyn opened another document.
"He was listed as a financial consultant. The appointment was later removed.""
"When?""
"Two weeks before your wedding.""
I stared at the dates.
"Who removed him?""
"Margaret Whitmore.""
I leaned back.
"Find his address.""
Evelyn shook her head.
"We have an address, but it's an old business property in Connecticut.""
"Call the investigators. I want someone to verify whether he's still there.""
She nodded.
Before she could leave, the office phone rang.
Evelyn answered.
Then she looked at me.
"It's a man asking for you.""
"Who?""
"He says his name is James Carter.""
My heart stopped.
"Put him through.""
A moment later, an unfamiliar voice filled the room.
"Nia?""
I couldn't speak.
"Nia, sweetheart, it's James.""
I gripped the edge of the desk.
"Uncle James?""
He exhaled.
"I know you have questions.""
"You're supposed to be dead.""
There was a long silence.
Then he said, "I know.""
"Why?""
"Because your father asked me to disappear.""
I closed my eyes.
"My father?""
"Yes. And before you decide what that means, you need to hear the entire story.""
I looked at Evelyn.
She quietly closed the office door.
"Where are you?""
"Connecticut. I can come to New York tomorrow.""
"Why not tonight?""
"Because Margaret is watching the people connected to the company. I don't want her knowing we've spoken.""
I lowered my voice.
"Does Margaret know you're alive?""
"Of course she does.""
"Then why did she tell Daniel you were dead?""
James gave a bitter laugh.
"Because the Whitmores have spent years pretending that people disappear when they become inconvenient.""
My stomach tightened.
"Uncle James, what happened before my wedding?""
He took a breath.
"Your grandmother discovered that Richard Whitmore had been using a network of companies to conceal money taken from investors. Your father found out first. He confronted Richard, and the confrontation nearly destroyed both families.""
"Why would my father be involved?""
"Because he had invested in Richard's business years earlier. He trusted him.""
I looked at the photograph.
"And the two million dollars?""
"Your grandmother arranged it to compensate the investors and prevent innocent people from losing their homes. But Margaret wanted something else.""
"What?""
"Your inheritance.""
The words sounded familiar now.
But hearing them from someone who had known my father made them feel more devastating.
"Why would she want my company?""
James answered immediately.
"Because your grandmother's company was worth considerably more than the Whitmore business. Margaret believed that if Daniel married you, she could eventually control both.""
I swallowed.
"Did Daniel know?""
"Yes.""
My eyes filled.
"From the beginning?""
James hesitated.
"That's the part I can't answer yet.""
I stared at the desk.
Then he continued.
"But I can tell you why your grandmother kept me alive on paper.""
I looked up.
"What?""
"She wanted someone outside the family to preserve the original records. If Richard or Margaret tried to alter the settlement documents, I would be able to prove what actually happened.""
"Then why didn't you come forward?""
"Because your father made me promise to protect you.""
I felt anger rising.
"By letting me marry into that family?""
James went quiet.
"I know how that sounds.""
"No. You don't.""
"Nia—"
"My grandmother died. My father died. I spent years believing you were dead. And now you're telling me everyone knew something except me?""
His voice broke slightly.
"Your grandmother wanted to tell you. I asked her to wait until the investigation was safe.""
I looked away.
"She shouldn't have listened.""
"I agree.""
The honesty in his voice surprised me.
Then he said something else.
"There's one more thing you need to know before tomorrow.""
"What?""
"Margaret doesn't actually have a witness to your grandmother's agreement.""
"Daniel said she did.""
"She has a signature.""
"Whose?""
James paused.
"Yours.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"What?""
"Someone forged your signature on the proposed agreement. Margaret intends to claim you signed it before your wedding.""
"But I never signed anything.""
"I know. Your grandmother knew too.""
I gripped the phone.
"Can you prove it?""
"Yes.""
"How?""
"I have the original document, Nia. And I have the recording of the meeting where Margaret admitted what she intended to do.""
I closed my eyes.
For the first time since the dinner, I felt something stronger than humiliation.
I felt a path opening.
"Bring everything tomorrow.""
"I will.""
The call ended.
I sat motionless.
Evelyn approached slowly.
"Are you all right?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
She nodded.
"Would you like me to cancel tomorrow's meetings?""
I looked at the photograph.
"No. Keep the board meeting.""
At 10:17 p.m., Daniel sent another message.
*Daniel:* Mom says we need to settle this privately. She doesn't want James involved.
I stared at the screen.
Then I typed:
*Nia:* Why are you afraid of your mother's witness?
He called immediately.
I answered.
"What?""
"Nia, don't talk to James.""
"Why?""
"Because he's dangerous.""
"He's my uncle.""
"You don't know what he did.""
"Then tell me.""
Daniel breathed heavily.
"James destroyed my father's business.""
"Did he?""
"Yes.""
"Then why is his name on your mother's company registration?""
Silence.
I continued.
"Why was he removed two weeks before our wedding?""
"Nia, listen to me.""
"No. You listen. Tomorrow, the board will hear everything.""
He lowered his voice.
"If you let James speak, you'll lose more than the company.""
I stared at the phone.
"What else could I possibly lose?""
Daniel whispered:
"The truth about your father's death.""
The call disconnected.
I remained seated for a long time.
Then I opened the photograph again.
My uncle was smiling beside my grandmother.
May you like
And suddenly, I wondered whether my father had really died in the accident I had been told about.
Or whether the Whitmores had buried another secret beneath the story of a funeral.
