Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
My Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
My father stared at the photograph for nearly a minute.
“That's father stared at the photograph for nearly a minute.
“That's impossible,” he finally said.
Evelyn placed the picture impossible,” he finally said.
Evelyn placed the picture beneath the desk lamp.
The man standing behind my mother had short black hair, a narrow face, and a small scar running beneath the desk lamp.
The man standing behind my mother had short black hair, a narrow face, and a small scar running from his left eyebrow toward his temple.
I had seen him before.
Not in person.
In Brielle's bedroom from his left eyebrow toward his temple.
I had seen him before.
Not in person.
In Brielle's bedroom.
There was a framed photograph of him on her bookshelf, beside a picture of Vanella. Bri.
There was a framed photograph of him on her bookshelf, beside a picture of Vanella. Brielle had once told me her biological father died when she was little.
His name was Daniel Brooks.
“That's Brielle had once told me her biological father died when she was little.
His name was Daniel Brooks.
“That's Brielle's father,” I repeated.
My father looked at me.
“Are you certain?””
I nodded.
“She has his picture upstairs.””
Evelynelle's father,” I repeated.
My father looked at me.
“Are you certain?””
I nodded.
“She has his picture upstairs.””
Evelyn examined the photograph again.
“Do you know when this was taken?””
I turned it over.
Mom's handwriting was on examined the photograph again.
“Do you know when this was taken?””
I turned it over.
Mom's handwriting was on the back.
September 14. Daniel, Raymond, and me. The final meeting.
My father read the words the back.
September 14. Daniel, Raymond, and me. The final meeting.
My father read the words twice.
“Daniel was dead.””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Who told you that?””
“Van twice.
“Daniel was dead.””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Who told you that?””
“Vanella.””
My father began pacing.
“When we started dating, she told me Brielle's father had died in a car accident. She saidella.””
My father began pacing.
“When we started dating, she told me Brielle's father had died in a car accident. She said she'd been raising her daughter alone.””
“Did she provide any documentation?””
“I never asked. Why she'd been raising her daughter alone.””
“Did she provide any documentation?””
“I never asked. Why would I?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
My father stopped pacing.
“Are you suggesting he was alive this whole time?””
“ would I?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
My father stopped pacing.
“Are you suggesting he was alive this whole time?””
“I'm suggesting we shouldn't accept the story without verifying it.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Why was Mom meeting him?””
EI'm suggesting we shouldn't accept the story without verifying it.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Why was Mom meeting him?””
Evelyn returned the picture to the table.
“That's what we need to establish.””
My father sat down.
“Vanella told me Daniel had abandoned themvelyn returned the picture to the table.
“That's what we need to establish.””
My father sat down.
“Vanella told me Daniel had abandoned them. She said he was dangerous and that Brielle didn't even remember him.””
I remembered Bri. She said he was dangerous and that Brielle didn't even remember him.””
I remembered Brielle talking about her father once.
We had been doing a family tree assignment at school.
I'd asked her why she onlyelle talking about her father once.
We had been doing a family tree assignment at school.
I'd asked her why she only included Vanella.
She'd shrugged.
“Dead people don't count.””
At the time, I'd thought it was a cruel joke.
Now I wasn't included Vanella.
She'd shrugged.
“Dead people don't count.””
At the time, I'd thought it was a cruel joke.
Now I wasn't sure.
Evelyn opened the notebook again.
She found the September entry.
There was a phone number beside Daniel's name.
She copied it onto sure.
Evelyn opened the notebook again.
She found the September entry.
There was a phone number beside Daniel's name.
She copied it onto a separate sheet.
“I'm going to have this verified through the appropriate channels.””
My father looked at the photograph.
“Denise knew.””
“Poss a separate sheet.
“I'm going to have this verified through the appropriate channels.””
My father looked at the photograph.
“Denise knew.””
“Possibly,” Evelyn said.
“The note suggests she had discovered something significant.””
I picked up the USB drive.
“Can we see what's onibly,” Evelyn said.
“The note suggests she had discovered something significant.””
I picked up the USB drive.
“Can we see what's on this?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Not on a personal computer. We'll preserve it and have it examined properly.””
“But what this?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Not on a personal computer. We'll preserve it and have it examined properly.””
“But what if it tells us why Mom met him?””
“We'll find out.””
I looked at my father.
He was staring at the photograph as though it had become if it tells us why Mom met him?””
“We'll find out.””
I looked at my father.
He was staring at the photograph as though it had become something dangerous.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“Are you going to tell Brielle?””
He sighed.
“I don't know what something dangerous.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“Are you going to tell Brielle?””
He sighed.
“I don't know what to tell her yet.””
At 5:30 that afternoon, Evelyn left with copies of the documents.
to tell her yet.””
At 5:30 that afternoon, Evelyn left with copies of the documents.
My father insisted that we stay together.
He checked every door and window before making dinner.
Neither of us ate much.
AroundMy father insisted that we stay together.
He checked every door and window before making dinner.
Neither of us ate much.
Around seven, the doorbell rang.
My father checked the camera.
Vanella stood outside.
This time, she wasn't alone.
A tall man stood seven, the doorbell rang.
My father checked the camera.
Vanella stood outside.
This time, she wasn't alone.
A tall man stood beside her.
He wore a dark jacket and held a leather briefcase.
My father stiffened.
“That's him.””
“Who?”” beside her.
He wore a dark jacket and held a leather briefcase.
My father stiffened.
“That's him.””
“Who?”” I asked.
“Raymond.””
The man who had called.
My father opened the front door but kept the security I asked.
“Raymond.””
The man who had called.
My father opened the front door but kept the security chain fastened.
“What do you want?””
Raymond gave a polite smile.
“Marcus. It's been a long time.””
“Not chain fastened.
“What do you want?””
Raymond gave a polite smile.
“Marcus. It's been a long time.””
“Not long enough.””
Vanella stepped forward.
“Can we please talk like adults?””
My father looked at her.
“You can talk long enough.””
Vanella stepped forward.
“Can we please talk like adults?””
My father looked at her.
“You can talk from there.””
Raymond glanced toward the hallway.
“Is the little girl inside?””
My father's expression changed.
“Don't from there.””
Raymond glanced toward the hallway.
“Is the little girl inside?””
My father's expression changed.
“Don't mention my daughter.””
Raymond raised both hands.
“I'm not here to cause trouble.””
“Then leave.””
Raymond's smile disappeared.
“Your wife mention my daughter.””
Raymond raised both hands.
“I'm not here to cause trouble.””
“Then leave.””
Raymond's smile disappeared.
“Your wife made a complicated situation much worse than it needed to be.””
My father stepped closer to the door.
“Don't you dare speak about Denise.””
“I'm talking made a complicated situation much worse than it needed to be.””
My father stepped closer to the door.
“Don't you dare speak about Denise.””
“I'm talking about the trust.””
“What about it?””
Raymond leaned toward the gap.
“Your wife was supposed to sign about the trust.””
“What about it?””
Raymond leaned toward the gap.
“Your wife was supposed to sign a few documents. She refused. Then she died before everything could be settled.””
My father stared at him.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Believe a few documents. She refused. Then she died before everything could be settled.””
My father stared at him.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Believe whatever you want.””
Vanella interrupted.
“Marcus, please. I can explain.””
He looked at her.
“Then explain.””
She whatever you want.””
Vanella interrupted.
“Marcus, please. I can explain.””
He looked at her.
“Then explain.””
She swallowed.
“Daniel was supposed to help us.””
My father went completely still.
“Daniel?””
Vanella looked at Raymond.
He gave swallowed.
“Daniel was supposed to help us.””
My father went completely still.
“Daniel?””
Vanella looked at Raymond.
He gave her a warning glance.
But she continued.
“He was alive when I met you. I didn't know how to explain everything.””
My father shook his head.
“You told her a warning glance.
But she continued.
“He was alive when I met you. I didn't know how to explain everything.””
My father shook his head.
“You told me he died.””
“I was protecting Brielle.””
“From what?””
Vanella's eyes filled.
“From the things he did.””
Raymond stepped in.
“This isn't the place for family me he died.””
“I was protecting Brielle.””
“From what?””
Vanella's eyes filled.
“From the things he did.””
Raymond stepped in.
“This isn't the place for family history.””
My father looked at him.
“You don't get to decide what happens in my house.””
Raymond placed his briefcase on the porch.
“I'm trying history.””
My father looked at him.
“You don't get to decide what happens in my house.””
Raymond placed his briefcase on the porch.
“I'm trying to give you an opportunity to resolve this quietly.””
My father laughed bitterly.
“You threatened my child.””
“I didn't.””
“You sent photographs of my house.””
Raymond's expression hardened.
“ to give you an opportunity to resolve this quietly.””
My father laughed bitterly.
“You threatened my child.””
“I didn't.””
“You sent photographs of my house.””
Raymond's expression hardened.
“Then perhaps you should ask who has been watching your daughter.””
My stomach tightened.
My father moved to close the door.
Raymond placedThen perhaps you should ask who has been watching your daughter.””
My stomach tightened.
My father moved to close the door.
Raymond placed one hand against it.
“Think carefully, Marcus. You've got a daughter to protect.””
My father pushed the door shut.
The security chain ratt one hand against it.
“Think carefully, Marcus. You've got a daughter to protect.””
My father pushed the door shut.
The security chain rattled.
For several seconds, he stood with his forehead against the wood.
Then he turned around.
“Stay upstairs.””
I looked at him.
“Dad—”
“Pleaseled.
For several seconds, he stood with his forehead against the wood.
Then he turned around.
“Stay upstairs.””
I looked at him.
“Dad—”
“Please.””
I climbed the stairs.
But I didn't go into my room.
I stood near the landing and listened.
I heard my father lock the door.
Then.””
I climbed the stairs.
But I didn't go into my room.
I stood near the landing and listened.
I heard my father lock the door.
Then I heard his phone ring.
He answered.
“Evelyn?””
A pause.
“What do you mean?””
Another pause.
Then his voice I heard his phone ring.
He answered.
“Evelyn?””
A pause.
“What do you mean?””
Another pause.
Then his voice rose.
“Daniel is alive?””
I gripped the railing.
My father continued listening.
“Where rose.
“Daniel is alive?””
I gripped the railing.
My father continued listening.
“Where?””
A long silence.
Then:
“No. Don't tell them anything yet.””
He ended the call.
I hurried?””
A long silence.
Then:
“No. Don't tell them anything yet.””
He ended the call.
I hurried downstairs.
“Dad, what happened?””
He downstairs.
“Dad, what happened?””
He looked at me.
His face was pale.
“Evelyn found something.””
“What?””
“She traced the number in your mother's notebook.””
“To Daniel?””
He nodded.
“He's alive. And he isn't in another state like Van looked at me.
His face was pale.
“Evelyn found something.””
“What?””
“She traced the number in your mother's notebook.””
“To Daniel?””
He nodded.
“He's alive. And he isn't in another state like Vanella claimed.””
“Where is he?””
My father hesitated.
Then he said:
“He's been living less than twenty minutes from here.””
The following morning, Evelyn arrivedella claimed.””
“Where is he?””
My father hesitated.
Then he said:
“He's been living less than twenty minutes from here.””
The following morning, Evelyn arrived with an update.
She had confirmed that Daniel Brooks was alive.
He had not died in a car accident.
He had been with an update.
She had confirmed that Daniel Brooks was alive.
He had not died in a car accident.
He had been living under his own name and had recently been involved in a civil dispute concerning financial documents connected to Raymond living under his own name and had recently been involved in a civil dispute concerning financial documents connected to Raymond Cole.
Evelyn had also discovered that Daniel had attempted to contact Denise shortly before her death.
My father looked troubled.
“Why didn't he contact Cole.
Evelyn had also discovered that Daniel had attempted to contact Denise shortly before her death.
My father looked troubled.
“Why didn't he contact me?””
“According to the correspondence, he believed you were unaware of the financial arrangement.””
My father frowned.
“That's not me?””
“According to the correspondence, he believed you were unaware of the financial arrangement.””
My father frowned.
“That's not an answer.””
Evelyn agreed.
“I've arranged a meeting. He says he'll explain an answer.””
Evelyn agreed.
“I've arranged a meeting. He says he'll explain everything in person.””
I looked at her.
“Will Brielle come?””
Evelyn paused.
“That's up everything in person.””
I looked at her.
“Will Brielle come?””
Evelyn paused.
“That's up to her mother and the appropriate arrangements. But we shouldn't involve another child in to her mother and the appropriate arrangements. But we shouldn't involve another child in an adult dispute without careful thought.””
My father nodded.
Then Evelyn placed a printed email on the table.
It an adult dispute without careful thought.””
My father nodded.
Then Evelyn placed a printed email on the table.
It had been sent from Daniel's account to my mother's attorney.
The subject line read:
**I NEED had been sent from Daniel's account to my mother's attorney.
The subject line read:
*I NEED TO TELL DENISE THE TRUTH ABOUT VANELLA.*
The message was short TO TELL DENISE THE TRUTH ABOUT VANELLA.**
The message was short.
*Denise, I know what Raymond is planning. Vanella has been telling.
Denise, I know what Raymond is planning. Vanella has been telling him things about your trust, but she doesn't know that I have copies of the original records.
I made a terrible mistake years ago. I believed I could fix it quietly.
Please let me explain before he destroys what you built for your daughter.
The him things about your trust, but she doesn't know that I have copies of the original records.*
I made a terrible mistake years ago. I believed I could fix it quietly.
Please let me explain before he destroys what you built for your daughter.
The email was dated September 12.
Two days before the photograph.
My father read it slowly.
Then he looked at Evelyn.
“What mistake?””
She email was dated September 12.
Two days before the photograph.
My father read it slowly.
Then he looked at Evelyn.
“What mistake?””
She turned the page.
There was a second email.
This one was addressed to Raymond.
*I won't help you anymore. You promised me this turned the page.
There was a second email.
This one was addressed to Raymond.
I won't help you anymore. You promised me this would only involve the business account. You never said anything about Denise or her daughter.
My father would only involve the business account. You never said anything about Denise or her daughter.*
My father pushed back his chair.
“Daniel was working with Raymond.””
“Yes,” Evelyn replied.
“And Vanella?””
“We don't yet know exactly how much she knew at the beginning.””
I looked at the photograph.
Three adults.
pushed back his chair.
“Daniel was working with Raymond.””
“Yes,” Evelyn replied.
“And Vanella?””
“We don't yet know exactly how much she knew at the beginning.””
I looked at the photograph.
Three adults.
One secret.
And my mother standing between two men who appeared to know far more than she did.
Then Evelyn'sOne secret.
And my mother standing between two men who appeared to know far more than she did.
Then Evelyn's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed almost immediately.
“Where?””
She listened.
Then she stood.
“Don't approach him. I'll be there shortly.””
She ended the call.
phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed almost immediately.
“Where?””
She listened.
Then she stood.
“Don't approach him. I'll be there shortly.””
She ended the call.
My father looked at her.
“What happened?””
Evelyn held up her phone.
“Daniel has agreed to meet us.””
“Where?””
She looked toward the front window.
“Across the street.””
My father walkedMy father looked at her.
“What happened?””
Evelyn held up her phone.
“Daniel has agreed to meet us.””
“Where?””
She looked toward the front window.
“Across the street.””
My father walked to the curtains.
A black sedan was parked beside the mailbox.
A man stood next to it.
He to the curtains.
A black sedan was parked beside the mailbox.
A man stood next to it.
He looked older than the photograph.
But the scar above his eyebrow was unmistakable.
Daniel Brooks.
He raised one hand.
Then looked older than the photograph.
But the scar above his eyebrow was unmistakable.
Daniel Brooks.
He raised one hand.
Then he pointed directly toward our house.
And behind him, another vehicle pulled into the street.
Vanella's car.
She he pointed directly toward our house.
And behind him, another vehicle pulled into the street.
Vanella's car.
She wasn't supposed to be anywhere near us.
Yet she was getting out.
And when Daniel saw her, he immediately turned away from the wasn't supposed to be anywhere near us.
Yet she was getting out.
And when Daniel saw her, he immediately turned away from the house and began walking toward her.
My father grabbed his jacket.
“Stay here house and began walking toward her.
My father grabbed his jacket.
“Stay here.””
I watched through the window as the two adults met beneath the bare branches of our maple tree.
Vanella spoke first.
I couldn't hear the words.
But I saw Daniel shake.””
I watched through the window as the two adults met beneath the bare branches of our maple tree.
Vanella spoke first.
I couldn't hear the words.
But I saw Daniel shake his head.
Then he held up a small envelope his head.
Then he held up a small envelope.
Vanella's face changed.
She reached for it.
He pulled it away.
And for the first time, I saw something I had never seen on Vanella's face.
Fear.
.
Vanella's face changed.
She reached for it.
He pulled it away.
May you like
And for the first time, I saw something I had never seen on Vanella's face.
Fear.
