Chapter 8: The Watch That## Chapter 8: The Watch That Held the Truth
I Held the Truth
I didn't sleep that night.
At 12 didn't sleep that night.
At 12:15 a.m., Michelle and I drove to:15 a.m., Michelle and I drove to the storage facility where my father had kept his belongings. Eleanor stayed with Lily, promising the storage facility where my father had kept his belongings. Eleanor stayed with Lily, promising to call if she woke up.
The facility was nearly empty.
Rows of metal doors stretched beneath fluorescent lights. Somewhere in the distance, a to call if she woke up.
The facility was nearly empty.
Rows of metal doors stretched beneath fluorescent lights. Somewhere in the distance, a security guard's radio crackled.
I found the locker number written on the brass security guard's radio crackled.
I found the locker number written on the brass key.
214.
My hands trembled as I inserted it.
The lock clicked.
Inside were several cardboard boxes, an old leather suitcase, and a wooden key.
214.
My hands trembled as I inserted it.
The lock clicked.
Inside were several cardboard boxes, an old leather suitcase, and a wooden chair with a broken armrest.
I stepped inside.
“Your father must have kept everything,” chair with a broken armrest.
I stepped inside.
“Your father must have kept everything,” Michelle whispered.
I nodded.
“He never liked throwing things away.””
We began opening boxes.
Old Michelle whispered.
I nodded.
“He never liked throwing things away.””
We began opening boxes.
Old photographs.
Tax returns.
Christmas decorations.
My father's work certificates.
Then, beneath a stack of newspapers, I found a small velvet case.
I photographs.
Tax returns.
Christmas decorations.
My father's work certificates.
Then, beneath a stack of newspapers, I found a small velvet case.
I opened it.
The gold pocket watch was inside.
Its surface was scratched, and the chain was tangled around the opened it.
The gold pocket watch was inside.
Its surface was scratched, and the chain was tangled around the hinges.
I recognized the initials engraved on the back.
J.M.
James Mitchell.
My hinges.
I recognized the initials engraved on the back.
J.M.
James Mitchell.
My father.
I turned it over.
There was a tiny latch near the winding mechanism.
I pressed it.
The back cover opened.
Something father.
I turned it over.
There was a tiny latch near the winding mechanism.
I pressed it.
The back cover opened.
Something small slid into my palm.
A folded piece of paper.
I carefully unfolded it.
There was a handwritten message.
*Anthony small slid into my palm.
A folded piece of paper.
I carefully unfolded it.
There was a handwritten message.
Anthony, Denise has been lying to you about your father's estate.
I stopped breathing.
Michelle leaned over my, Denise has been lying to you about your father's estate.*
I stopped breathing.
Michelle leaned over my shoulder.
The note continued.
*I discovered that she and Robert Hayes were working together before I died. They used my name to authorize payments I shoulder.
The note continued.
I discovered that she and Robert Hayes were working together before I died. They used my name to authorize payments I never approved.
I looked at Michelle.
“Robert and Denise knew each other before Rachel never approved.*
I looked at Michelle.
“Robert and Denise knew each other before Rachel died.””
She nodded slowly.
“Keep reading.””
The next line made my blood run cold.
*The original will names Anthony as the sole owner died.””
She nodded slowly.
“Keep reading.””
The next line made my blood run cold.
The original will names Anthony as the sole owner of the family property. Denise has no inheritance rights beyond the provision I made for her living of the family property. Denise has no inheritance rights beyond the provision I made for her living expenses.
I stared at the paper.
That explained the property transfer.
But there was more.
I also established a separate protective trust for Rachel's future expenses.
I stared at the paper.
That explained the property transfer.
But there was more.
I also established a separate protective trust for Rachel's future children. Robert attempted to gain access to it years ago. I refused.
I swallowed.
My father had known.
He had known Robert children. Robert attempted to gain access to it years ago. I refused.*
I swallowed.
My father had known.
He had known Robert was dangerous.
And he had known Denise was helping him.
At the bottom of the note was an address.
A law office in downtown Chicago.
And a name was dangerous.
And he had known Denise was helping him.
At the bottom of the note was an address.
A law office in downtown Chicago.
And a name.
*Harold Whitmore.*
“Who's Harold Whitmore?”” Michelle asked.
“My.
*Harold Whitmore.*
“Who's Harold Whitmore?”” Michelle asked.
“My father's attorney.””
I remembered him vaguely. A tall man with thick glasses who had attended my father's funeral.
“He handled the estate.””
I father's attorney.””
I remembered him vaguely. A tall man with thick glasses who had attended my father's funeral.
“He handled the estate.””
I called the number written on the note.
A woman answered.
“Whitmore and Associates. How may I direct your called the number written on the note.
A woman answered.
“Whitmore and Associates. How may I direct your call?””
“My name is Anthony Mitchell. I need to speak with Harold Whitmore.””
“I'm afraid Mr. Whitmore is no longer practicing.””
“Can I speak to call?””
“My name is Anthony Mitchell. I need to speak with Harold Whitmore.””
“I'm afraid Mr. Whitmore is no longer practicing.””
“Can I speak to someone who handles his archived files?””
There was a pause.
“May I ask what this concerns?””
“My father's original will. James Mitchell.””
The woman became someone who handles his archived files?””
There was a pause.
“May I ask what this concerns?””
“My father's original will. James Mitchell.””
The woman became quiet.
Then she said:
“Please hold.””
Several minutes passed.
Finally, an older man's voice came through.
“Anthony?””
I recognized it.
“Mr. Whit quiet.
Then she said:
“Please hold.””
Several minutes passed.
Finally, an older man's voice came through.
“Anthony?””
I recognized it.
“Mr. Whitmore?””
“Yes. Good heavens. I've been wondering when you would call.””
My stomach tightened.
“You know what's happening?””
“I know Denisemore?””
“Yes. Good heavens. I've been wondering when you would call.””
My stomach tightened.
“You know what's happening?””
“I know Denise has been making inquiries about your father's estate.””
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because your father instructed me not to disclose certain information unless you contacted me has been making inquiries about your father's estate.””
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because your father instructed me not to disclose certain information unless you contacted me directly.””
I gripped the phone.
“Did my father know Denise was working with Robert Hayes?””
The directly.””
I gripped the phone.
“Did my father know Denise was working with Robert Hayes?””
The old attorney sighed.
“Unfortunately, yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Do you have the original will?””
“I do.””
“Can you bring it to old attorney sighed.
“Unfortunately, yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Do you have the original will?””
“I do.””
“Can you bring it to court tomorrow?””
There was a pause.
“Anthony, I need you to listen carefully. Your father's will contains a provision that court tomorrow?””
There was a pause.
“Anthony, I need you to listen carefully. Your father's will contains a provision that could change everything.””
“What provision?””
“He left Denise a substantial financial allowance, but only could change everything.””
“What provision?””
“He left Denise a substantial financial allowance, but only under one condition.””
“Which is?””
“She was required to remain uninvolved under one condition.””
“Which is?””
“She was required to remain uninvolved in any attempt to control your inheritance or your children's property.””
I looked at Michelle.
The lawyer in any attempt to control your inheritance or your children's property.””
I looked at Michelle.
The lawyer continued.
“Your father specifically named Robert Hayes as someone who must never be granted authority over the continued.
“Your father specifically named Robert Hayes as someone who must never be granted authority over the family trust.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Can you prove that?””
“I have the original signed will, the witness statements, family trust.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Can you prove that?””
“I have the original signed will, the witness statements, and the notarized trust documents.””
“Then please come tomorrow.””
“I'll be there.””
I ended the call.
For the first time that night, I felt something resembling hope.
Then Michelle and the notarized trust documents.””
“Then please come tomorrow.””
“I'll be there.””
I ended the call.
For the first time that night, I felt something resembling hope.
Then Michelle noticed another object inside the velvet case.
A tiny memory card.
She picked it up.
“What's this?””
I noticed another object inside the velvet case.
A tiny memory card.
She picked it up.
“What's this?””
I examined it.
There was a small label.
For Anthony — only if necessary.
I found an adapter in one of the storage boxes examined it.
There was a small label.
For Anthony — only if necessary.
I found an adapter in one of the storage boxes and inserted the card into my laptop.
A video file appeared.
The recording was dated two weeks before my father died.
I clicked play and inserted the card into my laptop.
A video file appeared.
The recording was dated two weeks before my father died.
I clicked play.
My father's face appeared on the screen.
He was sitting in his favorite armchair.
He looked thinner than I remembered.
.
My father's face appeared on the screen.
He was sitting in his favorite armchair.
He looked thinner than I remembered.
But his voice was clear.
“Anthony, if you're watching this, something has happened that I feared for a long time.””
He paused.
Then he looked directly into the camera.
“DenBut his voice was clear.
“Anthony, if you're watching this, something has happened that I feared for a long time.””
He paused.
Then he looked directly into the camera.
“Denise has been speaking to Robert Hayes. She believes he's helping her secure a better future.ise has been speaking to Robert Hayes. She believes he's helping her secure a better future. But Robert doesn't help anyone unless he intends to own something afterward.””
My eyes burned But Robert doesn't help anyone unless he intends to own something afterward.””
My eyes burned.
My father continued.
“I tried to warn her. I showed her the financial records. I told her Robert.
My father continued.
“I tried to warn her. I showed her the financial records. I told her Robert had already attempted to access Rachel's inheritance.””
He leaned forward.
“She refused to listen.””
had already attempted to access Rachel's inheritance.””
He leaned forward.
“She refused to listen.””
Then he said something I would never forget.
“Son, if Denise comes to you claiming she protectedThen he said something I would never forget.
“Son, if Denise comes to you claiming she protected this family, remember that protection and control are not the same thing.””
Michelle covered her mouth.
The recording this family, remember that protection and control are not the same thing.””
Michelle covered her mouth.
The recording continued.
“There's one more thing. Robert has a son.””
I frowned.
“What?””
My father looked down continued.
“There's one more thing. Robert has a son.””
I frowned.
“What?””
My father looked down at a piece of paper.
“His name is Marcus Hayes.””
I stopped the video.
I at a piece of paper.
“His name is Marcus Hayes.””
I stopped the video.
I stared at the screen.
Then I replayed the last sentence.
Robert has a son.
His name is Marcus Hayes.
I stared at the screen.
Then I replayed the last sentence.
Robert has a son.
His name is Marcus Hayes.
I looked at Michelle.
“Marcus isn't Denise's biological son.””
She shook her head slowly.
“Are you sure?””
I looked looked at Michelle.
“Marcus isn't Denise's biological son.””
She shook her head slowly.
“Are you sure?””
I looked at the footage again.
My father continued speaking.
“Denise raised the boy as her own after Robert arranged the at the footage again.
My father continued speaking.
“Denise raised the boy as her own after Robert arranged the adoption. I don't know what agreement they made, but I know Marcus has been involved in their plans from the beginning.””
My stomach twisted.
Marcus had adoption. I don't know what agreement they made, but I know Marcus has been involved in their plans from the beginning.””
My stomach twisted.
Marcus had been living in my house.
Eating my food.
Sleeping under my roof.
And helping Robert take my daughter been living in my house.
Eating my food.
Sleeping under my roof.
And helping Robert take my daughter.
Suddenly, I understood why Denise had always defended him.
He wasn't simply her son.
Suddenly, I understood why Denise had always defended him.
He wasn't simply her son.
He was Robert's son.
I closed the laptop.
“We need to get home.””
Michelle nodded.
We locked the storage unit.
He was Robert's son.
I closed the laptop.
“We need to get home.””
Michelle nodded.
We locked the storage unit and drove back.
At 3:20 a.m., my phone rang.
It was Eleanor.
“Anthony, I'm sorry to and drove back.
At 3:20 a.m., my phone rang.
It was Eleanor.
“Anthony, I'm sorry to wake you.””
“What's wrong?””
“Lily is awake. She keeps asking for you.””
“Is she okay?””
“She had a wake you.””
“What's wrong?””
“Lily is awake. She keeps asking for you.””
“Is she okay?””
“She had a nightmare.””
I closed my eyes.
“I'm coming.””
When we arrived, Lily was sitting on the couch.
Her blanket was wrapped tightly nightmare.””
I closed my eyes.
“I'm coming.””
When we arrived, Lily was sitting on the couch.
Her blanket was wrapped tightly around her.
She looked at me.
“Daddy?””
I knelt.
“I'm here.””
She threw her around her.
She looked at me.
“Daddy?””
I knelt.
“I'm here.””
She threw her arms around my neck.
“I dreamed you couldn't find me.””
I held her close.
“I'll always find you.””
She pulled back.
arms around my neck.
“I dreamed you couldn't find me.””
I held her close.
“I'll always find you.””
She pulled back.
“Promise?””
I kissed her forehead.
“Promise.””
Then she reached into her pocket.
“I found this under my pillow“Promise?””
I kissed her forehead.
“Promise.””
Then she reached into her pocket.
“I found this under my pillow.””
She handed me a small folded piece of paper.
I opened it.
It was a note written in Denise's handwriting.
*Tell.””
She handed me a small folded piece of paper.
I opened it.
It was a note written in Denise's handwriting.
Tell your father you don't want to live with him. Everything will be easier.
I felt the room disappear around your father you don't want to live with him. Everything will be easier.*
I felt the room disappear around me.
Lily looked down.
“She said I had to practice saying it.””
I closed my eyes.
Then I carefully me.
Lily looked down.
“She said I had to practice saying it.””
I closed my eyes.
Then I carefully folded the note.
“Did you tell her you would?””
Lily shook her head.
“I told her I wanted folded the note.
“Did you tell her you would?””
Lily shook her head.
“I told her I wanted my daddy.””
I hugged her.
“You did the right thing.””
Then I stood and looked at Michelle.
“Tomorrow, we're bringing everything my daddy.””
I hugged her.
“You did the right thing.””
Then I stood and looked at Michelle.
“Tomorrow, we're bringing everything to court.””
But before I could say anything else, a car pulled into the driveway.
Headlights swept across the living room.
A black sedan.
to court.””
But before I could say anything else, a car pulled into the driveway.
Headlights swept across the living room.
A black sedan.
The same car from the photograph.
Robert Hayes had arrived.
And he wasn't alone.
Two men in dark suits stepped out behind him.
One of them carried a thick folderThe same car from the photograph.
Robert Hayes had arrived.
And he wasn't alone.
Two men in dark suits stepped out behind him.
One of them carried a thick folder.
The other held a small document case.
My phone rang.
Daniel.
“Anthony, don't open that door.””
I looked.
The other held a small document case.
My phone rang.
Daniel.
“Anthony, don't open that door.””
I looked through the window.
Robert was already walking toward it.
Daniel's voice dropped.
“There's been a development. Robert's through the window.
Robert was already walking toward it.
Daniel's voice dropped.
“There's been a development. Robert's attorney has obtained an emergency order.””
I stared at the front door.
“What kind of order?””
Daniel answered:
attorney has obtained an emergency order.””
I stared at the front door.
“What kind of order?””
Daniel answered:
“Temporary protective custody.””
My heart stopped.
“Of Lily“Temporary protective custody.””
My heart stopped.
“Of Lily?””
“Yes.””
Then Robert knocked.
Three slow, deliberate knocks.
And a man's voice called from the porch?””
“Yes.””
Then Robert knocked.
Three slow, deliberate knocks.
And a man's voice called from the porch.
“Mr. Mitchell, we're here to collect your daughter.””
May you like
.
“Mr. Mitchell, we're here to collect your daughter.””
