Chapter 4: The Letter My Father Left Behind
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
My father's handwriting was unmistakable. The letters leaned slightly to the right, and he always crossed his capital A with a small extra stroke.
I had seen that handwriting on birthday cards, school permission slips, and the notes he used to leave beside my lunch when I was a boy.
Now I was holding a letter addressed to me.
And my daughter's name was written inside it.
Denise stepped toward the desk.
"Anthony, give me that.""
I held the paper against my chest.
"No.""
"That letter is private.""
"It has my name on it.""
"Your father wasn't thinking clearly when he wrote it.""
I looked at her.
"How would you know?""
She hesitated.
Marcus shifted behind her.
I unfolded the letter.
The first paragraph read:
Anthony, if you're reading this, something has happened that I was afraid to discuss while I was alive. I need you to understand that I never wanted Lily to be treated as anything less than family.
I stopped reading.
My throat tightened.
I continued.
There is money set aside for her education. I established an account in her name because I wanted to make sure she would have opportunities, regardless of what happened to the adults around her.
I looked up.
"What account?""
Denise's expression changed.
For the first time since I had arrived, she seemed genuinely frightened.
"Anthony, your father had several accounts. You don't understand how complicated his finances were.""
"Then explain them.""
"There was nothing unusual about his estate.""
I looked back at the letter.
The account is held separately from the property and was intended exclusively for Lily. Denise knows about it. I asked her to help me keep the paperwork safe, but I am beginning to question whether that was wise.
My fingers tightened around the page.
I read the next line.
If she tells you the money belongs to her or Marcus, do not believe her.
The room became painfully quiet.
Marcus looked at Denise.
"Mom?""
She didn't answer.
I raised my eyes.
"How much money did Dad leave for Lily?""
Denise shook her head.
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"How much?""
"I don't know.""
"Then why are you acting like you know what I'm talking about?""
She stepped closer.
"Your father was generous with promises. He said all kinds of things when he was sick.""
I stared at her.
"He wrote this himself.""
"People make mistakes.""
I placed the letter on the desk.
"Did you take money that belonged to my daughter?""
Denise's voice became sharp.
"Watch how you speak to me.""
Marcus finally spoke.
"Anthony, there's no reason to make accusations.""
I turned toward him.
"Then tell me what happened to the account.""
He looked at his mother.
That was all the answer I needed.
I picked up the letter again.
The final paragraph was partly hidden by a fold.
I carefully opened it.
*I also left a sealed copy of the account instructions with the attorney who prepared the documents. His name is Samuel Reed. Anthony, contact him before confronting anyone about the money.
There are people who will tell you the documents are missing. They are not.*
Below that was an address and a telephone number.
I photographed the page.
Then I placed the original inside my jacket.
Denise reached for my arm.
"Anthony, listen to me. You're misunderstanding something.""
I stepped away.
"Then help me understand.""
She looked toward Marcus.
He rubbed his forehead.
Finally, Denise spoke.
"Your father wanted to give Lily a financial advantage. I thought that was unfair.""
I stared at her.
"Unfair?""
"Marcus had needs, too. Your father always favored you. He gave you everything.""
I almost laughed.
"Everything?""
"My son struggled. Your father could have helped him.""
I looked at Marcus.
"You're thirty-two years old.""
"That doesn't mean I didn't deserve help," he snapped.
I turned back to Denise.
"So you decided my seven-year-old daughter didn't deserve a seat at your Thanksgiving table?""
Denise's face hardened.
"Don't connect two completely different things.""
"They're not different to me.""
She threw her hands up.
"Your father was obsessed with that child. Every conversation became about Lily. Her school, her future, her needs. I was his wife!""
"And she was his granddaughter.""
For a moment, Denise had nothing to say.
Then she pointed toward the door.
"If you're going to stand there accusing me, you can leave.""
I nodded.
"Gladly.""
I walked out of the study.
Marcus followed me into the hallway.
"Anthony, wait.""
I turned.
He looked uncomfortable.
"Whatever Mom did, she didn't mean for things to get this far.""
I stared at him.
"What did you do?""
He swallowed.
"Nothing.""
"Then why are you worried?""
He glanced toward the living room.
"Because there's something you don't know.""
Before he could continue, Denise shouted from the study.
"Marcus! Come here!""
He flinched.
I took a step closer.
"What don't I know?""
He lowered his voice.
"The account wasn't empty when Dad died.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
Marcus looked at me.
"It means Mom moved the money.""
I stood perfectly still.
"How much?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
"Who moved it?""
He didn't answer.
From the living room, Denise called his name again.
Marcus stepped backward.
"I shouldn't have said anything.""
I grabbed the door handle.
"Marcus.""
He stopped.
"Did you know about Lily being made to eat in the hallway?""
His eyes dropped.
"Yes.""
"How long?""
He didn't respond.
I nodded slowly.
"That's what I thought.""
I left.
Outside, I sat in my truck and called the number on my father's letter.
A man answered.
"Samuel Reed's office.""
"My name is Anthony Brooks. My father was Robert Brooks. I believe he left documents concerning an education account for my daughter.""
There was a brief silence.
Then the man's voice changed.
"Mr. Brooks, I've been expecting your call.""
I gripped the steering wheel.
"How long?""
"Since your father's passing.""
"Why didn't you contact me?""
"We attempted to reach you several times. We were informed that you had received the relevant documents and did not wish to proceed.""
I stared at the windshield.
"Who told you that?""
Another pause.
"Your stepmother.""
I closed my eyes.
"Mr. Reed, I need to know exactly what my father left behind.""
The attorney took a breath.
"Your father established a trust for Lily. The original documents are here. But there's another matter.""
"What?""
"Your father also left instructions concerning a recorded statement.""
"A recorded statement?""
"Yes. He specifically requested that you watch it if there was ever a dispute about the trust.""
My pulse quickened.
"Do you have it?""
"Yes.""
"When can I see it?""
"Tomorrow morning.""
I ended the call.
For a long moment, I sat without moving.
Then I opened the photograph of my father's letter again.
At the bottom, beneath his signature, was a sentence I hadn't noticed before.
Protect Lily from anyone who makes her believe love must be earned.
I read it twice.
Then I called home.
Lily answered.
"Daddy?""
"Hey, princess.""
"Are you coming home?""
"Absolutely.""
"Can we make hot chocolate?""
I smiled despite everything.
"Of course.""
She paused.
"Are you still mad?""
I looked at my father's letter.
"I'm not mad at you, sweetheart.""
"Okay.""
Then she asked the question that changed everything.
"Daddy, if Grandpa left me something, does that mean Grandma Denise was angry because she wanted it?""
I couldn't answer immediately.
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Because suddenly I realized Lily might know more about the missing money than any adult in that house.
And I needed to find out what Denise had told her.
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