Chapter 8: The Last Night My## Chapter 8: The Last Night My Mother Was Alive
"Margaret Mother Was Alive
"Margaret, call me back!""
Richard was already dialing again.
The call went straight to voicemail.
He, call me back!""
Richard was already dialing again.
The call went straight to voicemail.
He tried twice more.
Nothing.
Thomas stood beside the conference table, his expression unusually serious.
"Richard, we need to establish exactly what happened that night.""
"I told you. I arrived alone.""
"Margaret says Martin was with you.""
"Then Margaret is mistaken.""
I looked at my father.
"Are you sure?""
He turned toward me.
"Of course I'm sure.""
"Then why would she say that?""
Richard opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
I had never seen him look so uncertain.
Thomas tried twice more.
Nothing.
Thomas stood beside the conference table, his expression unusually serious.
"Richard, we need to establish exactly what happened that night.""
"I told you. I arrived alone.""
"Margaret says Martin was with you.""
"Then Margaret is mistaken.""
I looked at my father.
"Are you sure?""
He turned toward me.
"Of course I'm sure.""
"Then why would she say that?""
Richard opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
I had never seen him look so uncertain.
Thomas pulled out a chair.
"Let's go through the timeline.""
Richard sat down reluctantly.
" pulled out a chair.
"Let's go through the timeline.""
Richard sat down reluctantly.
"October 14. I was in Chicago for a meeting. Elena called me around seven in the evening. I couldn't answer immediately.""
"Did you call her back?"" ThomasOctober 14. I was in Chicago for a meeting.
Elena called me around seven in the evening. I couldn't answer immediately.""
"Did you call her back?"" Thomas asked.
"Yes. Around eight.""
"What did she say?""
Richard stared at the table.
"She said she needed me to come home.""
"And you did?""
"Yes. I caught a late flight.""
"Did asked.
"Yes. Around eight.""
"What did she say?""
Richard stared at the table.
"She said she needed me to come home.""
"And you did?""
"Yes. I caught a late flight.""
"Did Martin accompany you?""
"No.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Can we check the flight records?""
Thomas nodded.
"I'll request them.""
Daniel opened his laptop Martin accompany you?""
"No.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Can we check the flight records?""
Thomas nodded.
"I'll request them.""
Daniel opened his laptop.
"I may be able to help with the hotel and travel records through the company expense system.""
Richard rubbed his.
"I may be able to help with the hotel and travel records through the company expense system.""
Richard rubbed his face.
"Why would Martin be there?""
Nobody answered.
My phone vibrated.
Mrs. Collins.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?""
"Miss Nia, face.
"Why would Martin be there?""
Nobody answered.
My phone vibrated.
Mrs. Collins.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?""
"Miss Nia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hung up.""
"Are you safe?""
"Yes. I'm at my sister's house.""
"Can you I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hung up.""
"Are you safe?""
"Yes. I'm at my sister's house.""
"Can you tell me what happened that night?""
She hesitated.
Then her voice became quieter.
"I remember everything.""
I looked at Richard.
"Please come to the tell me what happened that night?""
She hesitated.
Then her voice became quieter.
"I remember everything.""
I looked at Richard.
"Please come to the office tomorrow morning. We need you to testify.""
"I can't come there.""
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Hayes made me promise something.""
"What promise?""
"That office tomorrow morning. We need you to testify.""
"I can't come there.""
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Hayes made me promise something.""
"What promise?""
"That if anyone ever tried to change her will or challenge her ability to make decisions, I would show them what I saw.""
My heart began racing.
"Do you if anyone ever tried to change her will or challenge her ability to make decisions, I would show them what I saw.""
My heart began racing.
"Do you have something?""
"Yes.""
"What?""
"A notebook.""
I stood.
"Where is it?""
"Hidden in a box of old photographs. Your mother gave it to me before she became too ill have something?""
"Yes.""
"What?""
"A notebook.""
I stood.
"Where is it?""
"Hidden in a box of old photographs. Your mother gave it to me before she became too ill to leave her room.""
"What's inside?""
Mrs. Collins took a shaky breath.
"Everything she was afraid to say aloud.""
The call ended.
I looked at Thomas.
"We need to get that to leave her room.""
"What's inside?""
Mrs. Collins took a shaky breath.
"Everything she was afraid to say aloud.""
The call ended.
I looked at Thomas.
"We need to get that notebook.""
Thomas nodded.
"I'll arrange a secure meeting.""
Richard stood.
"I'm coming.""
The next notebook.""
Thomas nodded.
"I'll arrange a secure meeting.""
Richard stood.
"I'm coming.""
The next morning, at 7:15, we met Mrs. Collins at a small café three blocks from her sister's apartment.
She wore a dark coat and carried an morning, at 7:15, we met Mrs. Collins at a small café three blocks from her sister's apartment.
She wore a dark coat and carried an old canvas bag.
When she saw us, she immediately embraced me.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart.""
I held her tightly.
"You don't old canvas bag.
When she saw us, she immediately embraced me.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart.""
I held her tightly.
"You don't have to apologize.""
She sat down and removed a small brown notebook.
Its edges were worn.
Several pages were marked with yellow sticky notes.
"I've have to apologize.""
She sat down and removed a small brown notebook.
Its edges were worn.
Several pages were marked with yellow sticky notes.
"I've kept this for seven years," she said.
Richard stared at it.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Mrs. Collins looked directly at him.
"Because kept this for seven years," she said.
Richard stared at it.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Mrs. Collins looked directly at him.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of me?""
"Of what would happen if the wrong person found out.""
Richard lowered his eyes.
I was afraid.""
"Of me?""
"Of what would happen if the wrong person found out.""
Richard lowered his eyes.
She opened the notebook.
"Your mother began writing things down after she discovered the company transfers.""
Thomas leanedShe opened the notebook.
"Your mother began writing things down after she discovered the company transfers.""
Thomas leaned forward.
"Did she mention Martin?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"Several times.""
She turned to a page dated October 10.
The handwriting was my mother's.
*Martin came to the house forward.
"Did she mention Martin?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"Several times.""
She turned to a page dated October 10.
The handwriting was my mother's.
Martin came to the house today. He says the missing money is an accounting error. I don't believe him.
The next entry was dated October 12.
Diane knows about the investigation. She asked today. He says the missing money is an accounting error. I don't believe him.
The next entry was dated October 12.
Diane knows about the investigation. She asked me whether Nia's trust could be changed if I became too ill to manage it.
I felt my stomach tighten me whether Nia's trust could be changed if I became too ill to manage it.*
I felt my stomach tighten.
.
Another entry.
*Richard stillAnother entry.
Richard still believes Martin is his closest friend. I don't know how to tell him that the man he trusts most has been stealing from our family.
Richard stared at the page.
"She never told me.""
Mrs. Collins continued.
"Your mother was trying to gather proof before confronting him.""
She turned to October 14.
The entry was longer.
Richard is coming tonight. Martin insists he must be present. I told Richard I wanted to speak to him alone, but Martin says the company situation cannot wait.
Richard looked up.
"Martin insisted on coming?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"Yes.""
She turned another page.
I asked Richard whether he knew about the transfers. He said he didn't. I believe him.
Richard closed his eyes.
Then Mrs. Collins read the final lines.
Martin became angry when I refused to sign the new authorization. He said the company could not survive if I continued interfering. Richard told him to leave.
She stopped.
I leaned forward.
"What happened next?""
Mrs. Collins looked believes Martin is his closest friend. I don't know how to tell him that the man he trusts most has been stealing from our family.*
Richard stared at the page.
"She never told me.""
Mrs. Collins continued.
"Your mother was trying to gather proof before confronting him.""
She turned to October 14.
The entry was longer.
Richard is coming tonight. Martin insists he must be present. I told Richard I wanted to speak to him alone, but Martin says the company situation cannot wait.
Richard looked up.
"Martin insisted on coming?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"Yes.""
She turned another page.
I asked Richard whether he knew about the transfers. He said he didn't. I believe him.
Richard closed his eyes.
Then Mrs. Collins read the final lines.
Martin became angry when I refused to sign the new authorization. He said the company could not survive if I continued interfering. Richard told him to leave.
She stopped.
I leaned forward.
"What happened next?""
Mrs. Collins looked at my father.
"Mr. Hayes left the room first. Mr. Cole followed him.""
Richard shook his head.
"I don't remember.""
Mrs. Collins continued.
"Your mother called me into the bedroom afterward. She was crying. She asked me to bring her medicine and water.""
I felt tears forming.
"What did she say?""
Mrs. Collins looked down.
"She said, 'I thought Richard would protect me.''"
Richard covered his face.
Mrs. Collins reached into the notebook and removed a folded piece of paper.
" at my father.
"Mr. Hayes left the room first. Mr. Cole followed him.""
Richard shook his head.
"I don't remember.""
Mrs. Collins continued.
"Your mother called me into the bedroom afterward. She was crying. She asked me to bring her medicine and water.""
I felt tears forming.
"What did she say?""
Mrs. Collins looked down.
"She said, 'I thought Richard would protect me.''"
Richard covered his face.
Mrs. Collins reached into the notebook and removed a folded piece of paper.
"There's something else.""
She placed it on the table.
It was a visitor log from the hospital.
Three names appeared.
Richard Hayes.
Martin Cole.
Diane Hayes.
I stared.
"Diane was there too?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"She arrived later that night.""
Richard looked up sharply.
"Why?""
"I don't know, sir. But she went into your wife's room.""
Thomas examined the log.
"Do you remember what time?""
"Just after midnight.""
"How long was she there?""
"Twenty-three minutes.""
I felt cold.
"What happened during those twenty-three minutes?""
Mrs. Collins hesitated.
Then she opened the notebook again.
"I wasn't in the room. ButThere's something else.""
She placed it on the table.
It was a visitor log from the hospital.
Three names appeared.
Richard Hayes.
Martin Cole.
Diane Hayes.
I stared.
"Diane was there too?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"She arrived later that night.""
Richard looked up sharply.
"Why?""
"I don't know, sir. But she went into your wife's room.""
Thomas examined the log.
"Do you remember what time?""
"Just after midnight.""
"How long was she there?""
"Twenty-three minutes.""
I felt cold.
"What happened during those twenty-three minutes?""
Mrs. Collins hesitated.
Then she opened the notebook again.
"I wasn't in the room. But I heard them arguing.""
"What did they say?""
She looked at me.
"Your mother said, 'You promised you wouldn't involve my I heard them arguing.""
"What did they say?""
She looked at me.
"Your mother said, 'You promised you wouldn't involve my daughter.''"
I stopped breathing.
Diane's answer was written in the notebook.
She won't have to know anything if you cooperate.
I stared at the words.
"What did Mom say?""
Mrs. Collins swallowed.
"She said, 'Nia daughter.''"
I stopped breathing.
Diane's answer was written in the notebook.
She won't have to know anything if you cooperate.
I stared at the words.
"What did Mom say?""
Mrs. Collins swallowed.
"She said, 'Nia will know everything when she's old enough.''"
The café suddenly felt too small.
Thomas photographed every page.
"We need will know everything when she's old enough.''"
The café suddenly felt too small.
Thomas photographed every page.
"We need to preserve this. It could be extremely important.""
Richard remained silent.
I looked at him.
"Dad?""
He raised his eyes.
"Yes to preserve this. It could be extremely important.""
Richard remained silent.
I looked at him.
"Dad?""
He raised his eyes.
"Yes?""
"Did Mom ever tell you she was afraid of Diane?""
He shook his head slowly.
"No.""
"Did she ever ask you to protect me from her?""
He swallowed.
?""
"Did Mom ever tell you she was afraid of Diane?""
He shook his head slowly.
"No.""
"Did she ever ask you to protect me from her?""
He swallowed.
"She told me to make sure you always had a choice.""
I looked at the notebook.
My mother had known.
She had known Diane and Martin were working together.
She had known someone wanted"She told me to make sure you always had a choice.""
I looked at the notebook.
My mother had known.
She had known Diane and Martin were working together.
She had known someone wanted control of the company.
And she had tried to leave me enough evidence to protect myself.
Then Mrs. Collins reached into her bag again.
control of the company.
And she had tried to leave me enough evidence to protect myself.
Then Mrs. Collins reached into her bag again.
"There is one more thing.""
She removed a small envelope.
The front had my name written on it.
I recognized"There is one more thing.""
She removed a small envelope.
The front had my name written on it.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
My hands began shaking.
"Where did you get this?""
"Your mother gave it to me on the morning she was hospitalized.""
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph the handwriting immediately.
My hands began shaking.
"Where did you get this?""
"Your mother gave it to me on the morning she was hospitalized.""
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed my mother sitting in her hospital bed.
She was holding a small piece of paper.
On the back of the photograph, she'd written:
**If they tell Nia.
It showed my mother sitting in her hospital bed.
She was holding a small piece of paper.
On the back of the photograph, she'd written:
*If they tell Nia I was confused, show her this.*
I turned the photograph over.
The paper in her hand contained a short handwritten statement.
I am making this decision freely and with I was confused, show her this.*
I turned the photograph over.
The paper in her hand contained a short handwritten statement.
I am making this decision freely and with full understanding. No person has pressured me. My daughter Nia is to inherit my shares, my trust, and the rights attached to both.
Below it was her signature.
And beneath that were full understanding. No person has pressured me. My daughter Nia is to inherit my shares, my trust, and the rights attached to both.*
Below it was her signature.
And beneath that were two witness signatures.
Thomas studied them two witness signatures.
Thomas studied them.
"These are the witnesses to the final amendment.""
He looked at Mrs. Collins.
"Who signed this?""
She pointed.
"Me. And Dr. Samuel Bennett.""
Thomas looked surprised.
"Her physician?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"He was there when she signed.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Can we contact him?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"I believe he still works at the.
"These are the witnesses to the final amendment.""
He looked at Mrs. Collins.
"Who signed this?""
She pointed.
"Me. And Dr. Samuel Bennett.""
Thomas looked surprised.
"Her physician?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"He was there when she signed.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Can we contact him?""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"I believe he still works at the same hospital.""
Thomas immediately made a call.
Five minutes later, he had an appointment arranged.
But before we could leave same hospital.""
Thomas immediately made a call.
Five minutes later, he had an appointment arranged.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
Ava.
I answered.
"Nia?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Where are you?""
"Why?""
"Mom is doing something terrible.""
My stomach, my phone rang.
Ava.
I answered.
"Nia?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Where are you?""
"Why?""
"Mom is doing something terrible.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
"She's packing.""
tightened.
"What?""
"She's packing.""
"Then let her.""
"No. You don't understand. She's taking Dad's documents.""
I stood.
"What documents?""
"The company files. The old contracts. The original trust papers.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Can you stop her?""
He was already reaching for his phone.
A"Then let her.""
"No. You don't understand. She's taking Dad's documents.""
I stood.
"What documents?""
"The company files. The old contracts. The original trust papers.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Can you stop her?""
He was already reaching for his phone.
Ava continued.
"She's saying she's going to destroy everything before the meeting.""
"Where is she?""
"At the mansion.""
"Stayva continued.
"She's saying she's going to destroy everything before the meeting.""
"Where is she?""
"At the mansion.""
"Stay away from her.""
Ava began crying.
"There's something else, Nia.""
"What?""
"She found the recording.""
My heart stopped.
"What recording?""
"The one away from her.""
Ava began crying.
"There's something else, Nia.""
"What?""
"She found the recording.""
My heart stopped.
"What recording?""
"The one in Grandma Elena's study. Mom knows about it.""
I looked at the notebook.
The original recording was already with us.
But Ava's next in Grandma Elena's study. Mom knows about it.""
I looked at the notebook.
The original recording was already with us.
But Ava's next words made my blood run cold.
"She says there's another one.""
I stared at the phone.
"Another recording?""
Ava whispered:
"She says it proves Dad was involved in what happened to words made my blood run cold.
"She says there's another one.""
I stared at the phone.
"Another recording?""
Ava whispered:
"She says it proves Dad was involved in what happened to Grandma.""
The call disconnected.
Richard looked at me.
"What's wrong?""
I repeated Ava's words.
His face hardened.
"Let's go home.""
But Thomas stopped him.
"Richard, Grandma.""
The call disconnected.
Richard looked at me.
"What's wrong?""
I repeated Ava's words.
His face hardened.
"Let's go home.""
But Thomas stopped him.
"Richard, wait. If Diane is removing evidence, we need the police involved.""
Richard looked at him.
"Then call them.""
We drove back to the mansion.
A patrol car was wait. If Diane is removing evidence, we need the police involved.""
Richard looked at him.
"Then call them.""
We drove back to the mansion.
A patrol car was already outside.
Inside, the front hallway was in chaos.
Two suitcases stood beside the staircase.
Ava was crying near the living room.
already outside.
Inside, the front hallway was in chaos.
Two suitcases stood beside the staircase.
Ava was crying near the living room.
Diane stood by the front door, holding a leather document case.
Richard walked toward her.
"Put it down.""
Diane laughed.
"You're too late.""
"What have you taken?""
"Nothing that belongs to you.""
RichardDiane stood by the front door, holding a leather document case.
Richard walked toward her.
"Put it down.""
Diane laughed.
"You're too late.""
"What have you taken?""
"Nothing that belongs to you.""
Richard held out his hand.
"Give me the case.""
She tightened her grip.
"Not until you listen to me.""
I stepped forward.
"What recording are you talking about?""
D held out his hand.
"Give me the case.""
She tightened her grip.
"Not until you listen to me.""
I stepped forward.
"What recording are you talking about?""
Diane looked at me.
Then she smiled.
A cold, unfamiliar smile.
"The one your mother made after your father left the hospital thatiane looked at me.
Then she smiled.
A cold, unfamiliar smile.
"The one your mother made after your father left the hospital that night.""
Richard froze.
"That's impossible.""
Diane opened the document case.
Inside was a small digital recorder.
She held it up.
"Your mother recorded everything.""
I stared at the device.
"Then play it night.""
Richard froze.
"That's impossible.""
Diane opened the document case.
Inside was a small digital recorder.
She held it up.
"Your mother recorded everything.""
I stared at the device.
"Then play it.""
Diane looked at Richard.
"Are you sure you want her to hear this?""
My father didn't answer.
Diane pressed a button.
Static filled the hallway.
Then my mother's.""
Diane looked at Richard.
"Are you sure you want her to hear this?""
My father didn't answer.
Diane pressed a button.
Static filled the hallway.
Then my mother's voice emerged.
"Richard, if you're listening to this, I need you to understand that I know what you agreed to.""
Richard staggered backward.
My mother continued.
"You told Martin you voice emerged.
"Richard, if you're listening to this, I need you to understand that I know what you agreed to.""
Richard staggered backward.
My mother continued.
"You told Martin you would sign the documents. You told him you would protect the company, even if it meant sacrificing me.""
Richard whispered:
"No...""
The recording continued.
"Please, Richard would sign the documents. You told him you would protect the company, even if it meant sacrificing me.""
Richard whispered:
"No...""
The recording continued.
"Please, Richard. Don't let them take Nia's future.""
Then came my father's voice.
Clear.
Unmistakable.
"I'll do whatever it takes.""
The recording stopped.
I stared at him.
. Don't let them take Nia's future.""
Then came my father's voice.
Clear.
Unmistakable.
"I'll do whatever it takes.""
The recording stopped.
I stared at him.
He looked at me.
And for the first time in my life, I didn't know whether I could trust my own father.
May you like
He looked at me.
And for the first time in my life, I didn't know whether I could trust my own father.
