Chapter 9: The Attorney Who Sold My Family
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything.
Marcus Reed.
The man who had represented my company for ten years.
The man who had helped me negotiate contracts.
The man who had sat beside me when my father died.
.
The man who had represented my company for ten years.
The man who had helped me negotiate contracts.
The man who had sat beside me when my father died.
The man who had promised to protect my interests.
He had been working with Malcolm Pierce.
I looked at Richard.
“Prove it.””
My father placed another document on theThe man who had promised to protect my interests.
He had been working with Malcolm Pierce.
I looked at Richard.
“Prove it.””
My father placed another document on the table.
It contained a list of payments made to a law firm registered under Marcus's name.
The transfers began seven years earlier.
The amounts ranged from $25,000 to $300 table.
It contained a list of payments made to a law firm registered under Marcus's name.
The transfers began seven years earlier.
The amounts ranged from $25,000 to $300,000.
There were forty-three transactions.
I read the total at the bottom.
$6.4 million.
Vanessa stared at the page.
“Why,000.
There were forty-three transactions.
I read the total at the bottom.
$6.4 million.
Vanessa stared at the page.
“Why would he do that?””
Richard answered.
“Because Marcus was the person who handled the original estate settlement. He had access to the would he do that?””
Richard answered.
“Because Marcus was the person who handled the original estate settlement. He had access to the records, the company accounts, and the legal documents required to move the money.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Then why did he help us find the archive?””
Richard shook his head.
“To see what you had discovered.””
Leonard stepped forward.
“Did records, the company accounts, and the legal documents required to move the money.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Then why did he help us find the archive?””
Richard shook his head.
“To see what you had discovered.””
Leonard stepped forward.
“Did Marcus know about the second ledger?””
“Yes.””
“Where is it?””
Richard looked at me.
“Your father left it with someone he believed could be trusted.””
I laughed.
“Apparently, he Marcus know about the second ledger?””
“Yes.””
“Where is it?””
Richard looked at me.
“Your father left it with someone he believed could be trusted.””
I laughed.
“Apparently, he had terrible judgment.””
Richard accepted the insult.
“He made mistakes. So did I.””
I pointed at the photograph.
“Who is the woman standing beside Marcus?””
Richard's expression changed.
“Evelyn Shaw.””
“The investor?””
He nodded.
“She controlled the offshore had terrible judgment.””
Richard accepted the insult.
“He made mistakes. So did I.””
I pointed at the photograph.
“Who is the woman standing beside Marcus?””
Richard's expression changed.
“Evelyn Shaw.””
“The investor?””
He nodded.
“She controlled the offshore trust that received the stolen money.””
Vanessa picked up the document.
“Then why is Camille connected to all of this?””
Richard looked toward the window.
“Because Camille was supposed to be the public face of the trust that received the stolen money.””
Vanessa picked up the document.
“Then why is Camille connected to all of this?””
Richard looked toward the window.
“Because Camille was supposed to be the public face of the operation.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“She had access to your business accounts. She could move money through legitimate transactions and make the transfers appear connected to family investments.””
I stared at him.
“And me?””
Richard took a breath.
“You were the final beneficiary.””
I shook my head.
“Explain.””
“The company was established using your father's original operation.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“She had access to your business accounts. She could move money through legitimate transactions and make the transfers appear connected to family investments.””
I stared at him.
“And me?””
Richard took a breath.
“You were the final beneficiary.””
I shook my head.
“Explain.””
“The company was established using your father's original investment structure. When he died, the ownership was supposed to transfer to you. But Pierce wanted control of the assets.””
“So he used Camille?””
“Yes.””
“And the affair?””
Richard looked down.
“Your affair gave Camille leverage. She knew she could threaten your reputation, force you into a settlement, and make the money investment structure. When he died, the ownership was supposed to transfer to you. But Pierce wanted control of the assets.””
“So he used Camille?””
“Yes.””
“And the affair?””
Richard looked down.
“Your affair gave Camille leverage. She knew she could threaten your reputation, force you into a settlement, and make the money disappear before anyone questioned the transfers.””
I felt sick.
“She was going to use my infidelity to cover up forty-two million dollars?””
“More than that.””
Richard opened another folder.
“The total amount moved through the network was closer to sixty-eight million.””
I sat down.
Vanessa placed a hand on the back of my chair.
“Why didn't you go to the authorities?””
Richard looked at her.
“Because Pierce had people inside the system. Every time we tried to report the fraud, someone received a warning.””
Leonard nodded slowly.
“I saw evidence of that.””
Richard turned toward him.
“You disappear before anyone questioned the transfers.””
I felt sick.
“She was going to use my infidelity to cover up forty-two million dollars?””
“More than that.””
Richard opened another folder.
“The total amount moved through the network was closer to sixty-eight million.””
I sat down.
Vanessa placed a hand on the back of my chair.
“Why didn't you go to the authorities?””
Richard looked at her.
“Because Pierce had people inside the system. Every time we tried to report the fraud, someone received a warning.””
Leonard nodded slowly.
“I saw evidence of that.””
Richard turned toward him.
“You were paid to protect the archive.””
“And I did.””
“Until Camille hired you to kill Vanessa.””
Leonard didn't respond.
Richard looked at me.
“Darius, I need you to understand something. I didn't disappear because I stopped were paid to protect the archive.””
“And I did.””
“Until Camille hired you to kill Vanessa.””
Leonard didn't respond.
Richard looked at me.
“Darius, I need you to understand something. I didn't disappear because I stopped loving you. I disappeared because I believed staying close to you would get you killed.””
I looked at him.
“You could have told me.””
“I couldn't.””
“You could have called.””
“I couldn't.””
“You could have written!””
loving you. I disappeared because I believed staying close to you would get you killed.””
I looked at him.
“You could have told me.””
“I couldn't.””
“You could have called.””
“I couldn't.””
“You could have written!””
His eyes filled.
“I wrote you forty-seven letters.””
I stopped.
“What?””
He looked toward the fireplace.
“Your uncle interceptedHis eyes filled.
“I wrote you forty-seven letters.””
I stopped.
“What?””
He looked toward the fireplace.
“Your uncle intercepted them. Camille destroyed the ones that reached the house.””
I turned toward Robert.
He was standing near the hallway.
His face was them. Camille destroyed the ones that reached the house.””
I turned toward Robert.
He was standing near the hallway.
His face was pale.
“Is that true?””
Robert looked down.
“Some of them.””
I felt rage rise.
“Some?””
He pale.
“Is that true?””
Robert looked down.
“Some of them.””
I felt rage rise.
“Some?””
He swallowed.
“I was told it was necessary.””
I approached him.
“You helped erase my father from my life.””
Robert's swallowed.
“I was told it was necessary.””
I approached him.
“You helped erase my father from my life.””
Robert's voice cracked.
“I was trying to protect my brother.””
“You protected the money.””
He said nothing.
Richard stepped between us.
“Enough. We need to find the ledger before Pierce does.””
I looked at him.
“Where voice cracked.
“I was trying to protect my brother.””
“You protected the money.””
He said nothing.
Richard stepped between us.
“Enough. We need to find the ledger before Pierce does.””
I looked at him.
“Where is it?””
He opened a drawer in the side table.
Inside was a small brass key.
“This belongs to the old Whitaker medical research center.””
Vanessa took it.
“My is it?””
He opened a drawer in the side table.
Inside was a small brass key.
“This belongs to the old Whitaker medical research center.””
Vanessa took it.
“My father worked there.””
Richard nodded.
“He built a secure records room beneath the original laboratory. The second ledger is there.””
Leonard looked at the key.
“Is the father worked there.””
Richard nodded.
“He built a secure records room beneath the original laboratory. The second ledger is there.””
Leonard looked at the key.
“Is the building still operational?””
“Partially. The main laboratory closed three years ago. The archive remains intact.””
Vanessa stared at her father.
“ building still operational?””
“Partially. The main laboratory closed three years ago. The archive remains intact.””
Vanessa stared at her father.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“Arthur wanted to tell you. But he disappeared before he could.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“Was he killed?””
Why didn't you tell me?””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“Arthur wanted to tell you. But he disappeared before he could.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“Was he killed?””
Richard hesitated.
Then he nodded.
“I believe so.””
Vanessa turned away.
I moved toward her.
She raised one hand.
“PleaseRichard hesitated.
Then he nodded.
“I believe so.””
Vanessa turned away.
I moved toward her.
She raised one hand.
“Please. Not right now.””
I stopped.
She walked toward the window and stood there for several seconds.
Then she turned back.
“Let's get the ledger.””
At 4:15 p.m.,. Not right now.””
I stopped.
She walked toward the window and stood there for several seconds.
Then she turned back.
“Let's get the ledger.””
At 4:15 p.m., we arrived at the old research center.
The building was surrounded by overgrown landscaping and a chain-link fence.
we arrived at the old research center.
The building was surrounded by overgrown landscaping and a chain-link fence.
A faded sign still displayed the name of the original company.
WHITAKER MEDICAL RESEARCH.
Vanessa stood at the entrance.
Her fingers trembled aroundA faded sign still displayed the name of the original company.
WHITAKER MEDICAL RESEARCH.
Vanessa stood at the entrance.
Her fingers trembled around the brass key.
“My father used to bring me here when I was little.””
I looked at her.
“What was he like?””
She smiled sadly.
“He was patient the brass key.
“My father used to bring me here when I was little.””
I looked at her.
“What was he like?””
She smiled sadly.
“He was patient. He used to explain complicated things with children's books and drawings. He believed every problem had a solution.””
She inserted the key into the lock.
“But. He used to explain complicated things with children's books and drawings. He believed every problem had a solution.””
She inserted the key into the lock.
“But he never told me about any of this.””
The door opened.
Inside, the hallway was dark.
Leonard switched on his flashlight.
We moved past empty offices and abandoned equipment.
At the end of he never told me about any of this.””
The door opened.
Inside, the hallway was dark.
Leonard switched on his flashlight.
We moved past empty offices and abandoned equipment.
At the end of the corridor was a stairwell leading underground.
Richard stopped.
“This is where Arthur kept the original records.””
We descended.
The basement smelled of dust and old paper.
There were several filing cabinets.
A metal door the corridor was a stairwell leading underground.
Richard stopped.
“This is where Arthur kept the original records.””
We descended.
The basement smelled of dust and old paper.
There were several filing cabinets.
A metal door stood at the far end.
Vanessa used the brass key.
It turned.
The door opened.
Inside was a stood at the far end.
Vanessa used the brass key.
It turned.
The door opened.
Inside was a small archive room.
Rows of shelves contained old boxes, binders, and computer storage devices.
I small archive room.
Rows of shelves contained old boxes, binders, and computer storage devices.
I looked at the labels.
Company ownership.
Medical investment accounts.
Estate transfers.
Then I found a box with my name on it.
**DARIUS BROOKS looked at the labels.
Company ownership.
Medical investment accounts.
Estate transfers.
Then I found a box with my name on it.
*DARIUS BROOKS — ORIGINAL BENEFICIARY RECORDS.*
I opened it.
Inside were birth records, adoption documents, financial statements, and a sealed envelope.
The envelope was addressed to both Vanessa and me.
I looked — ORIGINAL BENEFICIARY RECORDS.**
I opened it.
Inside were birth records, adoption documents, financial statements, and a sealed envelope.
The envelope was addressed to both Vanessa and me.
I looked at her.
She nodded.
We opened it together.
The first page was a letter from Arthur Whitaker.
*To at her.
She nodded.
We opened it together.
The first page was a letter from Arthur Whitaker.
To my children,
If this letter has reached you, then the people who tried to separate our family have finally failed my children,
If this letter has reached you, then the people who tried to separate our family have finally failed.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
I continued reading.
I have spent years trying to correct the damage caused by the investment network. Richard.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
I continued reading.
I have spent years trying to correct the damage caused by the investment network. Richard and I made a terrible mistake when we trusted Malcolm Pierce.
We believed he was helping us expand medical and I made a terrible mistake when we trusted Malcolm Pierce.
We believed he was helping us expand medical research. Instead, he used our company as a channel for illegal financial transfers.
When I discovered what he was doing, he threatened my family.
I made a decision.
I turned research. Instead, he used our company as a channel for illegal financial transfers.*
When I discovered what he was doing, he threatened my family.
I made a decision.
I turned the page.
I separated the original ownership records into two parts. One is held by Richard. The other is here.
*Neither part can release the page.
I separated the original ownership records into two parts. One is held by Richard. The other is here.
Neither part can release the trust without the approval of both children.
I frowned.
“Both children?””
Vanessa nodded.
“The trust.””
The letter continued.
the trust without the approval of both children.
I frowned.
“Both children?””
Vanessa nodded.
“The trust.””
The letter continued.
Darius and Vanessa are equal beneficiaries. Neither can be removed without the other's consent.
I looked at her.
For the first time since learningDarius and Vanessa are equal beneficiaries. Neither can be removed without the other's consent.*
I looked at her.
For the first time since learning the truth, I felt something other than shock.
My father and Arthur had tried to protect both of us.
They had created something that could survive the people trying to destroy them.
I opened the final page.
the truth, I felt something other than shock.
My father and Arthur had tried to protect both of us.
They had created something that could survive the people trying to destroy them.
I opened the final page.
There was a list of names.
Malcolm Pierce.
Evelyn Shaw.
There was a list of names.
Malcolm Pierce.
Evelyn Shaw.
Robert Brooks.
Camille Brooks.
Marcus Reed.
And one more.
Leonard Cross.
I looked up.
Leonard was standing near the door.
His face had changed.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
Vanessa followed my gaze.
“Leonard?””
He steppedRobert Brooks.
Camille Brooks.
Marcus Reed.
And one more.
Leonard Cross.
I looked up.
Leonard was standing near the door.
His face had changed.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
Vanessa followed my gaze.
“Leonard?””
He stepped backward.
Richard looked at him.
“You knew.””
Leonard lowered his eyes.
“I knew some of it.””
“You were on the list.””
backward.
Richard looked at him.
“You knew.””
Leonard lowered his eyes.
“I knew some of it.””
“You were on the list.””
“Yes.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“What does that mean?””
Leonard finally spoke.
“I helped move the original archive seven years ago.””
Richard“Yes.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“What does that mean?””
Leonard finally spoke.
“I helped move the original archive seven years ago.””
Richard stared at him.
“You told me you were protecting it.””
“I was protecting part of it.””
“Where is the rest?””
stared at him.
“You told me you were protecting it.””
“I was protecting part of it.””
“Where is the rest?””
Leonard looked toward the shelves.
“Malcolm has it.””
Before anyone could respond, the basement lights went out.
A loud metallic sound came from the stairwell.
Then theLeonard looked toward the shelves.
“Malcolm has it.””
Before anyone could respond, the basement lights went out.
A loud metallic sound came from the stairwell.
Then the door slammed.
Vanessa grabbed my arm.
“Darius!””
Leonard immediately switched on his flashlight.
“Everybody door slammed.
Vanessa grabbed my arm.
“Darius!””
Leonard immediately switched on his flashlight.
“Everybody stay where you are.””
A voice came through the basement speaker.
“Good evening, everyone.””
I recognized it.
stay where you are.””
A voice came through the basement speaker.
“Good evening, everyone.””
I recognized it.
Marcus Reed.
My attorney.
“I'm glad you found the archive,” he continued.
Richard movedMarcus Reed.
My attorney.
“I'm glad you found the archive,” he continued.
Richard moved toward the door.
“Marcus, don't do this.””
A soft laugh came through the speaker.
“Richard, you really should have stayed dead.””
I looked toward the ceiling.
“Marcus! What do you want?””
toward the door.
“Marcus, don't do this.””
A soft laugh came through the speaker.
“Richard, you really should have stayed dead.””
I looked toward the ceiling.
“Marcus! What do you want?””
The speaker crackled.
“The ledger, Darius.””
“Come down here and get it.””
“IThe speaker crackled.
“The ledger, Darius.””
“Come down here and get it.””
“I don't need to.””
A red indicator began flashing above the door.
Vanessa looked at it.
“What's that?””
Leonard's face turned pale.
“Remote security don't need to.””
A red indicator began flashing above the door.
Vanessa looked at it.
“What's that?””
Leonard's face turned pale.
“Remote security lock.””
The speaker came alive again.
“Darius, I know you've discovered the trust. I also know lock.””
The speaker came alive again.
“Darius, I know you've discovered the trust. I also know you have the original beneficiary records.””
I held the letter tightly.
“Then why don't you come down and take them?””
Marcus laughed.
“Because I don't want the documents anymore.””
I frowned.
“What?””
you have the original beneficiary records.””
I held the letter tightly.
“Then why don't you come down and take them?””
Marcus laughed.
“Because I don't want the documents anymore.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“I want the signatures.””
Richard looked at me.
“Don't sign anything.””
The speaker continued.
“The trust requires approval from both beneficiaries. You and Vanessa“I want the signatures.””
Richard looked at me.
“Don't sign anything.””
The speaker continued.
“The trust requires approval from both beneficiaries. You and Vanessa simply need to authorize the transfer.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You're not getting anything.””
Marcus sighed.
“I was hoping we could do this peacefully.””
Then a screen on the wall switched on.
It displayed simply need to authorize the transfer.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You're not getting anything.””
Marcus sighed.
“I was hoping we could do this peacefully.””
Then a screen on the wall switched on.
It displayed a live video feed.
Eleanor was sitting in her living room.
Her hands were tied.
Camille stood behind her.
Vanessa screamed.
“NO!””
Marcus's voice became colder.
“You a live video feed.
Eleanor was sitting in her living room.
Her hands were tied.
Camille stood behind her.
Vanessa screamed.
“NO!””
Marcus's voice became colder.
“You have thirty minutes to sign the transfer documents. Otherwise, Mrs. Brooks will be taken somewhere you won't find her.””
I rushed toward the locked door.
“Marcus! Leave have thirty minutes to sign the transfer documents. Otherwise, Mrs. Brooks will be taken somewhere you won't find her.””
I rushed toward the locked door.
“Marcus! Leave my mother alone!””
He ignored me.
“There's another complication.””
The screen changed.
This time, it showed Camille sitting in a chair.
She looked directly into the camera.
Then she spoke.
“Darius, my mother alone!””
He ignored me.
“There's another complication.””
The screen changed.
This time, it showed Camille sitting in a chair.
She looked directly into the camera.
Then she spoke.
“Darius, listen to me. Don't sign anything.””
I froze.
Marcus stepped into the camera's view.
He placed a document on the table in front of her.
Cam listen to me. Don't sign anything.””
I froze.
Marcus stepped into the camera's view.
He placed a document on the table in front of her.
Camille looked at it.
Then she looked into the camera again.
“Your mother isn't the only person he has.””
The image shifted.
A photograph appeared.
It showed a young woman standingille looked at it.
Then she looked into the camera again.
“Your mother isn't the only person he has.””
The image shifted.
A photograph appeared.
It showed a young woman standing beside a hospital bed.
The woman looked almost exactly like Vanessa.
Marcus's voice returned.
“Arthur Whitaker didn't have two children, Darius.””
I stared at the screen.
“He beside a hospital bed.
The woman looked almost exactly like Vanessa.
Marcus's voice returned.
“Arthur Whitaker didn't have two children, Darius.””
I stared at the screen.
“He had three.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No…”
Marcus smiled.
“And the third child is the person who has been helping me from had three.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No…”
Marcus smiled.
“And the third child is the person who has been helping me from the beginning.””
The screen went black.
Then a final message appeared.
*CHECK YOUR PHONE.*
My phone vibrated.
A text message appeared from an unknown number.
*Darius, if the beginning.””
The screen went black.
Then a final message appeared.
*CHECK YOUR PHONE.*
My phone vibrated.
A text message appeared from an unknown number.
Darius, if you want to know who really killed Arthur Whitaker, ask Vanessa what happened the night her father died.
I slowly turned toward her.
She was crying.
“Vanessa you want to know who really killed Arthur Whitaker, ask Vanessa what happened the night her father died.*
I slowly turned toward her.
She was crying.
“Vanessa?””
She shook her head.
“Darius, I didn't know he was going to die.””
I stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
She covered her face.
Then?””
She shook her head.
“Darius, I didn't know he was going to die.””
I stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
She covered her face.
Then she whispered:
“I was the last person who saw my father alive.””
May you like
she whispered:
“I was the last person who saw my father alive.””
