Chapter 5: My Father Left One Last Secret
The safe had been opened at 11:58 p.m.
My Father Left One Last Secret
The safe had been opened at 11:58 p.m.
Two minutes before midnight.
And according to Leonard Cross, the person who opened it had used a key that was supposed to have been destroyed sevenTwo minutes before midnight.
And according to Leonard Cross, the person who opened it had used a key that was supposed to have been destroyed seven years earlier.
I looked at him.
“Where is this archive?””
“An old commercial building near downtown Atlanta. Your father maintained a private office there.””
“I've never heard of it.””
“That's probably intentional.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“My father knew about that years earlier.
I looked at him.
“Where is this archive?””
“An old commercial building near downtown Atlanta. Your father maintained a private office there.””
“I've never heard of it.””
“That's probably intentional.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“My father knew about that building.””
Leonard turned toward her.
“How?””
“He mentioned it once. He told me Arthur Whitaker had kept some original financial records there.””
I looked between them.
“Who is Arthur Whitaker?””
Vanessa took a breath.
“My father's former business partner. The man whose name appears on the company registration.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Then why didn't either of you tell me about this before?””
“Because I didn't know your father was involved,” Vanessa replied.
“I only discovered the connection three weeks ago.””
Leonard checked his watch.
“We need to move.””
I shook my head.
“I'm calling Marcus.””
“Do that from somewhere secure.””
I picked up my phone.
This time, the call connected.
Marcus answered immediately.
“Darius? Where have you been?””
“There's been a development.””
“Tell me you're not still building.””
Leonard turned toward her.
“How?””
“He mentioned it once. He told me Arthur Whitaker had kept some original financial records there.””
I looked between them.
“Who is Arthur Whitaker?””
Vanessa took a breath.
“My father's former business partner. The man whose name appears on the company registration.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Then why didn't either of you tell me about this before?””
“Because I didn't know your father was involved,” Vanessa replied.
“I only discovered the connection three weeks ago.””
Leonard checked his watch.
“We need to move.””
I shook my head.
“I'm calling Marcus.””
“Do that from somewhere secure.””
I picked up my phone.
This time, the call connected.
Marcus answered immediately.
“Darius? Where have you been?””
“There's been a development.””
“Tell me you're not still at the house.””
I glanced at Vanessa.
“I am.””
Marcus cursed under his breath.
“Listen carefully. I just received an alert from a financial at the house.””
I glanced at Vanessa.
“I am.””
Marcus cursed under his breath.
“Listen carefully. I just received an alert from a financial monitoring service. Someone has attempted to access monitoring service. Someone has attempted to access the Brooks Heritage Holdings records.””
“Who?””
“An administrator using credentials connected to your father's old estate.””
I looked at Leonard.
“Someone opened my father's archive.””
Marcus went silent.
Then he asked, “Who told you?””
“Leonard Cross.””
Another silence.
“Darius, don't go anywhere with that man.””
“Why?””
“Because I've been trying to reach you for twenty minutes. I found something in the original incorporation records.””
“What?””
“Leonard Cross's name.””
I looked at the man standing across from me.
His expression remained perfectly calm.
Marcus continued.
“He wasn't just connected to the security company. Seven years ago, he was listed as a consultant for the same investment group that handled your father's estate.””
I lowered the phone.
“Leonard.””
He looked at me.
“What?””
“Were you working with my father?””
For the first time, he the Brooks Heritage Holdings records.””
“Who?””
“An administrator using credentials connected to your father's old estate.””
I looked at Leonard.
“Someone opened my father's archive.””
Marcus went silent.
Then he asked, “Who told you?””
“Leonard Cross.””
Another silence.
“Darius, don't go anywhere with that man.””
“Why?””
“Because I've been trying to reach you for twenty minutes. I found something in the original incorporation records.””
“What?””
“Leonard Cross's name.””
I looked at the man standing across from me.
His expression remained perfectly calm.
Marcus continued.
“He wasn't just connected to the security company. Seven years ago, he was listed as a consultant for the same investment group that handled your father's estate.””
I lowered the phone.
“Leonard.””
He looked at me.
“What?””
“Were you working with my father?””
For the first time, he hesitated.
“Briefly.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because it wasn't relevant to hesitated.
“Briefly.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because it wasn't relevant to tonight's situation.””
“Someone tonight's situation.””
“Someone is opening my dead father's safe, and you're telling me your relationship with him isn't relevant?””
Leonard put is opening my dead father's safe, and you're telling me your relationship with him isn't relevant?””
Leonard put his hands in his pockets.
“Your father paid me to protect his hands in his pockets.
“Your father paid me to protect something.””
“What?””
“An archive.””
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“What something.””
“What?””
“An archive.””
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“What was in it?””
Leonard looked at her.
“Financial records. Original contracts. Private correspondence.””
I was in it?””
Leonard looked at her.
“Financial records. Original contracts. Private correspondence.””
I turned toward him.
“And you knew about it all this time?””
“Yes.””
“Did my father tell you who would inherit it?””
Leonard didn't answer.
That was enough.
I ended the call.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“We're going to that building.””
Leonard shook his head.
“Not without me.””
I stepped closer.
“I'm not taking orders from you.””
“ turned toward him.
“And you knew about it all this time?””
“Yes.””
“Did my father tell you who would inherit it?””
Leonard didn't answer.
That was enough.
I ended the call.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“We're going to that building.””
Leonard shook his head.
“Not without me.””
I stepped closer.
“I'm not taking orders from you.””
“Then consider this a warning. Whoever opened that safe knows something valuable is inside. If you arrive without knowing what you're looking for, you'll make yourself an easy target.””
Vanessa picked up her handbag.
“Then we should leave now.””
The building stood between an abandoned printing warehouse and a renovated office complex.
It was nearly one in the morning.
Rain had stopped, but the pavement still glistened beneath the streetlights.
Leonard parked his SUV across the street.
I sat in the back with Vanessa.
Neither of us spoke.
Finally, she reached for my hand.
“Are you okay?””
I looked at her.
“I'm trying to understand how my father could have been involved in something like this.””
“Maybe he wasn't involved in what Camille did.””
“Then why did he leave those records?””
“Perhaps he was trying to stop it.””
I stared out the window.
That possibility frightened me more.
My father had trusted me with everything.
Except this.
Leonard turned around.
“When we go inside, nobody touches anything until I say so.””
I looked at him.
“You don't get to control what happens in my father's office.””
“Then don't come.””
I opened the door.
“Let's go.””
The building's entrance was secured by an electronic lock.
Leonard entered a code.
The door clicked.
We walked through a narrow lobby with dark marble floors and dusty glass partitions.
At the end of the corridor was a private elevator.
Leonard pressed the button.
“Your fatherThen consider this a warning. Whoever opened that safe knows something valuable is inside. If you arrive without knowing what you're looking for, you'll make yourself an easy target.””
Vanessa picked up her handbag.
“Then we should leave now.””
The building stood between an abandoned printing warehouse and a renovated office complex.
It was nearly one in the morning.
Rain had stopped, but the pavement still glistened beneath the streetlights.
Leonard parked his SUV across the street.
I sat in the back with Vanessa.
Neither of us spoke.
Finally, she reached for my hand.
“Are you okay?””
I looked at her.
“I'm trying to understand how my father could have been involved in something like this.””
“Maybe he wasn't involved in what Camille did.””
“Then why did he leave those records?””
“Perhaps he was trying to stop it.””
I stared out the window.
That possibility frightened me more.
My father had trusted me with everything.
Except this.
Leonard turned around.
“When we go inside, nobody touches anything until I say so.””
I looked at him.
“You don't get to control what happens in my father's office.””
“Then don't come.””
I opened the door.
“Let's go.””
The building's entrance was secured by an electronic lock.
Leonard entered a code.
The door clicked.
We walked through a narrow lobby with dark marble floors and dusty glass partitions.
At the end of the corridor was a private elevator.
Leonard pressed the button.
“Your father had an office on the sixth floor.””
The elevator doors opened.
We stepped inside.
Vanessa stood beside me, looking at the numbers above the door.
“Darius?””
“Yes?””
“If we find something that connects your father to mine, you need to promise me something.””
“What?””
“Don't protect anyone just because you loved them.””
I looked at her.
had an office on the sixth floor.””
The elevator doors opened.
We stepped inside.
Vanessa stood beside me, looking at the numbers above the door.
“Darius?””
“Yes?””
“If we find something that connects your father to mine, you need to promise me something.””
“What?””
“Don't protect anyone just because you loved them.””
I looked at her.
She lowered her eyes.
“I made that mistake with my father.””
Before I could ask what she meant, the elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
AShe lowered her eyes.
“I made that mistake with my father.””
Before I could ask what she meant, the elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
A long hallway stretched ahead.
At the far end was a wooden door with a brass nameplate long hallway stretched ahead.
At the far end was a wooden door with a brass nameplate.
*RICHARD BROOKS — PRIVATE OFFICE.*
My father's name.
I hadn't seen it in years.
I approached slowly.
The door was open.
Inside, everything looked almost exactly as I remembered from the photographs of.
*RICHARD BROOKS — PRIVATE OFFICE.*
My father's name.
I hadn't seen it in years.
I approached slowly.
The door was open.
Inside, everything looked almost exactly as I remembered from the photographs of his old workspace.
A large desk.
Two leather chairs.
Bookshelves.
A framed photograph of my father standing beside Arthur Whitaker.
But there was something wrong.
The desk drawers were open.
Paper covered the carpet.
A lamp his old workspace.
A large desk.
Two leather chairs.
Bookshelves.
A framed photograph of my father standing beside Arthur Whitaker.
But there was something wrong.
The desk drawers were open.
Paper covered the carpet.
A lamp had been knocked over.
And the safe behind the bookshelf was standing open.
I walked toward it.
“Whoever came here wasn't looking for money.””
Leonard examined had been knocked over.
And the safe behind the bookshelf was standing open.
I walked toward it.
“Whoever came here wasn't looking for money.””
Leonard examined the room.
“How can you tell?””
“The safe is still full of cash the room.
“How can you tell?””
“The safe is still full of cash.””
Inside were several bundles of old currency, a gold watch, and.””
Inside were several bundles of old currency, a gold watch, and a small velvet box.
But one shelf was empty.
Vanessa moved toward the desk.
She picked up a photograph.
It showed my father and another man standing beside a construction site.
I recognized the other man immediately.
Arthur Whitaker.
On the back, someone had written a a small velvet box.
But one shelf was empty.
Vanessa moved toward the desk.
She picked up a photograph.
It showed my father and another man standing beside a construction site.
I recognized the other man immediately.
Arthur Whitaker.
On the back, someone had written a date.
Seven years ago.
The same month my father died.
“Darius,” Vanessa whispered.
I walked over.
She pointed to something in the photograph.
My father was holding a folder.
Arthur was holding a small metal key.
I looked at Leonard.
date.
Seven years ago.
The same month my father died.
“Darius,” Vanessa whispered.
I walked over.
She pointed to something in the photograph.
My father was holding a folder.
Arthur was holding a small metal key.
I looked at Leonard.
“What's the key for?””
He studied the photograph.
“Possibly the second“What's the key for?””
He studied the photograph.
“Possibly the second compartment.””
I turned toward the safe.
“There's another compartment?””
Leonard knelt beside it and examined the compartment.””
I turned toward the safe.
“There's another compartment?””
Leonard knelt beside it and examined the lower panel.
He pressed two points along the metal frame.
A hidden drawer slid outward.
Inside was a small black recording device and a sealed envelope.
My name was written across the front.
*DARIUS. OPEN THIS WHEN YOU KNOW WHO TO TRUST.*
My hands began trembling.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
I sat in the leather chair.
For a moment, I couldn't open it.
Vanessa stood beside me.
“ lower panel.
He pressed two points along the metal frame.
A hidden drawer slid outward.
Inside was a small black recording device and a sealed envelope.
My name was written across the front.
*DARIUS. OPEN THIS WHEN YOU KNOW WHO TO TRUST.*
My hands began trembling.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
I sat in the leather chair.
For a moment, I couldn't open it.
Vanessa stood beside me.
“Do you want me to?””
I shook my head.
“No.””
I carefully broke the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
My son,
If you're reading this, then something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
*I madeDo you want me to?””
I shook my head.
“No.””
I carefully broke the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
My son,
If you're reading this, then something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
I made a mistake trusting the wrong people.
There is money missing from the company. More than anyone knows. I discovered that someone was using our investment structure to move funds into accounts that could not be traced.
I believed I a mistake trusting the wrong people.
There is money missing from the company. More than anyone knows. I discovered that someone was using our investment structure to move funds into accounts that could not be traced.
I believed I had identified the person responsible.
I was wrong.
I stopped reading.
My throat tightened.
Vanessa placed a hand on my shoulder.
I continued.
The first person I suspected was Arthur. But Arthur had identified the person responsible.
I was wrong.
I stopped reading.
My throat tightened.
Vanessa placed a hand on my shoulder.
I continued.
The first person I suspected was Arthur. But Arthur showed me records proving that he was also being deceived.
The second person was someone closer showed me records proving that he was also being deceived.
The second person was someone closer to home.
My eyes moved to the next line.
Someone who had access to my personal to home.
My eyes moved to the next line.
Someone who had access to my personal documents, my signature, and my family's private accounts.
I looked up.
Camille.
The name appeared in my mind before I even read the next sentence.
I was going to confront this person. But I documents, my signature, and my family's private accounts.
I looked up.
Camille.
The name appeared in my mind before I even read the next sentence.
I was going to confront this person. But I was warned that doing so would put you in danger.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
If anything happens to me, do not trust the financial records alone. Find was warned that doing so would put you in danger.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
If anything happens to me, do not trust the financial records alone. Find the original recording. It contains the truth about the final transfer.
At the bottom, my father had written:
And Darius, there is something I never told you about your mother.
I stopped breathing.
My mother the original recording. It contains the truth about the final transfer.*
At the bottom, my father had written:
And Darius, there is something I never told you about your mother.
I stopped breathing.
My mother had died when I was twelve.
I had spent most had died when I was twelve.
I had spent most of my adult life believing she had been killed in a car accident.
I looked at Leonard.
“What does he mean?””
Leonard's face had become unreadable.
Vanessa looked toward the of my adult life believing she had been killed in a car accident.
I looked at Leonard.
“What does he mean?””
Leonard's face had become unreadable.
Vanessa looked toward the letter.
“Darius, keep reading.””
I unfolded the final section.
Your mother did not die in the accident described in the official report.
The paper slipped slightly in my hand.
I read the sentence again.
Then again.
The room seemed to tilt.
“No,” I whispered.
Leonard moved closer.
“Mr. Brooks—”
I raised my hand.
“Don't.””
I continued.
I was told she had been involved in a collision outside Charlotte. I received a body identification report and signed the documents.
Years later, I discovered that the identification had been falsified.
My chest tightened.
I don't know where she is. I only know someone wanted her removed from our lives.
I looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at me.
My father had left one final paragraph.
*If you letter.
“Darius, keep reading.””
I unfolded the final section.
Your mother did not die in the accident described in the official report.
The paper slipped slightly in my hand.
I read the sentence again.
Then again.
The room seemed to tilt.
“No,” I whispered.
Leonard moved closer.
“Mr. Brooks—”
I raised my hand.
“Don't.””
I continued.
I was told she had been involved in a collision outside Charlotte. I received a body identification report and signed the documents.
Years later, I discovered that the identification had been falsified.
My chest tightened.
I don't know where she is. I only know someone wanted her removed from our lives.
I looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at me.
My father had left one final paragraph.
If you find the recording, listen carefully. The voice at the end belongs to the person who ordered everything.
I lowered the letter.
“Where is the recording?””
Leonard pointed to the black device.
I picked it up.
There was a small memory card inside.
I inserted it into my phone using an adapter from my brief find the recording, listen carefully. The voice at the end belongs to the person who ordered everything.*
I lowered the letter.
“Where is the recording?””
Leonard pointed to the black device.
I picked it up.
There was a small memory card inside.
I inserted it into my phone using an adapter from my briefcase.
A single audio file appeared.
Its date was seven years old.
I pressed play.
At first, there was static.
Then mycase.
A single audio file appeared.
Its date was seven years old.
I pressed play.
At first, there was static.
Then my father's voice.
“Arthur, I don't think we have much time.””
A second voice answered.
“We should have told Darius.””
My father sighed.
“He's not ready.””
Then another voice entered father's voice.
“Arthur, I don't think we have much time.””
A second voice answered.
“We should have told Darius.””
My father sighed.
“He's not ready.””
Then another voice entered the recording.
A woman's voice.
Calm.
Familiar.
“Richard, you promised me the money would be the recording.
A woman's voice.
Calm.
Familiar.
“Richard, you promised me the money would be transferred before Friday.””
My entire body went cold.
Vanessa looked at me.
“Do you recognize her transferred before Friday.””
My entire body went cold.
Vanessa looked at me.
“Do you recognize her?””
I nodded slowly.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it every morning for fifteen years.
The recording continued.
My?””
I nodded slowly.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it every morning for fifteen years.
The recording continued.
My father's voice became sharper.
“You're not getting another dollar.””
The woman laughed.
“Then perhaps you should consider what happens when your family finds out about your other father's voice became sharper.
“You're not getting another dollar.””
The woman laughed.
“Then perhaps you should consider what happens when your family finds out about your other arrangements.””
There was a pause.
Then my father said something I could barely understand.
“Camille, stay arrangements.””
There was a pause.
Then my father said something I could barely understand.
“Camille, stay away from my son.””
I stopped the recording.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Leonard closed his eyes.
And I sat there holding away from my son.””
I stopped the recording.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Leonard closed his eyes.
And I sat there holding a piece of evidence that changed everything I thought I knew about my family.
Camille hadn't simply a piece of evidence that changed everything I thought I knew about my family.
Camille hadn't simply discovered my father's secrets.
She had been involved before he died.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Marcus appeared.
* discovered my father's secrets.
She had been involved before he died.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Marcus appeared.
Darius, I found the original death certificate and an additional identity record. Your mother may still be alive.
ADarius, I found the original death certificate and an additional identity record. Your mother may still be alive.*
A second message followed.
And someone has just requested access to her protected identity file.
I stared at the screen.
Because second message followed.
And someone has just requested access to her protected identity file.
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Because the person who had requested access was listed as:
*CAMILLE BROOKS.*
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