Chapter 6: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
I read the message three times.
My mother might still be alive.
And Camille had just requested access to her Dead
I read the message three times.
My mother might still be alive.
And Camille had just requested access to her protected identity file.
For seven years, I had visited a grave.
For seven years, I had placed flowers beside a head protected identity file.
For seven years, I had visited a grave.
For seven years, I had placed flowers beside a headstone bearing her name.
For seven years, I had believed I had lost both parents.
Now I was beginning to understand that onestone bearing her name.
For seven years, I had believed I had lost both parents.
Now I was beginning to understand that one of those deaths might have been a carefully constructed lie.
“Call Marcus,” I told Vanessa.
She immediately dialed his of those deaths might have been a carefully constructed lie.
“Call Marcus,” I told Vanessa.
She immediately dialed his number.
I walked toward the window.
Below us, Atlanta was almost completely silent.
A few cars moved through number.
I walked toward the window.
Below us, Atlanta was almost completely silent.
A few cars moved through the wet streets.
The city looked ordinary.
But nothing in my life was ordinary anymore.
Vanessa handed me the phone.
“Marcus the wet streets.
The city looked ordinary.
But nothing in my life was ordinary anymore.
Vanessa handed me the phone.
“Marcus is on.””
I pressed it against my ear.
“Tell me everything.””
Marcus sounded exhausted.
“Darius, I need you to listen is on.””
I pressed it against my ear.
“Tell me everything.””
Marcus sounded exhausted.
“Darius, I need you to listen without interrupting.””
“Go ahead.””
“I reviewed the original estate records. Your father's death certificate is legitimate. His death was recorded without interrupting.””
“Go ahead.””
“I reviewed the original estate records. Your father's death certificate is legitimate. His death was recorded properly.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then what about my mother?””
“Her death certificate is another matter.””
properly.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then what about my mother?””
“Her death certificate is another matter.””
“What does that mean?””
“The accident report identifies a woman recovered from a vehicle as Eleanor Brooks. But the medical identification record contains“What does that mean?””
“The accident report identifies a woman recovered from a vehicle as Eleanor Brooks. But the medical identification record contains an inconsistency.””
“What inconsistency?””
“The dental records don't match.””
I gripped the window frame an inconsistency.””
“What inconsistency?””
“The dental records don't match.””
I gripped the window frame.
“Are you telling me they buried someone else?””
“I'm telling you the official identification is questionable.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She was listening.
“Are you telling me they buried someone else?””
“I'm telling you the official identification is questionable.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She was listening carefully.
Marcus continued.
“There was also a sealed identity protection request filed shortly after your father's death. It was carefully.
Marcus continued.
“There was also a sealed identity protection request filed shortly after your father's death. It was approved under unusual circumstances.””
“Who filed it?””
“I can't establish that yet.””
“Then how did Camille approved under unusual circumstances.””
“Who filed it?””
“I can't establish that yet.””
“Then how did Camille get involved?””
“That is the part I find most disturbing.””
He paused.
“The request was accessed three times over the past seven get involved?””
“That is the part I find most disturbing.””
He paused.
“The request was accessed three times over the past seven years. Each access originated from a private legal office connected to your wife.””
My jaw tightened.
“Camille knew.””
“I years. Each access originated from a private legal office connected to your wife.””
My jaw tightened.
“Camille knew.””
“I believe she knew something.””
“Something? Marcus, she requested the file tonight!””
“I know believe she knew something.””
“Something? Marcus, she requested the file tonight!””
“I know. And that tells me she's trying to locate someone.””
I stared at the recording device in my hand.
“. And that tells me she's trying to locate someone.””
I stared at the recording device in my hand.
“Can you find my mother?””
“Possibly. But I need time.””
“How much?””
“Darius, I can't promise anythingCan you find my mother?””
“Possibly. But I need time.””
“How much?””
“Darius, I can't promise anything.””
I lowered my voice.
“Marcus, if my mother is alive, I want to speak to her.””
“I understand.””
“No. You don't.””
I lowered my voice.
“Marcus, if my mother is alive, I want to speak to her.””
“I understand.””
“No. You don't. I spent seven years believing she was dead.””
Marcus was quiet.
Then he said, “There's one more thing.””
“What?””
“The identity protection file has. I spent seven years believing she was dead.””
Marcus was quiet.
Then he said, “There's one more thing.””
“What?””
“The identity protection file has a beneficiary address. It's been updated recently.””
My heart began racing.
“Where?””
“North a beneficiary address. It's been updated recently.””
My heart began racing.
“Where?””
“North Carolina.””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Charlotte?””
Marcus heard her.
“Yes. Outside Charlotte.””
I looked at Vanessa.
Her Carolina.””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Charlotte?””
Marcus heard her.
“Yes. Outside Charlotte.””
I looked at Vanessa.
Her face had gone pale.
“My father grew up near Charlotte,” she whispered.
I returned to the call.
“Send face had gone pale.
“My father grew up near Charlotte,” she whispered.
I returned to the call.
“Send me the address.””
“I will. But don't go there alone.””
The call ended.
Leonard was standing near the office door.
I looked me the address.””
“I will. But don't go there alone.””
The call ended.
Leonard was standing near the office door.
I looked at him.
“Did you know my father believed my mother was alive?””
“No.””
“Did you know Camille at him.
“Did you know my father believed my mother was alive?””
“No.””
“Did you know Camille was connected to his death?””
Leonard took a moment before answering.
“I knew there was an investigation. I didn't know the full story.””
“ was connected to his death?””
Leonard took a moment before answering.
“I knew there was an investigation. I didn't know the full story.””
“That's convenient.””
“I was hired to protect the archive, not investigate your family.””
“You were also hired to kill VanessaThat's convenient.””
“I was hired to protect the archive, not investigate your family.””
“You were also hired to kill Vanessa.””
His expression tightened.
“I was hired to conduct an operation under false pretenses.””
“You knew what.””
His expression tightened.
“I was hired to conduct an operation under false pretenses.””
“You knew what the operation involved.””
“Yes.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Then why are you helping the operation involved.””
“Yes.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Then why are you helping us now?””
Leonard looked at her.
“Because the information I was given was incomplete. And because I don't appreciate being used as a disposable us now?””
Leonard looked at her.
“Because the information I was given was incomplete. And because I don't appreciate being used as a disposable part of someone else's financial scheme.””
I laughed without humor.
“So now you have principles?””
He didn't respond.
I part of someone else's financial scheme.””
I laughed without humor.
“So now you have principles?””
He didn't respond.
I approached him.
“Tell me what Camille paid you.””
“Enough to make the assignment attractive.””
“How approached him.
“Tell me what Camille paid you.””
“Enough to make the assignment attractive.””
“How much?””
“Four hundred thousand dollars, with additional compensation after completion.””
Vanessa looked disgust much?””
“Four hundred thousand dollars, with additional compensation after completion.””
Vanessa looked disgusted.
“Four hundred thousand dollars to kill me?””
Leonard lowered his eyes.
“The money was intended for a team. Not justed.
“Four hundred thousand dollars to kill me?””
Leonard lowered his eyes.
“The money was intended for a team. Not just me.””
I stared at him.
“And the men who came to my house?””
“They were told the target was dangerous me.””
I stared at him.
“And the men who came to my house?””
“They were told the target was dangerous and that the husband might interfere.””
I shook my head.
“You made it sound like a business transaction.””
“That is how she and that the husband might interfere.””
I shook my head.
“You made it sound like a business transaction.””
“That is how she presented it.””
I looked toward the open safe.
“Then here's a business transaction for you. Help us find out presented it.””
I looked toward the open safe.
“Then here's a business transaction for you. Help us find out what happened to my mother. Give Marcus every record you have.
And tell us who what happened to my mother. Give Marcus every record you have. And tell us who else is involved.””
Leonard studied me.
“And if I refuse?””
I held his gaze.
“Then I'll make sure every else is involved.””
Leonard studied me.
“And if I refuse?””
I held his gaze.
“Then I'll make sure every authority investigating this case receives your name.””
He considered that.
Then he nodded.
“Agreed.””
At authority investigating this case receives your name.””
He considered that.
Then he nodded.
“Agreed.””
At 2:40 a.m., we left the building.
Leonard's men remained behind to secure the archive.
2:40 a.m., we left the building.
Leonard's men remained behind to secure the archive.
Vanessa and I drove in my car.
The address Marcus sent was inVanessa and I drove in my car.
The address Marcus sent was in a small residential community outside Charlotte.
It was nearly four hours away.
I had no intention of waiting until morning.
But before we a small residential community outside Charlotte.
It was nearly four hours away.
I had no intention of waiting until morning.
But before we reached the highway, Vanessa asked me to pull over.
I parked beneath a streetlight.
She stared through the windshield.
“Darius, there's something I need to tell you.””
I reached the highway, Vanessa asked me to pull over.
I parked beneath a streetlight.
She stared through the windshield.
“Darius, there's something I need to tell you.””
I turned toward her.
“What?””
“My father didn't just know Richard Brooks.””
I waited.
“He and your father were partners in a private turned toward her.
“What?””
“My father didn't just know Richard Brooks.””
I waited.
“He and your father were partners in a private medical investment company.””
I frowned.
“What kind of company?””
“They were funding research into early disease detection. The project was supposed to become medical investment company.””
I frowned.
“What kind of company?””
“They were funding research into early disease detection. The project was supposed to become a national program.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because the project collapsed after both men died.””
I a national program.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because the project collapsed after both men died.””
I looked at her.
“Both men?””
“My father died two years after yours. Officially, it was a sudden cardiac event.””
I stared looked at her.
“Both men?””
“My father died two years after yours. Officially, it was a sudden cardiac event.””
I stared at her.
“Are you suggesting someone killed him?””
She shook her head.
“I at her.
“Are you suggesting someone killed him?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know. But before he died, he told me something strange.””
“What?””
“He said if anyone ever came asking about the Brooks family, I should never give them access to his personal records.””
I looked toward the road.
“And you think Camille was involved?””
“I think someone was trying to make sure the project never don't know. But before he died, he told me something strange.””
“What?””
“He said if anyone ever came asking about the Brooks family, I should never give them access to his personal records.””
I looked toward the road.
“And you think Camille was involved?””
“I think someone was trying to make sure the project never became public.””
I leaned back.
“Then why did you get involved?””
Vanessa reached into her handbag.
She removed a small envelope.
“I found became public.””
I leaned back.
“Then why did you get involved?””
Vanessa reached into her handbag.
She removed a small envelope.
“I found this in my father's desk.””
She handed it to me.
Inside was a photograph of two men standing beside a younger woman.
One this in my father's desk.””
She handed it to me.
Inside was a photograph of two men standing beside a younger woman.
One was my father.
The other was Arthur Whitaker.
The woman stood between them.
I stared at her face.
Then my breath caught.
She looked was my father.
The other was Arthur Whitaker.
The woman stood between them.
I stared at her face.
Then my breath caught.
She looked exactly like my mother.
Vanessa pointed to the back.
There was a handwritten note.
*Eleanor, Richard, Arthur. The three people exactly like my mother.
Vanessa pointed to the back.
There was a handwritten note.
Eleanor, Richard, Arthur. The three people who know where the money went.
I looked at Vanessa.
“My mother knew Arthur?””
“Yes.””
“And you who know where the money went.*
I looked at Vanessa.
“My mother knew Arthur?””
“Yes.””
“And you knew this before tonight?””
“I found the photograph three weeks ago. I didn't know what it meant.””
I put knew this before tonight?””
“I found the photograph three weeks ago. I didn't know what it meant.””
I put the photograph down.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of me?””
“Of what you might the photograph down.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of me?””
“Of what you might be connected to.””
The honesty hurt.
But I understood.
She had been investigating a mystery involving my family while sleeping beside be connected to.””
The honesty hurt.
But I understood.
She had been investigating a mystery involving my family while sleeping beside a man who had lied to her about his marriage and his money.
Trust wasn't something I could demand.
I could only try to earn it.
I placed the a man who had lied to her about his marriage and his money.
Trust wasn't something I could demand.
I could only try to earn it.
I placed the photograph back inside the envelope.
“Let's find my mother.””
We reached Charlotte shortly after sunrise.
The address led to a modest photograph back inside the envelope.
“Let's find my mother.””
We reached Charlotte shortly after sunrise.
The address led to a modest brick house on a quiet residential street.
There were flowerpots beside the front steps.
A wind chime moved brick house on a quiet residential street.
There were flowerpots beside the front steps.
A wind chime moved gently beneath the porch roof.
A silver sedan sat in the driveway.
I stood outside the front door, gently beneath the porch roof.
A silver sedan sat in the driveway.
I stood outside the front door, unable to knock.
Vanessa came beside me.
“Are you ready?””
“No.””
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
I unable to knock.
Vanessa came beside me.
“Are you ready?””
“No.””
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
I knocked.
Nothing.
I knocked again.
A curtain moved inside.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood in the knocked.
Nothing.
I knocked again.
A curtain moved inside.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood in the doorway.
Her hair was shorter than I remembered.
There were more lines around her eyes.
But I knew that face.
I knew doorway.
Her hair was shorter than I remembered.
There were more lines around her eyes.
But I knew that face.
I knew the shape of her smile.
I knew the small scar near her chin from the time she had fallen while the shape of her smile.
I knew the small scar near her chin from the time she had fallen while carrying me through our old kitchen.
My knees nearly gave way.
“Mom?””
The woman stared at me.
Her carrying me through our old kitchen.
My knees nearly gave way.
“Mom?””
The woman stared at me.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
“Darius?””
I couldn't speak.
She stepped forward.
Then she wrapped her arms around me hand flew to her mouth.
“Darius?””
I couldn't speak.
She stepped forward.
Then she wrapped her arms around me.
I held her as tightly as I could.
For several seconds, neither of us said anything.
Then she pulled back.
She.
I held her as tightly as I could.
For several seconds, neither of us said anything.
Then she pulled back.
She touched my face.
“Oh, my baby.””
I began crying.
Not quietly.
Not politely.
Seven years of grief touched my face.
“Oh, my baby.””
I began crying.
Not quietly.
Not politely.
Seven years of grief came out all at once.
“I thought you were dead.””
She closed her eyes.
“I know.””
“Why?””
She looked over my shoulder.
Her came out all at once.
“I thought you were dead.””
She closed her eyes.
“I know.””
“Why?””
She looked over my shoulder.
Her eyes landed on Vanessa.
Then she looked down the street.
“Come inside.””
Her name was Eleanor Brooks.
She made coffee eyes landed on Vanessa.
Then she looked down the street.
“Come inside.””
Her name was Eleanor Brooks.
She made coffee while I sat at the kitchen table.
Vanessa sat beside me.
Eleanor kept looking at me as if she was while I sat at the kitchen table.
Vanessa sat beside me.
Eleanor kept looking at me as if she was afraid I might disappear if she looked away too long.
Finally, she sat opposite us.
“Your father tried to protect you afraid I might disappear if she looked away too long.
Finally, she sat opposite us.
“Your father tried to protect you.””
I wiped my eyes.
“By telling everyone you were dead?””
She lowered her head.
“He thought it was the only way.””
“What.””
I wiped my eyes.
“By telling everyone you were dead?””
She lowered her head.
“He thought it was the only way.””
“What happened?””
She took a deep breath.
“Your father discovered that money from his investment company was being transferred into accounts controlled by someone happened?””
She took a deep breath.
“Your father discovered that money from his investment company was being transferred into accounts controlled by someone he trusted.””
“Camille?””
Eleanor looked surprised.
“You know about Camille?””
“Yes.””
She closed he trusted.””
“Camille?””
Eleanor looked surprised.
“You know about Camille?””
“Yes.””
She closed her eyes.
“Then you've discovered more than I wanted you to.””
“Mom, tell me everything.””
She her eyes.
“Then you've discovered more than I wanted you to.””
“Mom, tell me everything.””
She looked at Vanessa.
Then she reached for a small box on the counter.
Inside were several photographs and a folded letter.
She placed looked at Vanessa.
Then she reached for a small box on the counter.
Inside were several photographs and a folded letter.
She placed them in front of me.
“Your father and Arthur discovered the theft. But the person responsible had already gained access to the company them in front of me.
“Your father and Arthur discovered the theft. But the person responsible had already gained access to the company records.””
“Who?””
Eleanor didn't answer.
Instead, she pointed to a photograph.
It showed my father, records.””
“Who?””
Eleanor didn't answer.
Instead, she pointed to a photograph.
It showed my father, Arthur Whitaker, and a third man.
I recognized the third man from Leonard's documents.
Leonard Cross.
My mother continued.
“Leonard was hired to protect the records Arthur Whitaker, and a third man.
I recognized the third man from Leonard's documents.
Leonard Cross.
My mother continued.
“Leonard was hired to protect the records. But someone inside the company was paying him to report everything your father did.””
I felt sick.
“Who was paying him?””
Eleanor looked directly at me.
“Your. But someone inside the company was paying him to report everything your father did.””
I felt sick.
“Who was paying him?””
Eleanor looked directly at me.
“Your father suspected Camille.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't he tell me?””
“Because he believed she was only the messenger.””
“Then who was behind her?””
My mother opened the folded father suspected Camille.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't he tell me?””
“Because he believed she was only the messenger.””
“Then who was behind her?””
My mother opened the folded letter.
She looked at the handwriting for a long moment.
Then she pushed it toward me.
“Read letter.
She looked at the handwriting for a long moment.
Then she pushed it toward me.
“Read the name.””
I looked down.
The letter was dated seven years earlier.
At the bottom was a signature.
*RICHARD BROOKS.*
But the letter the name.””
I looked down.
The letter was dated seven years earlier.
At the bottom was a signature.
*RICHARD BROOKS.*
But the letter wasn't addressed to me.
It was addressed to Camille.
And the final sentence read:
If anything happens to Eleanor, you must make sure Darius never learns that he was adopted.
I looked wasn't addressed to me.
It was addressed to Camille.
And the final sentence read:
If anything happens to Eleanor, you must make sure Darius never learns that he was adopted.
I looked up.
The room went completely silent.
“What?””
My mother covered her mouth.
Vanessa stared at me.
I read the sentence again.
Then I looked at Eleanor.
up.
The room went completely silent.
“What?””
My mother covered her mouth.
Vanessa stared at me.
I read the sentence again.
Then I looked at Eleanor.
“Mom?””
She began crying.
I pushed the letter away.
“Tell me this isn't true.””
She reached across the table.
“Darius,“Mom?””
She began crying.
I pushed the letter away.
“Tell me this isn't true.””
She reached across the table.
“Darius, listen to me.””
I stood.
“No. No, I need you to tell me what this means.””
She took a listen to me.””
I stood.
“No. No, I need you to tell me what this means.””
She took a trembling breath.
“Your father and I loved you more than anything.””
“That's not an answer!””
She flinched.
Then trembling breath.
“Your father and I loved you more than anything.””
“That's not an answer!””
She flinched.
Then she said the words that shattered everything I thought I knew about my childhood.
“You were born to another woman.””
I she said the words that shattered everything I thought I knew about my childhood.
“You were born to another woman.””
I couldn't move.
Eleanor continued through her tears.
“Your biological mother was a young woman named Grace couldn't move.
Eleanor continued through her tears.
“Your biological mother was a young woman named Grace. She died shortly after giving birth. Your father and I adopted you privately.””
I stared at her.
“Then why did Dad. She died shortly after giving birth. Your father and I adopted you privately.””
I stared at her.
“Then why did Dad say someone wanted you removed from our lives?””
She looked toward the window.
“Because Grace didn't die alone.””
My chest tightened.
“What are you saying?””
E say someone wanted you removed from our lives?””
She looked toward the window.
“Because Grace didn't die alone.””
My chest tightened.
“What are you saying?””
Eleanor leaned forward.
“Your biological father was alive when you were born.””
I stared at her.
“Who was he?””
She looked at Vanessa.
leanor leaned forward.
“Your biological father was alive when you were born.””
I stared at her.
“Who was he?””
She looked at Vanessa.
Then she looked back at me.
“Arthur Whitaker.””
Vanessa slowly stood.
Her face had lost all color.
“No,”Then she looked back at me.
“Arthur Whitaker.””
Vanessa slowly stood.
Her face had lost all color.
“No,” she whispered.
Eleanor nodded.
“I'm sorry.””
Vanessa looked at me.
I looked at her.
For a moment, neither of us understood what she whispered.
Eleanor nodded.
“I'm sorry.””
Vanessa looked at me.
I looked at her.
For a moment, neither of us understood what had just happened.
Then my mother spoke again.
“Darius, there is one more thing you need to know.””
Her voice trembled.
“Arthur wasn't just your biological father.””
She reached into had just happened.
Then my mother spoke again.
“Darius, there is one more thing you need to know.””
Her voice trembled.
“Arthur wasn't just your biological father.””
She reached into the box and removed another photograph.
It showed Arthur holding a newborn baby.
On the back was a date.
The same date as Vanessa the box and removed another photograph.
It showed Arthur holding a newborn baby.
On the back was a date.
The same date as Vanessa's birthday.
My mother looked at us.
“Arthur had two children.””
She pointed to Vanessa's birthday.
My mother looked at us.
“Arthur had two children.””
She pointed to Vanessa.
“Her.””
Then she pointed to me.
“And you.””
I stepped backward.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
The woman I had loved was not just connected to my family's darkest.
“Her.””
Then she pointed to me.
“And you.””
I stepped backward.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
The woman I had loved was not just connected to my family's darkest secret.
She was my biological sister.
And before either of us could speak, a car door slammed outside.
My mother looked secret.
She was my biological sister.
And before either of us could speak, a car door slammed outside.
My mother looked toward the front window.
Her face turned white.
“Darius,” she whispered.
“What's wrong?””
She grabbed toward the front window.
Her face turned white.
“Darius,” she whispered.
“What's wrong?””
She grabbed my wrist.
“Camille knows you're here.””
I looked through the curtains.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
The passenger door opened my wrist.
“Camille knows you're here.””
I looked through the curtains.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
The passenger door opened.
And the woman stepping out was holding a photograph of my mother.
It was Camille.
But.
And the woman stepping out was holding a photograph of my mother.
It was Camille.
But she wasn't alone.
Standing beside her was a man I had believed was dead for seven years.
My father.
Richard Brooks.
And he was walking she wasn't alone.
Standing beside her was a man I had believed was dead for seven years.
My father.
May you like
Richard Brooks.
And he was walking toward the front door. toward the front door.
Related Stories
