Chapter 8: The Betrayal That Came From Inside the Family
My father didn't move.
He stared at the document as if the name had physically struck him.
Terrence Brooks.
His younger brother.
My uncle.
The man who had attended my graduation, walked me down the aisle at my wedding rehearsal, and sent a silver baby bracelet when Amara was born.
The man who had stood beside my father during the early years of Brooks Hospitality.
I looked at my father.
"That can't be right.""
He said nothing.
David turned the document around.
"Marcus, these are preliminary transaction records. Terrence's office credentials appear in several authorization chains.""
My father slowly sat down.
"How long?""
David checked the dates.
"At least fourteen months.""
I shook my head.
"No. Uncle Terrence wouldn't do this.""
My father looked at me.
"People can surprise you, sweetheart.""
"But he loves you.""
My father gave a tired smile.
"I thought so, too.""
Across the lobby, Victoria was being questioned by an officer.
She had stopped smiling.
I looked at her.
"She knew.""
My father nodded.
"She may know more than she's telling us.""
David approached.
"Marcus, I recommend we avoid contacting Terrence directly until the records are secured.""
My father nodded.
"Agreed.""
Then he looked at me.
"Danielle, I want you and Amara somewhere safe tonight.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because if this involves family members and unauthorized transactions, we don't know how far the problem goes.""
I looked toward the glass doors.
"Are you saying someone might come after us?""
"I'm saying I won't take chances.""
Angela approached.
"We have a private residential suite available on the executive floor. It has a separate entrance and dedicated security.""
My father thanked her.
Then he turned toward the security supervisor.
"Two officers at the suite entrance. No visitors without Danielle's approval. And nobody shares her room number.""
The supervisor nodded.
I felt a strange mixture of gratitude and sadness.
I had come to Las Vegas expecting a quiet evening with my father.
Now my family seemed to be falling apart around me.
A few minutes later, David received another message.
He read it.
Then he approached my father.
"Marcus, Terrence is attempting to contact you.""
My father looked at the screen.
Three missed calls.
One message.
We need to talk. Don't let David poison you against your own brother.
My father stared at the words.
Then he called him.
The phone rang twice.
Terrence answered.
"Marcus.""
His voice was warm.
Almost cheerful.
"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you.""
My father looked at David.
"That's interesting. I've been looking for you, too.""
A pause.
"What's going on?""
My father asked:
"Did you authorize any transfers involving Brooks Hospitality?""
Terrence laughed.
"What kind of question is that?""
"A simple one.""
"Marcus, I'm your brother. Of course I haven't.""
"Did you provide Daniel Cross with access to internal documents?""
Another pause.
Then Terrence sighed.
"You're listening to rumors.""
"I'm looking at records.""
"Records can be manipulated.""
"Can your signature?""
Terrence became quiet.
Then he said:
"Meet me tomorrow morning. We can sort this out.""
My father looked at the clock.
"Why tomorrow?""
"Because you're tired, and you're not thinking clearly.""
My father's expression hardened.
"Don't tell me how to think.""
Terrence lowered his voice.
"Marcus, listen. I know what happened at the hotel. I know Danielle was involved in some kind of altercation. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment.""
I looked up.
How did he know about the slap?
My father noticed my expression.
"How did you hear about Danielle?""
Terrence hesitated.
"News travels.""
"Who told you?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
Terrence sighed.
"Marcus, you have a tendency to make everything a battle.""
My father ended the call.
I stared at him.
"He knew about me.""
My father nodded.
"And he knew before we told him.""
David stepped closer.
"That's concerning.""
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
My husband James was standing outside the airport terminal.
Beside him was a woman wearing a black coat.
Her face was partially turned away.
Beneath the photograph were six words:
Your husband isn't telling you everything.
I felt cold.
I showed my father.
He studied the image.
"Do you recognize her?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
David zoomed in.
The woman was holding a document envelope.
Then he noticed something else.
A small silver pin on her coat.
The logo of Brooks Hospitality.
"That's an employee badge," he said.
My father looked at him.
"Can you identify her?""
David shook his head.
"Not from this image.""
My father immediately called James.
This time, James answered.
"Marcus?""
"Who was the woman standing beside you at the airport?""
James went quiet.
Then he said:
"She works for Terrence.""
My father closed his eyes.
"Why was she with you?""
"She said she had documents concerning the hotel.""
"What documents?""
James took a breath.
"An original copy of the transfer agreement.""
David stepped closer.
"James, did you receive it?""
"Yes.""
"Where is it now?""
"I have it.""
My father looked at me.
"James, listen carefully. Do not give that document to anyone.""
"I won't.""
"Where are you?""
"At the airport.""
"Stay there. We're sending someone to meet you.""
James hesitated.
Then he said:
"Marcus, there's another reason I haven't told Danielle everything.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"James, I'm here. Tell me.""
He took a breath.
"Six months ago, when I discovered the first suspicious transaction, I confronted Terrence.""
My father went completely still.
James continued.
"He told me he was protecting your company. He said Daniel was planning to force you out, and he needed someone inside to monitor him.""
I looked at my father.
"Why would Uncle Terrence say that?""
James answered.
"Because he claimed Daniel was trying to take everything from him.""
My father shook his head.
"Terrence has no controlling ownership.""
"That's what I thought.""
James paused.
"Then he showed me a private agreement.""
David's face changed.
"What agreement?""
James answered.
"A document promising Terrence a controlling stake in Brooks Hospitality if Marcus became unable to serve as executive chairman.""
My father stood.
"Who signed it?""
James hesitated.
"Your mother.""
Silence.
My father looked as if he had been struck.
"My mother?""
"Yes.""
I stared at him.
Grandmother Brooks had died five years earlier.
She had helped my father establish his first business.
She had also believed fiercely in family loyalty.
My father slowly shook his head.
"That's impossible.""
James continued.
"That's what I told him. But the document had her signature.""
David looked at my father.
"Was there ever a succession agreement?""
"Not one that gave Terrence controlling ownership.""
My father turned away.
Then he asked James:
"Did you believe it?""
"I didn't know what to believe.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Terrence said the agreement was confidential. He threatened to accuse me of stealing company information if I went public.""
My father rubbed his forehead.
"James, you should have told me.""
"I know.""
I finally spoke.
"James, did you sign anything else?""
He went silent.
"James?""
Then he answered.
"Yes.""
My heart sank.
"What?""
"A temporary authorization. Terrence said it would allow me to review the financial records without triggering an internal alert.""
My father stared at the floor.
"Did you understand what it authorized?""
"No. Not completely.""
David immediately asked:
"Do you have a copy?""
"Yes.""
"Send it to your attorney. Do not alter it.""
James agreed.
Then he said:
"Danielle, I'm sorry. I thought I was protecting your family.""
I swallowed.
"You should have trusted us.""
"I know.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he added:
"There's something else. I found a second signature on the succession agreement.""
My father turned.
"Whose?""
James lowered his voice.
"Daniel Cross.""
David looked shocked.
My father stared at him.
"Why would Daniel sign a document promising Terrence control of my company?""
James answered:
"Because Terrence promised Daniel a position in the new management structure.""
My father looked toward the glass doors.
The truth was becoming clearer.
Daniel wanted control.
Terrence wanted ownership.
Victoria wanted money and protection.
Richard had helped conceal the operation.
And James had unknowingly become part of it.
But there was still one question.
Who had actually forged the documents?
David's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
Then slowly looked at my father.
"Marcus, the original succession agreement has been located.""
"Where?""
"In your mother's old estate archive.""
My father frowned.
"Who found it?""
David swallowed.
"Your brother.""
A moment later, a message appeared on the hotel's internal security screen.
*TERRANCE BROOKS HAS REQUESTED IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE EXECUTIVE FLOOR.*
My father looked toward the elevator.
Then he turned to me.
"Danielle, stay with Amara.""
I nodded.
The elevator doors opened.
Terrence stepped out.
He was wearing the same dark suit he had worn at my wedding.
He looked at my father.
Then at me.
And smiled.
"Marcus," he said.
"I see you've finally discovered the paperwork.""
My father stepped forward.
"Tell me the truth, Terrence.""
My uncle sighed.
"Which truth?""
My father stared at him.
"Did you forge our mother's signature?""
Terrence's smile disappeared.
Then he looked at me.
"Danielle, perhaps you should hear this from your father before you decide who the villain really is.""
My father took one step closer.
"Don't involve my daughter.""
Terrence raised both hands.
"Fine.""
Then he placed a sealed envelope on the reception counter.
"Open it, Marcus.""
My father didn't move.
Terrence smiled again.
"Go ahead. It contains the original document.""
David carefully picked up the envelope.
He examined the seal.
Then he opened it.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
The paper was yellowed with age.
At the bottom was my grandmother's signature.
My father stared at it.
And for the first time that night, he looked genuinely frightened.
May you like
Because the letter began with a sentence none of us expected:
To my eldest son, Marcus, if you ever discover what I did, know that I had my reasons.
