Chapter 7: My Mother Wasn't There to Save Me
"Alicia!""
I shouted into the phone even though the call had already disconnected.
I called back.
Unavailable.
Again.
Unavailable.
Margaret stood across from me, her hands clasped tightly around her handbag. She looked frightened, but there was something else in her expression.
Recognition.
She knew exactly what had happened.
I lowered my phone.
"What did Alicia mean?""
Margaret swallowed.
"Daniel, you need to calm down.""
"Don't tell me to calm down.""
"Please.""
"She said you came here to collect me. What does that mean?""
Margaret looked toward the officers.
"Can we speak privately?""
"No.""
She flinched.
I stepped closer.
"You spent thirty-five years letting me believe you were dead. You allowed another man to raise me under a false identity. Now my wife is missing, someone is threatening my daughter, and you expect me to have a private conversation with you?""
Margaret began crying.
"I never wanted any of this.""
"Then explain it.""
She sat down.
For several seconds, she stared at the photograph of baby me.
Then she began.
"Richard and I were young when we met. He was ambitious, charming, and already working for a wealthy family in Georgia. My father owned several commercial properties, and Richard was managing some of his investments.""
"Your father was my grandfather?""
She nodded.
"His name was William Ellison. He had no sons, and when I became pregnant, he decided that everything would eventually belong to you.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because he believed Richard was dishonest. He wanted to protect his estate from him.""
She paused.
"When you were born, Richard demanded that I sign documents giving him control over your inheritance. I refused. Your grandfather supported me.""
"And then?""
"Then William died.""
Her voice dropped.
"Richard told me the estate had been frozen. He said the lawyers were investigating financial irregularities. But he was already moving money.""
I remembered the bank statements from the storage unit.
"Brooks Development.""
Margaret nodded.
"Richard used companies connected to your adoptive father to move the money. He planned to make himself wealthy before you became old enough to claim your inheritance.""
"Why did my adoptive father agree?""
"Because Richard promised him money. He was supposed to raise you, keep your identity hidden, and eventually sign away your inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Did he know he was stealing me from my mother?""
Margaret looked down.
"Yes.""
My hands curled into fists.
"And you did nothing?""
"I fought him. I went to court. I contacted lawyers.
But Richard had powerful friends. He produced documents claiming I was mentally unstable and financially irresponsible.""
"Those documents were fake?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you come to me when I was older?""
She looked at me.
"Because Richard threatened to have you killed if I ever tried.""
The room fell silent.
I looked at the woman who claimed to be my mother.
"How convenient.""
She covered her mouth.
"I know you don't believe me.""
"You're right.""
I stood.
"Where is Alicia?""
"I don't know.""
"Who was with her on the phone?""
Margaret hesitated.
"Probably Ethan.""
"Probably?""
"I haven't spoken to him in months.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone seems to know something, but nobody knows anything when I ask.""
Margaret reached into her handbag and removed another envelope.
"This is why I came.""
I didn't take it.
"What is it?""
"Your grandfather's original will.""
I looked at the document.
The seal was intact.
Margaret placed it on the table.
"Richard has spent thirty-five years trying to destroy this. The will states that you become the sole beneficiary when you turn thirty-five. The inheritance includes the properties, the investment accounts, and controlling shares in several companies.""
I glanced at the date.
My birthday had passed three years earlier.
"Then why hasn't anyone transferred the money?""
"Because Richard filed a claim saying you were not William Ellison's biological grandson.""
I frowned.
"But you just said—"
"Richard has another document. A different birth certificate. One claiming that Ethan was the biological child of William's daughter.""
I stared at her.
"Ethan?""
Margaret nodded.
"Richard wanted Ethan to inherit everything.""
I felt sick.
"So he raised me under a false identity, stole my mother's rights, and arranged for his son to take my inheritance?""
"Yes.""
"And Alicia discovered it?""
"She discovered the original records.""
I thought about the storage unit.
The photographs.
The financial statements.
The letter.
Then I remembered something.
"Why did Alicia think I was involved?""
Margaret closed her eyes.
"Because Richard showed her a recording.""
"What recording?""
"One in which your adoptive father said you knew about the financial transfers.""
I shook my head.
"I didn't.""
"I know.""
"Then why did she believe it?""
Margaret's voice broke.
"Because the recording was made in your office. Your voice was on it.""
I remembered a meeting three years earlier.
My father had asked me to sign several company documents. He said they were routine approvals for a new development.
I had signed without reading every page.
But a recording?
I had never discussed stolen money with anyone.
I turned toward Marcus.
"Can we get the original office recordings?""
Marcus nodded.
"I'll contact the security company.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
Your mother has told you enough. Bring the original will to the old courthouse by midnight. Come alone if you want Alicia alive.
I showed Margaret.
Her face drained of color.
"Don't go.""
"Why?""
"That's where Richard used to meet Ethan.""
I looked at the clock.
11:07 p.m.
Marcus shook his head.
"It's a trap.""
"Maybe.""
"Daniel, you have Lily to think about.""
"I know.""
I turned to the officers.
"I need protection for my daughter and Margaret. Nobody leaves them alone.""
Then I looked at Marcus.
"You're coming with me.""
He nodded.
Margaret suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Daniel, please. Don't trust Richard.""
I looked at her.
"I don't trust anyone anymore.""
I picked up the original will.
Then I walked toward the door.
The old courthouse stood in downtown Atlanta, its stone exterior illuminated by yellow streetlights.
It had been closed for renovations for months.
The parking lot was almost empty.
Marcus parked two blocks away.
"We should wait for backup," he said.
"We will.""
I called the detective handling Alicia's disappearance and sent him the message.
Then we waited.
At 11:48 p.m., a black sedan entered the parking lot.
The passenger door opened.
A man stepped out.
Richard Hayes.
He was older than I remembered, but he still carried himself with the same polished confidence. His silver hair was perfectly combed, and his expensive coat looked untouched by the rain.
He looked directly at me.
"Daniel.""
I stepped forward.
"Where is my wife?""
Richard smiled faintly.
"You've inherited your grandfather's temper.""
"Where is Alicia?""
"Alive.""
My chest tightened.
"Where?""
"That depends.""
He glanced at the envelope in my hand.
"Did Margaret give you the will?""
"Yes.""
"She shouldn't have.""
"Neither should you have stolen my life.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"I gave you a home.""
"You stole my mother.""
"I gave you an education, a business, and a family.""
"You lied to me.""
"I protected you.""
I laughed.
"From what? Your own crimes?""
Richard looked toward Marcus.
"You're bringing friends now?""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Answer his questions.""
Richard ignored him.
"Daniel, you need to understand something. Your grandfather's estate was built on dishonest money. I was the one who kept it from collapsing.""
"Then why did you steal eight million dollars?""
"Because I deserved compensation.""
"You forged my signature.""
"Your father signed those documents.""
"My adoptive father?""
Richard nodded.
"He understood the arrangement.""
"And Alicia?""
Richard's expression changed.
"She became a problem.""
I took a step forward.
"What did you do to her?""
"Nothing she didn't bring upon herself.""
I felt my hands shaking.
"She is my wife.""
Richard leaned closer.
"And that is precisely why you should have listened when I told you to stay away from her.""
A car engine started behind him.
I turned.
A black SUV was pulling into the parking lot.
The rear door opened.
And there she was.
Alicia.
Her wrists were tied.
Her face was bruised, and her hair hung loosely around her shoulders.
I moved instinctively.
"Alicia!""
Richard raised one hand.
Two men stepped out of the SUV.
One held a weapon.
"Don't," Richard said calmly.
Alicia looked at me.
"Daniel, don't give him the will!""
Richard laughed.
"Your wife still thinks she can save you.""
He reached into his coat and removed a small folder.
Then he held it up.
"Before you make any decisions, there's something else you should know.""
He opened the folder.
Inside was a photograph.
A young woman holding a newborn baby.
I recognized the woman.
Margaret.
But the baby wasn't me.
It was Lily.
Richard looked at me.
"Your daughter wasn't born by accident, Daniel.""
My heart stopped.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
He smiled.
May you like
"Ask Alicia who arranged her pregnancy records.""
And for the first time that night, my wife looked more frightened of me than she did of Richard.
