Chapter 9: The Last Witness
My father stopped with his hand suspended above the table.
For the first time in my life, I watched Charles Bennett become afraid of Denise.
Not angry.
Not impatient.
Afraid.
“Don't first time in my life, I watched Charles Bennett become afraid of Denise.
Not angry.
Not impatient.
Afraid.
“Don't you dare,” he whispered.
Denise's eyes were wet, but her voice grew stronger.
“You've spent six months telling me this would disappear. You said you dare,” he whispered.
Denise's eyes were wet, but her voice grew stronger.
“You've spent six months telling me this would disappear. You said the investigator would close the case. You said Michael would stay silent. You said Naomi would accept the estate arrangements and move on.””
She the investigator would close the case. You said Michael would stay silent. You said Naomi would accept the estate arrangements and move on.””
She looked at me.
“And now your daughter is standing here with the original agreement.””
I held Gabriel close to my looked at me.
“And now your daughter is standing here with the original agreement.””
I held Gabriel close to my chest.
“What happened to Lucas?””
Denise shook her head.
“I can't tell you everything.””
“Why not?””
“Because I wasn't there for the entire conversation.””
“But you know something.””
She looked at Charles.
He shook his head once.
It was a small movement, almost imperceptible.
A warning.
Denise ignored it.
“Lucas called me that night,” chest.
“What happened to Lucas?””
Denise shook her head.
“I can't tell you everything.””
“Why not?””
“Because I wasn't there for the entire conversation.””
“But you know something.””
She looked at Charles.
He shook his head once.
It was a small movement, almost imperceptible.
A warning.
Denise ignored it.
“Lucas called me that night,” she said.
“He told me he had found the original financial records. He said he was going to give them to the authorities unless she said.
“He told me he had found the original financial records. He said he was going to give them to the authorities unless the missing money was returned.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Why would he call you?””
“Because the company was mine. I had been using it to move money between accounts the missing money was returned.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Why would he call you?””
“Because the company was mine. I had been using it to move money between accounts, and Charles had been helping me conceal the transfers.””
My father stepped forward.
“That's enough.””
“No,” Denise snapped, and Charles had been helping me conceal the transfers.””
My father stepped forward.
“That's enough.””
“No,” Denise snapped.
“You don't get to silence me anymore.””
She turned back to me.
“Lucas believed he.
“You don't get to silence me anymore.””
She turned back to me.
“Lucas believed he could recover the money and protect you at the same time. He thought Charles would eventually cooperate if he realized could recover the money and protect you at the same time. He thought Charles would eventually cooperate if he realized there was no way out.””
“And did he?””
“No. Charles demanded that Lucas destroy the records. Lucas refused.””
I there was no way out.””
“And did he?””
“No. Charles demanded that Lucas destroy the records. Lucas refused.””
I looked at my father.
“Did you threaten him?””
Charles's jaw tightened.
“I was trying to prevent a disaster.””
“Did looked at my father.
“Did you threaten him?””
Charles's jaw tightened.
“I was trying to prevent a disaster.””
“Did you threaten my husband?””
He looked at the floor.
That was the only answer I needed.
Denise you threaten my husband?””
He looked at the floor.
That was the only answer I needed.
Denise wiped her face.
“I arrived at the office shortly after their meeting began. Charles had asked me to wiped her face.
“I arrived at the office shortly after their meeting began. Charles had asked me to come because he believed I could persuade Lucas to keep the matter private.””
“You were there when they argued?””
“Yes.””
“What come because he believed I could persuade Lucas to keep the matter private.””
“You were there when they argued?””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
She swallowed.
“Lucas was standing beside the desk with the financial records. Charles was shouting. They were arguing about the money and the company. Then Lucas clutched his chest.””
The happened?””
She swallowed.
“Lucas was standing beside the desk with the financial records. Charles was shouting. They were arguing about the money and the company. Then Lucas clutched his chest.””
The room seemed to tilt.
I could barely hear my own voice.
“His heart?””
“He looked as though he couldn't breathe. He reached room seemed to tilt.
I could barely hear my own voice.
“His heart?””
“He looked as though he couldn't breathe. He reached for the edge of the desk and collapsed.””
I gripped Gabriel's blanket.
“What did you do?””
“I for the edge of the desk and collapsed.””
I gripped Gabriel's blanket.
“What did you do?””
“I called for help.””
“Did you call an ambulance?””
Denise's face crumpled.
“Charles told me not to.””
My father moved toward called for help.””
“Did you call an ambulance?””
Denise's face crumpled.
“Charles told me not to.””
My father moved toward her.
“Stop talking.””
She stepped away from him.
“He said Lucas was already dead. He said the her.
“Stop talking.””
She stepped away from him.
“He said Lucas was already dead. He said the medical examiner would determine what happened. He told me that if the financial records were discovered, everyone would be ruined.””
I stared at medical examiner would determine what happened. He told me that if the financial records were discovered, everyone would be ruined.””
I stared at her.
“You knew he was alive?””
Denise shook her head frantically.
“I don't know. I don't know whether he was alive when her.
“You knew he was alive?””
Denise shook her head frantically.
“I don't know. I don't know whether he was alive when Charles told me not to call. I couldn't find a pulse, but I wasn't trained to check Charles told me not to call.
I couldn't find a pulse, but I wasn't trained to check properly. I was terrified.””
“And you listened to him?””
“Yes.””
The word came out as a sob.
“I listened properly. I was terrified.””
“And you listened to him?””
“Yes.””
The word came out as a sob.
“I listened to him.””
My father looked at me.
“Naomi, you need to understand—”
“No.””
My to him.””
My father looked at me.
“Naomi, you need to understand—”
“No.””
My voice rang through the cottage.
“You don't get to explain this away.””
He fell silent.
I had spent years trying to understand my father's anger. I had told myself that his voice rang through the cottage.
“You don't get to explain this away.””
He fell silent.
I had spent years trying to understand my father's anger. I had told myself that his childhood had been difficult, that his business had been demanding, that grief made people behave in ways they couldn't control.
But Lucas had collapsed on childhood had been difficult, that his business had been demanding, that grief made people behave in ways they couldn't control.
But Lucas had collapsed on a floor while my father and Denise stood beside him.
And instead of calling for help, they had worried about the money.
I looked a floor while my father and Denise stood beside him.
And instead of calling for help, they had worried about the money.
I looked at Denise.
“Did you call emergency services?””
She shook her head.
“Charles called later. He said we needed to make at Denise.
“Did you call emergency services?””
She shook her head.
“Charles called later. He said we needed to make sure the situation was handled properly. By the time the paramedics arrived, Lucas was gone.””
“Did you tell the police you sure the situation was handled properly. By the time the paramedics arrived, Lucas was gone.””
“Did you tell the police you had been there?””
“No.””
“Did you tell the investigator?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because Charles said he had been there?””
“No.””
“Did you tell the investigator?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because Charles said he would blame everything on me. He said I had authorized the transfers, that I had manipulated the accounts, and that I would go to prison.””
She would blame everything on me. He said I had authorized the transfers, that I had manipulated the accounts, and that I would go to prison.””
She looked down.
“I was afraid.””
I laughed once, a sound that didn't feel like laughter.
“You were afraid, looked down.
“I was afraid.””
I laughed once, a sound that didn't feel like laughter.
“You were afraid, so you let my husband die without telling the truth.””
Denise covered her face.
“I know.””
“No, you don't.””
My so you let my husband die without telling the truth.””
Denise covered her face.
“I know.””
“No, you don't.””
My hands shook.
“You watched me bury him. You watched me stand at his grave with his hands shook.
“You watched me bury him. You watched me stand at his grave with his child inside me. You watched my father throw me out of the house he left us, and you said nothing.””
“I was trying to survive.””
“So was I.””
The child inside me. You watched my father throw me out of the house he left us, and you said nothing.””
“I was trying to survive.””
“So was I.””
The words hung between us.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Samantha stepped forward.
“Denise, what you're words hung between us.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Samantha stepped forward.
“Denise, what you're describing may be relevant to a criminal investigation. You should not destroy any evidence or discuss this further without legal counsel describing may be relevant to a criminal investigation. You should not destroy any evidence or discuss this further without legal counsel. We need to contact the authorities immediately.””
Charles suddenly laughed.
It was a cold, ugly sound.
“You think. We need to contact the authorities immediately.””
Charles suddenly laughed.
It was a cold, ugly sound.
“You think her confession changes anything? She has no proof. She was involved in the transactions. She signed the documents.
She helped establish her confession changes anything? She has no proof. She was involved in the transactions.
She signed the documents. She helped establish Northstar.””
Denise turned toward him.
“Because you told me it was legal!””
“You knew where the money was going Northstar.””
Denise turned toward him.
“Because you told me it was legal!””
“You knew where the money was going.””
“You told me it would be returned!””
“And you believed me because you wanted the company!””
They stared at each other.
For the first.””
“You told me it would be returned!””
“And you believed me because you wanted the company!””
They stared at each other.
For the first time, I saw the foundation of their relationship.
It wasn't love.
It was a bargain between two people who believed they could use each other without ever paying the price.
S time, I saw the foundation of their relationship.
It wasn't love.
It was a bargain between two people who believed they could use each other without ever paying the price.
Samantha quietly moved the documents away from the table.
“I am contacting the police now.””
Charles pointed at her.
“You will do no such thing.””
She didn't even look atamantha quietly moved the documents away from the table.
“I am contacting the police now.””
Charles pointed at her.
“You will do no such thing.””
She didn't even look at him.
“I'm already doing it.””
He turned toward me.
“Naomi, listen to me. I am your father.””
I looked at the him.
“I'm already doing it.””
He turned toward me.
“Naomi, listen to me. I am your father.””
I looked at the man who had taught me to ride a bicycle, who had stood beside me at my wedding, who had held my hand when I was a child afraid man who had taught me to ride a bicycle, who had stood beside me at my wedding, who had held my hand when I was a child afraid of thunderstorms.
Then I looked at Gabriel.
My son would never grow up believing that family of thunderstorms.
Then I looked at Gabriel.
My son would never grow up believing that family gave someone the right to threaten, deceive, or control him.
“Being my father doesn't make you innocent,” I said.
Charles's gave someone the right to threaten, deceive, or control him.
“Being my father doesn't make you innocent,” I said.
Charles's expression crumpled for an instant.
Then his face hardened again.
“You're making a terrible mistake.””
“No. I expression crumpled for an instant.
Then his face hardened again.
“You're making a terrible mistake.””
“No. I made a mistake when I believed that loving you meant keeping your secrets.””
Outside, a siren sounded made a mistake when I believed that loving you meant keeping your secrets.””
Outside, a siren sounded in the distance.
Samantha had contacted the local police and requested that officers meet us at the cottage. She also informed them that we had recovered original documents connected to a disputed financial transaction and that in the distance.
Samantha had contacted the local police and requested that officers meet us at the cottage. She also informed them that we had recovered original documents connected to a disputed financial transaction and that Denise had made statements concerning the circumstances of Lucas's death.
Charles looked toward the door.
For a moment, I thought he might try to leave.
Instead, he turned to Denise.
“You said you had the recording.””
She went pale.
Denise had made statements concerning the circumstances of Lucas's death.
Charles looked toward the door.
For a moment, I thought he might try to leave.
Instead, he turned to Denise.
“You said you had the recording.””
She went pale.
I stared at her.
“What recording?””
Charles's eyes flashed toward me.
“Nothing.””
Denise looked at the floor.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small silver flash drive.
“II stared at her.
“What recording?””
Charles's eyes flashed toward me.
“Nothing.””
Denise looked at the floor.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small silver flash drive.
“I kept a copy,” she whispered.
My heart began to pound.
“Of what?””
“The audio from the office that night. Charles believed kept a copy,” she whispered.
My heart began to pound.
“Of what?””
“The audio from the office that night. Charles believed it had been deleted from the security system, but the recording had already been copied to a backup device.””
She it had been deleted from the security system, but the recording had already been copied to a backup device.””
She placed the flash drive on the table.
“I kept it because I knew that one day he placed the flash drive on the table.
“I kept it because I knew that one day he might try to blame everything on me.””
Charles stared at her in disbelief.
“You kept that?””
“Yes.””
“After everything I might try to blame everything on me.””
Charles stared at her in disbelief.
“You kept that?””
“Yes.””
“After everything I did for you?””
Denise let out a bitter laugh.
“Everything you did for me? You used my company to move money, did for you?””
Denise let out a bitter laugh.
“Everything you did for me? You used my company to move money, put my name on transactions, and told me I would be protected as long as I stayed quiet.””
“You agreed to the arrangement.””
“I agreed to a business arrangement. I didn't agree put my name on transactions, and told me I would be protected as long as I stayed quiet.””
“You agreed to the arrangement.””
“I agreed to a business arrangement. I didn't agree to let Lucas die.””
Charles took a step toward her.
The security officer moved between them.
“Sir, stay where you are.””
Charles stopped to let Lucas die.””
Charles took a step toward her.
The security officer moved between them.
“Sir, stay where you are.””
Charles stopped.
I looked at the flash drive.
“Does it show what happened after Lucas collapsed?””
Denise nodded.
“It records the entire room.””
“Then we need to hear it.””
Samantha shook.
I looked at the flash drive.
“Does it show what happened after Lucas collapsed?””
Denise nodded.
“It records the entire room.””
“Then we need to hear it.””
Samantha shook her head.
“Not here, and not without preserving the original properly. We need investigators to take custody of it and establish that the recording hasn't been altered.””
I wanted to argue.
I wanted to hear Lucas her head.
“Not here, and not without preserving the original properly. We need investigators to take custody of it and establish that the recording hasn't been altered.””
I wanted to argue.
I wanted to hear Lucas's voice again, to know exactly what had happened during the final minutes of his life.
But Samantha was right.
If the recording was real, it could be the most important piece's voice again, to know exactly what had happened during the final minutes of his life.
But Samantha was right.
If the recording was real, it could be the most important piece of evidence we had.
We couldn't risk damaging it.
The police arrived ten minutes later.
Two officers entered the cottage, followed by a detective from the county investigation unit. Samantha explained the discovery of evidence we had.
We couldn't risk damaging it.
The police arrived ten minutes later.
Two officers entered the cottage, followed by a detective from the county investigation unit. Samantha explained the discovery of the documents, the threats we had received, and the statements Denise had made.
The detective separated Denise and Charles for questioning.
My father looked of the documents, the threats we had received, and the statements Denise had made.
The detective separated Denise and Charles for questioning.
My father looked at me as an officer guided him toward the front door.
“Naomi.””
I stood beside Gabriel's carrier.
He stopped.
“I at me as an officer guided him toward the front door.
“Naomi.””
I stood beside Gabriel's carrier.
He stopped.
“I did what I thought I had to do.””
I stared at him.
“You let me believe Lucas did what I thought I had to do.””
I stared at him.
“You let me believe Lucas died without anyone knowing why.””
“I didn't want you dragged into the investigation.””
“You didn't want me to discover what you'd done.””
His eyes filled died without anyone knowing why.””
“I didn't want you dragged into the investigation.””
“You didn't want me to discover what you'd done.””
His eyes filled with tears.
For one brief moment, I saw the father I remembered.
Then he looked away.
“I hope one day you understand.””
I shook my head.
“I hope one day you understand what you've with tears.
For one brief moment, I saw the father I remembered.
Then he looked away.
“I hope one day you understand.””
I shook my head.
“I hope one day you understand what you've done.””
The officer escorted him outside.
Denise followed the detective into another room, still clutching her done.””
The officer escorted him outside.
Denise followed the detective into another room, still clutching her handbag. Before the door closed, she turned back toward me.
“Naomi, I'm sorry.””
I didn't answer.
An apology could not restore the hours Lucas might handbag. Before the door closed, she turned back toward me.
“Naomi, I'm sorry.””
I didn't answer.
An apology could not restore the hours Lucas might have had if someone had called for help immediately.
It could not erase the threats, the forged documents, or the months I had spent believing the have had if someone had called for help immediately.
It could not erase the threats, the forged documents, or the months I had spent believing the people closest to me were grieving alongside me.
And it could not make me trust her again.
people closest to me were grieving alongside me.
And it could not make me trust her again.
That afternoon, Samantha and I sat in the cottage living room while investigators catalogued the documents.
GabThat afternoon, Samantha and I sat in the cottage living room while investigators catalogued the documents.
Gabriel slept in my arms.
I watched the lake through the window, trying to imagine the world after theriel slept in my arms.
I watched the lake through the window, trying to imagine the world after the truth became public.
My father might face criminal charges.
Denise might face criminal charges.
The financial investigation could take months truth became public.
My father might face criminal charges.
Denise might face criminal charges.
The financial investigation could take months, perhaps years.
And the investigation into Lucas's death would have to begin again.
Nothing was finished.
But something had changed.
For, perhaps years.
And the investigation into Lucas's death would have to begin again.
Nothing was finished.
But something had changed.
For the first time since Lucas died, I was no longer trying to understand his death through the explanations other people had given me.
I was finally asking the questions he had wanted the first time since Lucas died, I was no longer trying to understand his death through the explanations other people had given me.
I was finally asking the questions he had wanted answered.
Samantha sat beside me.
“Naomi, there's something else in the ownership agreement.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She showed answered.
Samantha sat beside me.
“Naomi, there's something else in the ownership agreement.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She showed me the final page.
A clause had been added to the agreement several months before Lucas died. It required Northstar's controlling party to disclose any me the final page.
A clause had been added to the agreement several months before Lucas died. It required Northstar's controlling party to disclose any beneficial ownership interest in a company that sought to purchase property held by the Bennett family trust.
The clause beneficial ownership interest in a company that sought to purchase property held by the Bennett family trust.
The clause had never been activated because the attempted sale was still pending.
But the proposed had never been activated because the attempted sale was still pending.
But the proposed purchaser had signed a certification declaring that no related party held a controlling interest.
Denise's signature appeared on the ownership agreement.
The purchaser had signed a certification declaring that no related party held a controlling interest.
Denise's signature appeared on the ownership agreement.
The certification appeared under the name of Northstar's authorized representative.
Charles Bennett.
“They knew the relationship was concealed,” Samantha said.
“If certification appeared under the name of Northstar's authorized representative.
Charles Bennett.
“They knew the relationship was concealed,” Samantha said.
“If the transaction had gone through, we would have grounds to challenge it on more than one basis.””
I stared at the pages.
“So they were trying to use my forged signature to sell the house to the transaction had gone through, we would have grounds to challenge it on more than one basis.””
I stared at the pages.
“So they were trying to use my forged signature to sell the house to a company they controlled.””
“That is what the documents suggest. The investigators will need to verify the entire transaction.””
I looked toward the fireplace.
Lucas had hidden the agreement there because a company they controlled.””
“That is what the documents suggest. The investigators will need to verify the entire transaction.””
I looked toward the fireplace.
Lucas had hidden the agreement there because he knew someone might search the obvious places.
He had left me a way to uncover the truth.
And he knew someone might search the obvious places.
He had left me a way to uncover the truth.
And he had done it without knowing whether I would ever find it.
I pressed the letter to my chest.
“I wish he he had done it without knowing whether I would ever find it.
I pressed the letter to my chest.
“I wish he had told me.””
Samantha nodded.
“So do I.””
A police officer approached with a sealed evidence had told me.””
Samantha nodded.
“So do I.””
A police officer approached with a sealed evidence bag.
Inside was the silver flash drive Denise had surrendered.
“The recording has been secured,” he explained.
“The investigation team will make a bag.
Inside was the silver flash drive Denise had surrendered.
“The recording has been secured,” he explained.
“The investigation team will make a verified forensic copy. Once that process is complete, the original will remain in evidence.””
I nodded.
“Will we be able to hear it?””
“Your attorney can coordinate with the investigators. They will determine when verified forensic copy. Once that process is complete, the original will remain in evidence.””
I nodded.
“Will we be able to hear it?””
“Your attorney can coordinate with the investigators. They will determine when and how the recording can be reviewed.””
I looked at Samantha.
“Then we wait.””
She squeezed my hand.
“We wait for the evidence to speak and how the recording can be reviewed.””
I looked at Samantha.
“Then we wait.””
She squeezed my hand.
“We wait for the evidence to speak.””
My phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
I nearly ignored it.
Then I saw the attachment.””
My phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
I nearly ignored it.
Then I saw the attachment.
It was a scanned document bearing the letterhead of a medical examiner's office.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
**Pre.
It was a scanned document bearing the letterhead of a medical examiner's office.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
*Preliminary finding: natural cardiac event.*
The date matched the day Lucas died.
But beneath the conclusion was another line, almost invisible beneath aliminary finding: natural cardiac event.**
The date matched the day Lucas died.
But beneath the conclusion was another line, almost invisible beneath a blacked-out section.
*Additional toxicology testing requested—results pending.*
I stared blacked-out section.
*Additional toxicology testing requested—results pending.*
I stared at the page.
“Samantha.””
She leaned over.
Her face went pale.
“This isn't the final report.””
“No.””
“It suggests at the page.
“Samantha.””
She leaned over.
Her face went pale.
“This isn't the final report.””
“No.””
“It suggests additional testing was requested.””
“Why would the final report say the death was natural if the testing was still pending?””
Samantha took the phone and additional testing was requested.””
“Why would the final report say the death was natural if the testing was still pending?””
Samantha took the phone and enlarged the document.
“I don't know. We need the original report and the complete medical examiner's file.””
I looked toward enlarged the document.
“I don't know. We need the original report and the complete medical examiner's file.””
I looked toward the officers.
“Can the investigation obtain them?””
“Yes,” Samantha said.
“And given the officers.
“Can the investigation obtain them?””
“Yes,” Samantha said.
“And given Denise's statement, the authorities have a reason to review the circumstances of the death.””
I stared at the screen.
Denise's statement, the authorities have a reason to review the circumstances of the death.””
I stared at the screen.
The financial evidence had explained why my father wanted the house.
Denise's confession had explained why they had hidden the events of that night.
But the medicalThe financial evidence had explained why my father wanted the house.
Denise's confession had explained why they had hidden the events of that night.
But the medical document raised a question neither of them had answered.
Had Lucas's collapse been a natural medical emergency?
Or had something else happened before document raised a question neither of them had answered.
Had Lucas's collapse been a natural medical emergency?
Or had something else happened before he fell?
I looked down at Gabriel.
His tiny fingers curled around the fabric of my dress.
I kissed his forehead.
“I'm going to find out, sweetheart.””
Outside, the lake he fell?
I looked down at Gabriel.
His tiny fingers curled around the fabric of my dress.
I kissed his forehead.
“I'm going to find out, sweetheart.””
Outside, the lake shimmered beneath the late afternoon sun.
For the first time in months, I could remember Lucas without seeing the hospital room shimmered beneath the late afternoon sun.
For the first time in months, I could remember Lucas without seeing the hospital room where I had learned he was gone.
I could remember his laughter, his terrible jokes, the way he had held my hand when we crossed where I had learned he was gone.
I could remember his laughter, his terrible jokes, the way he had held my hand when we crossed busy streets.
But now I had another memory.
His voice on the recording.
If you release those documents, you'll destroy her life along with mine.
My father had known the truth was coming busy streets.
But now I had another memory.
His voice on the recording.
If you release those documents, you'll destroy her life along with mine.
My father had known the truth was coming.
Denise had kept a recording because she feared being blamed.
And someone had sent.
Denise had kept a recording because she feared being blamed.
And someone had sent me an incomplete medical document from an unknown number.
The investigation was no longer just about stolen money or a disputed house.
It was about the final hours of my husband's life.
And the person who had sent that document wanted me to keep me an incomplete medical document from an unknown number.
The investigation was no longer just about stolen money or a disputed house.
It was about the final hours of my husband's life.
May you like
And the person who had sent that document wanted me to keep digging.
digging.
