Chapter 8: The Cottage at the Lake
We left before sunrise.
Samantha arranged for a driver and a 8: The Cottage at the Lake
We left before sunrise.
Samantha arranged for a driver and a second vehicle carrying a security officer. We traveled north through a landscape of dark pine forests and mist-covered hills, with Gabriel sleeping in second vehicle carrying a security officer. We traveled north through a landscape of dark pine forests and mist-covered hills, with Gabriel sleeping in his car seat and Lucas's photograph resting inside my handbag.
I had not been back his car seat and Lucas's photograph resting inside my handbag.
I had not been back to the cottage in nearly a year.
The last time we visited, Lucas had stood on the wooden deck with two mugs to the cottage in nearly a year.
The last time we visited, Lucas had stood on the wooden deck with two mugs of coffee, teasing me about the ridiculous number of blankets I had packed for a three-day trip.
I had laughed of coffee, teasing me about the ridiculous number of blankets I had packed for a three-day trip.
I had laughed and thrown one of them at him.
He had caught it, wrapped it around his shoulders, and announced and thrown one of them at him.
He had caught it, wrapped it around his shoulders, and announced that he was now the most fashionable man in Vermont.
That memory hurt more than the others.
Because it was ordinary.
It that he was now the most fashionable man in Vermont.
That memory hurt more than the others.
Because it was ordinary.
It belonged to a life in which I had believed the future was something we could plan.
As the car turned belonged to a life in which I had believed the future was something we could plan.
As the car turned onto the narrow road leading to the lake, I pressed my palm against the window.
“There,” I whispered.
The cottage appeared between the trees, its onto the narrow road leading to the lake, I pressed my palm against the window.
“There,” I whispered.
The cottage appeared between the trees, its weathered cedar siding silver beneath the morning light. A small wooden dock stretched into the water. The porch swing still hung from its chains, weathered cedar siding silver beneath the morning light.
A small wooden dock stretched into the water. The porch swing still hung from its chains, moving gently in the breeze.
But something was wrong.
A dark vehicle stood beside the garage.
The moving gently in the breeze.
But something was wrong.
A dark vehicle stood beside the garage.
The front door was open.
Samantha immediately told the driver to stop.
“Stay in the car front door was open.
Samantha immediately told the driver to stop.
“Stay in the car with Gabriel,” she instructed me.
“We'll have security check the property before anyone enters.””
I shook my head.
“No. If someone is inside, I want the police here.””
She nodded and called the local authorities.
Within twenty with Gabriel,” she instructed me.
“We'll have security check the property before anyone enters.””
I shook my head.
“No. If someone is inside, I want the police here.””
She nodded and called the local authorities.
Within twenty minutes, two officers arrived. They searched the cottage and the surrounding grounds, then confirmed that the building was empty.
The dark vehicle had been minutes, two officers arrived. They searched the cottage and the surrounding grounds, then confirmed that the building was empty.
The dark vehicle had been abandoned.
Its rear window was broken, and the glove compartment had been emptied.
I stepped onto the porch.
The wood creaked beneath my shoes.
Someone had abandoned.
Its rear window was broken, and the glove compartment had been emptied.
I stepped onto the porch.
The wood creaked beneath my shoes.
Someone had been here recently.
The living room looked almost exactly as I remembered it, except that the cushions had been thrown onto the floor and several drawers stood open. A framed photograph of Lucas and me been here recently.
The living room looked almost exactly as I remembered it, except that the cushions had been thrown onto the floor and several drawers stood open. A framed photograph of Lucas and me lay face down beside the fireplace.
I picked it up.
The glass had cracked.
I brushed lay face down beside the fireplace.
I picked it up.
The glass had cracked.
I brushed the fragments away with my sleeve.
“They're looking for the agreement,” I whispered.
Samantha examined the room.
“Then we need to find it before they the fragments away with my sleeve.
“They're looking for the agreement,” I whispered.
Samantha examined the room.
“Then we need to find it before they come back.””
I walked toward the kitchen.
The coffee mugs were still on the shelf. The small wooden table where come back.””
I walked toward the kitchen.
The coffee mugs were still on the shelf. The small wooden table where Lucas had proposed remained beneath the window. Even the dent in the refrigerator door, caused when he Lucas had proposed remained beneath the window. Even the dent in the refrigerator door, caused when he had tried to move it himself, was still there.
I ran my fingers across the tabletop.
“The room where our life began,” I murmured.
Samantha had tried to move it himself, was still there.
I ran my fingers across the tabletop.
“The room where our life began,” I murmured.
Samantha joined me.
“Where did he propose?””
“Right here.””
I pointed to the chair beside the window.
“He hid the ring inside that joined me.
“Where did he propose?””
“Right here.””
I pointed to the chair beside the window.
“He hid the ring inside that mug. I spent twenty minutes looking for it before he finally gave up and handed me the coffee.””
Samantha smiled faintly.
“Sounds like Lucas.””
“He mug. I spent twenty minutes looking for it before he finally gave up and handed me the coffee.””
Samantha smiled faintly.
“Sounds like Lucas.””
“He loved puzzles.””
I opened the cupboard.
The mug was gone.
I stared at the empty shelf.
“No loved puzzles.””
I opened the cupboard.
The mug was gone.
I stared at the empty shelf.
“No.””
“What is it?””
“The mug. It was always here.””
Samantha examined the cupboard.
“Someone may.””
“What is it?””
“The mug. It was always here.””
Samantha examined the cupboard.
“Someone may have taken it.””
I stepped back, trying to remember the day Lucas proposed.
He had been nervous. I have taken it.””
I stepped back, trying to remember the day Lucas proposed.
He had been nervous. I remembered that now. His hands had trembled slightly when he poured the coffee.
He had asked me whether I believed two people could build something remembered that now. His hands had trembled slightly when he poured the coffee. He had asked me whether I believed two people could build something that lasted longer than their own lives.
I had laughed and told him he was being dramatic.
Then he had said, “Sometimes the that lasted longer than their own lives.
I had laughed and told him he was being dramatic.
Then he had said, “Sometimes the things that matter most are hidden in plain sight.””
At the time, I thought he was talking about the ring.
Now the words sounded like a warning.
I things that matter most are hidden in plain sight.””
At the time, I thought he was talking about the ring.
Now the words sounded like a warning.
I walked to the living room and knelt beside the fireplace.
Lucas had built a narrow wooden mantel above it. One corner walked to the living room and knelt beside the fireplace.
Lucas had built a narrow wooden mantel above it. One corner had always been loose because he refused to let a carpenter fix it.
He had insisted he could do had always been loose because he refused to let a carpenter fix it.
He had insisted he could do it himself.
I pressed against the corner.
Nothing happened.
Then I noticed a tiny brass screw hidden beneath the edge.
I found a screwdriver in the it himself.
I pressed against the corner.
Nothing happened.
Then I noticed a tiny brass screw hidden beneath the edge.
I found a screwdriver in the kitchen drawer and loosened it.
The wooden panel shifted outward.
Behind it lay a small metal box.
My breath caught.
Samantha kitchen drawer and loosened it.
The wooden panel shifted outward.
Behind it lay a small metal box.
My breath caught.
Samantha crouched beside me.
“Is that it?””
“I don't know.””
I pulled the box free.
A keyhole sat crouched beside me.
“Is that it?””
“I don't know.””
I pulled the box free.
A keyhole sat in the center of its lid.
I took the brass key from my handbag.
It fit.
The lock clicked.
Inside lay a sealed envelope, a small in the center of its lid.
I took the brass key from my handbag.
It fit.
The lock clicked.
Inside lay a sealed envelope, a small USB drive, and a document folded into thirds.
I recognized Lucas's handwriting on the envelope.
*For Naomi, when she USB drive, and a document folded into thirds.
I recognized Lucas's handwriting on the envelope.
For Naomi, when she is ready to know the truth.
My hands trembled.
I opened it.
My love,
If you have is ready to know the truth.
My hands trembled.
I opened it.
My love,
If you have found this, then someone has finally forced you to look at the things I tried to keep away from you.
I am sorry.
I wanted to tell you everything. I found this, then someone has finally forced you to look at the things I tried to keep away from you.
I am sorry.
I wanted to tell you everything. I wanted to explain why I was afraid of your father, why I kept the financial records separate from our family wanted to explain why I was afraid of your father, why I kept the financial records separate from our family documents, and why I believed the house needed protection.
But I was afraid that telling you would make you a target.
I paused, documents, and why I believed the house needed protection.*
But I was afraid that telling you would make you a target.
I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat.
*The most important thing I discovered wasn't the missing money. It was the fact that someone swallowing the lump in my throat.
The most important thing I discovered wasn't the missing money. It was the fact that someone had been using your identity to authorize transactions for had been using your identity to authorize transactions for years.
I traced the first account to a document signed when you were nineteen. I don't believe you understood what you were signing.
My eyes filled with tears.
I remembered the summer I had worked in my father's office. years.*
I traced the first account to a document signed when you were nineteen. I don't believe you understood what you were signing.
My eyes filled with tears.
I remembered the summer I had worked in my father's office. I had spent three months filing invoices, answering phones, and preparing envelopes. Charles had told me that I needed to learn how business worked before I went to college.
He had placed stacks of paperwork on my desk and told me I had spent three months filing invoices, answering phones, and preparing envelopes. Charles had told me that I needed to learn how business worked before I went to college.
He had placed stacks of paperwork on my desk and told me to sign where he had marked the pages.
I had never questioned him.
I had believed I was helping my father.
I continued reading.
*I found evidence that your signature was copied onto financial documents long after you left that office to sign where he had marked the pages.
I had never questioned him.
I had believed I was helping my father.
I continued reading.
I found evidence that your signature was copied onto financial documents long after you left that office. I cannot yet prove who did it, but the transactions benefited companies connected to Denise.
I suspect. I cannot yet prove who did it, but the transactions benefited companies connected to Denise.
I suspect Charles knows more than he admits.
If I am wrong, I hope he can explain everything.
If I am right, you Charles knows more than he admits.
If I am wrong, I hope he can explain everything.
If I am right, you must not let him convince you that protecting the family means protecting his secrets.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
Lucas had tried to protect me without realizing that his silence had left me un must not let him convince you that protecting the family means protecting his secrets.*
I pressed the letter against my chest.
Lucas had tried to protect me without realizing that his silence had left me unprepared for the moment the truth came crashing down.
I understood why he had done it.
I still wished he hadprepared for the moment the truth came crashing down.
I understood why he had done it.
I still wished he had trusted me enough to let me stand beside him.
Samantha unfolded the document.
It was the original beneficial ownership agreement for Northstar Development.
At the bottom, trusted me enough to let me stand beside him.
Samantha unfolded the document.
It was the original beneficial ownership agreement for Northstar Development.
At the bottom, the name of the controlling party appeared in bold.
Denise Bennett.
Beneath it was a second signature authorizing her the name of the controlling party appeared in bold.
Denise Bennett.
Beneath it was a second signature authorizing her to act on behalf of the company.
Charles Bennett.
Samantha photographed every page.
“This is important evidence,” she said.
“We need to to act on behalf of the company.
Charles Bennett.
Samantha photographed every page.
“This is important evidence,” she said.
“We need to preserve the original, document where it was found, and arrange for an independent examiner to verify the signatures preserve the original, document where it was found, and arrange for an independent examiner to verify the signatures.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed another sheet tucked beneath the agreement.
It was a photocopy of a bank.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed another sheet tucked beneath the agreement.
It was a photocopy of a bank transfer.
The amount was enormous.
The transfer date was November fourteenth, the day before Lucas died.
The recipient account transfer.
The amount was enormous.
The transfer date was November fourteenth, the day before Lucas died.
The recipient account belonged to a company I had never heard of.
But the belonged to a company I had never heard of.
But the authorization bore my signature.
And beside it was a witness signature.
Denise Bennett.
I stared at the page.
“They used my name to move the money.””
“That's authorization bore my signature.
And beside it was a witness signature.
Denise Bennett.
I stared at the page.
“They used my name to move the money.””
“That's what the document appears to show,” Samantha said.
“But we need to establish whether the transfer actually occurred and whether the authorization was forged.””
“Can we trace the money?””
“The bank and investigators can. We need to turn over the documents through the proper channels.””
I looked toward the window.
The lake was still and gray beneath what the document appears to show,” Samantha said.
“But we need to establish whether the transfer actually occurred and whether the authorization was forged.””
“Can we trace the money?””
“The bank and investigators can. We need to turn over the documents through the proper channels.””
I looked toward the window.
The lake was still and gray beneath the morning clouds.
Lucas had been sitting somewhere in this room when he decided to hide the evidence.
He had known I might one the morning clouds.
Lucas had been sitting somewhere in this room when he decided to hide the evidence.
He had known I might one day have to find it alone.
I wondered whether he had been afraid when he sealed the box.
I wondered whether he had thought about Gabriel.
And day have to find it alone.
I wondered whether he had been afraid when he sealed the box.
I wondered whether he had thought about Gabriel.
And I wondered whether my father had known what Lucas was hiding when he left I wondered whether my father had known what Lucas was hiding when he left that meeting.
A sound came from the porch.
Footsteps.
Samantha immediately closed the box and signaled for me to move away from the window.
The front door opened.
My father stepped inside.
He wore a dark overcoat and carried no briefcase. His gray hair was damp from the mist. He looked tired, older than I had ever seen him.
Behind him stood Denise.
Her face was pale.
Charles's eyes went straight to the metal box on the table.
“Give that meeting.
A sound came from the porch.
Footsteps.
Samantha immediately closed the box and signaled for me to move away from the window.
The front door opened.
My father stepped inside.
He wore a dark overcoat and carried no briefcase. His gray hair was damp from the mist. He looked tired, older than I had ever seen him.
Behind him stood Denise.
Her face was pale.
Charles's eyes went straight to the metal box on the table.
“Give it to me,” he said.
I stepped in front of it.
“No.””
“Naomi, you don't understand what you're holding.””
“ it to me,” he said.
I stepped in front of it.
“No.””
“Naomi, you don't understand what you're holding.””
“Then explain it.””
He looked at Samantha.
“This is a private family matter.””
“Not anymoreThen explain it.””
He looked at Samantha.
“This is a private family matter.””
“Not anymore,” she replied.
“The documents will be preserved and provided to the appropriate authorities.””
My father laughed bitterly.
“You think a stack of papers will save,” she replied.
“The documents will be preserved and provided to the appropriate authorities.””
My father laughed bitterly.
“You think a stack of papers will save you?””
“I think evidence matters,” Samantha said.
Charles took another step forward.
“Naomi, I am asking you as your father. you?””
“I think evidence matters,” Samantha said.
Charles took another step forward.
“Naomi, I am asking you as your father. Give me the box.””
I stared at him.
“You tried to sell my house. You threatened me when I was in labor. Someone Give me the box.””
I stared at him.
“You tried to sell my house. You threatened me when I was in labor. Someone photographed my baby and threatened to take his inheritance.
And now you have come all the photographed my baby and threatened to take his inheritance. And now you have come all the way here because you're afraid of a document.””
His expression hardened.
“You have no idea what was at stake.””
“Then tell me.””
He glanced way here because you're afraid of a document.””
His expression hardened.
“You have no idea what was at stake.””
“Then tell me.””
He glanced toward Denise.
She looked away.
For the first time, I saw fear on her face.
Not irritation.
Not calculation.
Fear.
Charles toward Denise.
She looked away.
For the first time, I saw fear on her face.
Not irritation.
Not calculation.
Fear.
Charles lowered his voice.
“The money was supposed to be returned. Everything was supposed to be fixed before anyone noticed lowered his voice.
“The money was supposed to be returned. Everything was supposed to be fixed before anyone noticed.””
“Whose money?””
“Investors' money. Company money. Money that could have destroyed everyone involved.””
.””
“Whose money?””
“Investors' money. Company money. Money that could have destroyed everyone involved.””
“So you used my identity?””
“I was trying to protect the family.””
I stared“So you used my identity?””
“I was trying to protect the family.””
I stared at him.
“You used my name without my permission?””
He didn't answer.
I felt something inside me break, but at him.
“You used my name without my permission?””
He didn't answer.
I felt something inside me break, but it wasn't the part that loved him.
It was the part that had spent thirty-two years believing his love would eventually make him a better man.
“You don't it wasn't the part that loved him.
It was the part that had spent thirty-two years believing his love would eventually make him a better man.
“You don't get to call it protection,” I whispered, “when you turn your own daughter into a shield.””
Charles looked get to call it protection,” I whispered, “when you turn your own daughter into a shield.””
Charles looked away.
Then he said the words that changed the meaning of everything.
“Lucas was going to expose Denise. He had the records. He knew what she had done. I went to him that night to stop him from destroying all of us.””
My heart pounded.
“What happened in away.
Then he said the words that changed the meaning of everything.
“Lucas was going to expose Denise. He had the records. He knew what she had done. I went to him that night to stop him from destroying all of us.””
My heart pounded.
“What happened in that room?””
“I told him to wait. I told him we could fix the accounts without involving the authorities.””
“And he refused.””
“Yes.””
“What happened after that that room?””
“I told him to wait. I told him we could fix the accounts without involving the authorities.””
“And he refused.””
“Yes.””
“What happened after that?””
Charles closed his eyes.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.
Then Denise spoke.
“Charles, stop.””
He turned toward her.
“Don't.””
“You promised me you would never tell her.””
The room went silent.
I looked at Denise.
“What did you just?””
Charles closed his eyes.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.
Then Denise spoke.
“Charles, stop.””
He turned toward her.
“Don't.””
“You promised me you would never tell her.””
The room went silent.
I looked at Denise.
“What did you just say?””
She pressed a hand against her mouth.
Charles's face drained of color.
And I realized that the woman who had spent years standing quietly beside my father had just revealed say?””
She pressed a hand against her mouth.
Charles's face drained of color.
And I realized that the woman who had spent years standing quietly beside my father had just revealed more than either of them intended.
Denise had been involved before Lucas died.
She had known about the confrontation.
And she had made my father promise to keep something hidden more than either of them intended.
Denise had been involved before Lucas died.
She had known about the confrontation.
And she had made my father promise to keep something hidden from me.
I stepped toward her.
“What happened to my husband?””
Denise backed away.
“I didn't from me.
I stepped toward her.
“What happened to my husband?””
Denise backed away.
“I didn't kill Lucas.””
“I didn't ask whether you killed him. I asked what happened.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she looked at Charles.
“You told me he kill Lucas.””
“I didn't ask whether you killed him. I asked what happened.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she looked at Charles.
“You told me he would never find out.””
My father grabbed her wrist.
“Be quiet.””
She pulled away.
“No. I'm finished being quiet.””
She turned to me.
“Your husband would never find out.””
My father grabbed her wrist.
“Be quiet.””
She pulled away.
“No. I'm finished being quiet.””
She turned to me.
“Your husband discovered that the money wasn't the only thing your father and I had hidden.””
I could barely discovered that the money wasn't the only thing your father and I had hidden.””
I could barely breathe.
“What else?””
Denise looked at the box.
Then she looked at me.
“The truth about your husband's death isn't in that ledger, Naomi. It's on the recording your father thought he had destroyed.””
breathe.
“What else?””
Denise looked at the box.
Then she looked at me.
“The truth about your husband's death isn't in that ledger, Naomi. It's on the recording your father thought he had destroyed.””
Before I could ask another question, Charles lunged toward the table.
Samantha grabbed theBefore I could ask another question, Charles lunged toward the table.
Samantha grabbed the box.
I pulled Gabriel's carrier toward me.
And Denise screamed the words that stopped my father in his tracks.
“Charles, if you touch those documents, I'll box.
I pulled Gabriel's carrier toward me.
May you like
And Denise screamed the words that stopped my father in his tracks.
“Charles, if you touch those documents, I'll tell her who was really in the room when Lucas collapsed!””
