Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Father Who Had Been Hiding the Truth
Marcus: The Father Who Had Been Hiding the Truth
Marcus read the message three times.
**ASK YOUR FATHER WHAT HE DID TW read the message three times.
*ASK YOUR FATHER WHAT HE DID TWENTY YEARS AGO.*
He stood in the bank's parking lot, the coldENTY YEARS AGO.**
He stood in the bank's parking lot, the cold November wind cutting through his suit jacket. Evelyn Carter was beside him, holding the leather November wind cutting through his suit jacket. Evelyn Carter was beside him, holding the leather folder containing Margaret's documents.
Daniel Reeves had already called the police.
But Marcus couldn't stop staring at the photograph of his mother.
Someone folder containing Margaret's documents.
Daniel Reeves had already called the police.
But Marcus couldn't stop staring at the photograph of his mother.
Someone had taken it inside the hospital.
Someone had been watching Eleanor.
“Marcus,” Daniel said, “we need to move.””
had taken it inside the hospital.
Someone had been watching Eleanor.
“Marcus,” Daniel said, “we need to move.””
Marcus slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Call the hospital security department. Tell them nobody enters my parentsMarcus slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Call the hospital security department. Tell them nobody enters my parents' room without verification.””
“I've already done that.””
“Then call the police again.””
Daniel nodded.
Evelyn opened the passenger door.
' room without verification.””
“I've already done that.””
“Then call the police again.””
Daniel nodded.
Evelyn opened the passenger door.
“There's something you need to understand about your father.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
“Margaret never trusted Walter completely.””
Marcus frowned.
“My father?””
“She believed he“There's something you need to understand about your father.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
“Margaret never trusted Walter completely.””
Marcus frowned.
“My father?””
“She believed he knew more about James's death than he admitted.””
Marcus shook his head.
“My father loved his father.””
“Those knew more about James's death than he admitted.””
Marcus shook his head.
“My father loved his father.””
“Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.””
The words stayed with him as they drove toward the hospital.
For twenty years, Walter two things aren't mutually exclusive.””
The words stayed with him as they drove toward the hospital.
For twenty years, Walter had been the quiet member of the family. He rarely discussed business. He avoided arguments had been the quiet member of the family.
He rarely discussed business. He avoided arguments. He spent most of his time with Eleanor and his grandchildren.
Marcus had never imagined his father could be involved in something sinister.
But the. He spent most of his time with Eleanor and his grandchildren.
Marcus had never imagined his father could be involved in something sinister.
But the recording, the old photographs, and the anonymous message were beginning to change everything.
When they arrived, two uniformed security officers were standing outside Eleanor's room.
Marcus hurried recording, the old photographs, and the anonymous message were beginning to change everything.
When they arrived, two uniformed security officers were standing outside Eleanor's room.
Marcus hurried inside.
Walter was sitting beside the window.
His cane rested against the wall.
Eleanor was asleep.
“Dad inside.
Walter was sitting beside the window.
His cane rested against the wall.
Eleanor was asleep.
“Dad?””
Walter turned.
His face changed when he saw Evelyn.
“Evelyn?””
Walter turned.
His face changed when he saw Evelyn.
“Evelyn Carter.””
She nodded.
“Walter.””
He looked toward Marcus.
“You opened the box.””
“Yes.””
Walter closed his eyes.
“Then you know about Carter.””
She nodded.
“Walter.””
He looked toward Marcus.
“You opened the box.””
“Yes.””
Walter closed his eyes.
“Then you know about Robert.””
“I know he was involved in something twenty years ago. I know Vanessa was there when Grandpa died. And I Robert.””
“I know he was involved in something twenty years ago. I know Vanessa was there when Grandpa died. And I know someone has been watching Mom.””
Walter looked at Eleanor.
Then he whispered, “We need to talk somewhere private.””
Marcus glanced at his mother know someone has been watching Mom.””
Walter looked at Eleanor.
Then he whispered, “We need to talk somewhere private.””
Marcus glanced at his mother.
“She's asleep.””
Walter shook his head.
“Not here.””
They moved into a small consultation room down.
“She's asleep.””
Walter shook his head.
“Not here.””
They moved into a small consultation room down the hallway.
Once the door closed, Marcus faced his father.
“Tell me what you did twenty years ago.””
Walter sat down.
For several seconds, he simply the hallway.
Once the door closed, Marcus faced his father.
“Tell me what you did twenty years ago.””
Walter sat down.
For several seconds, he simply stared at his hands.
Then he began.
“Your grandfather didn't collapse at home.””
Marcus frowned.
“What stared at his hands.
Then he began.
“Your grandfather didn't collapse at home.””
Marcus frowned.
“What?””
“He was taken to a private medical clinic. Robert arranged it. He told us your grandfather had suffered a stroke and needed specialized treatment.””
Walter swallowed?””
“He was taken to a private medical clinic. Robert arranged it. He told us your grandfather had suffered a stroke and needed specialized treatment.””
Walter swallowed.
“I went with him.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“You were there?””
Walter nodded.
“I was in the building that night.””
Evelyn placed her folder on the table.
“Why.
“I went with him.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“You were there?””
Walter nodded.
“I was in the building that night.””
Evelyn placed her folder on the table.
“Why wasn't that mentioned in the original investigation?””
“Because I lied.””
Marcus stared at him.
Walter's eyes wasn't that mentioned in the original investigation?””
“Because I lied.””
Marcus stared at him.
Walter's eyes filled.
“I told the police I had gone home before your grandfather became ill.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert threatened your filled.
“I told the police I had gone home before your grandfather became ill.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert threatened your mother.””
Marcus stood.
“Dad!””
Walter flinched.
“Listen to me.””
“No. You let us mother.””
Marcus stood.
“Dad!””
Walter flinched.
“Listen to me.””
“No. You let us believe Grandpa died naturally. You let Aunt Margaret spend years looking for evidence while you knew what happened!””
“I was trying believe Grandpa died naturally. You let Aunt Margaret spend years looking for evidence while you knew what happened!””
“I was trying to keep you alive!””
The room went silent.
Walter pressed both hands against his cane.
“Robert told me that if I spoke to keep you alive!””
The room went silent.
Walter pressed both hands against his cane.
“Robert told me that if I spoke, he would destroy our family. He had documents showing that I had signed several company transactions without understanding what they, he would destroy our family. He had documents showing that I had signed several company transactions without understanding what they were. He said he would send me to prison and make sure Eleanor lost everything.””
Marcus shook his head.
“So you protected yourself were. He said he would send me to prison and make sure Eleanor lost everything.””
Marcus shook his head.
“So you protected yourself.””
Walter looked up.
“I protected you.””
Marcus turned away.
Walter continued.
“Your grandfather had discovered that Robert was using company money to pay for.””
Walter looked up.
“I protected you.””
Marcus turned away.
Walter continued.
“Your grandfather had discovered that Robert was using company money to pay for fraudulent medical assessments. He wanted to report him. That night, Robert called me and said Father needed help fraudulent medical assessments.
He wanted to report him. That night, Robert called me and said Father needed help.””
Walter's voice broke.
“When I arrived, your grandfather was conscious. He was sitting in a private examination room, arguing with Bennett.””
E.””
Walter's voice broke.
“When I arrived, your grandfather was conscious. He was sitting in a private examination room, arguing with Bennett.””
Evelyn leaned forward.
“What did you hear?””
Walter looked at her.
“Bennett said the assessment was readyvelyn leaned forward.
“What did you hear?””
Walter looked at her.
“Bennett said the assessment was ready. Your grandfather refused to sign it. He said he knew they were trying to declare him incompetent so Robert.
Your grandfather refused to sign it. He said he knew they were trying to declare him incompetent so Robert could take control of the company.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“And then?””
“Robert ordered could take control of the company.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“And then?””
“Robert ordered Bennett to administer something to him.””
Walter stopped.
His breathing became uneven.
“I didn't see what it was. I heard your Bennett to administer something to him.””
Walter stopped.
His breathing became uneven.
“I didn't see what it was. I heard your grandfather shout. Then there was a crash.””
Marcus felt sick.
“Did you go inside?””
Walter nodded.
grandfather shout. Then there was a crash.””
Marcus felt sick.
“Did you go inside?””
Walter nodded.
“Your grandfather was on the floor. Bennett was trying to revive him. Robert told me to call an ambulance,“Your grandfather was on the floor.
Bennett was trying to revive him. Robert told me to call an ambulance, but he also told me to say Father had collapsed at home.””
Evelyn stared at him.
“And you agreed?””
Walter lowered his head.
“I was thirty but he also told me to say Father had collapsed at home.””
Evelyn stared at him.
“And you agreed?””
Walter lowered his head.
“I was thirty-nine years old. I had a wife and a little boy. Robert told me he could make both of us disappear.””
Marcus looked at his father.
“You let him get away with it.””
Walter-nine years old. I had a wife and a little boy. Robert told me he could make both of us disappear.””
Marcus looked at his father.
“You let him get away with it.””
Walter nodded.
“Yes.””
A tear rolled down his cheek.
“I have hated myself every day since.””
Marcus sat nodded.
“Yes.””
A tear rolled down his cheek.
“I have hated myself every day since.””
Marcus sat down slowly.
The anger inside him was enormous.
But beneath it was something else.
Grief.
His grandfather had died under suspicious down slowly.
The anger inside him was enormous.
But beneath it was something else.
Grief.
His grandfather had died under suspicious circumstances circumstances. His father had carried the secret for two decades. His mother had been targeted because of an inheritance that was supposed to protect her.
And now the same people had entered his marriage.
“Why didn't you tell me when Vanessa came into our lives?””
Walter looked up.
“Because I didn't recognize her. His father had carried the secret for two decades. His mother had been targeted because of an inheritance that was supposed to protect her.
And now the same people had entered his marriage.
“Why didn't you tell me when Vanessa came into our lives?””
Walter looked up.
“Because I didn't recognize her.””
Evelyn opened her folder and removed the photograph of Vanessa with Robert.
Walter stared at it.
Then he covered.””
Evelyn opened her folder and removed the photograph of Vanessa with Robert.
Walter stared at it.
Then he covered his mouth.
“Oh, God.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“You recognize her?””
Walter nodded.
“Her mother worked for Robert. Vanessa his mouth.
“Oh, God.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“You recognize her?””
Walter nodded.
“Her mother worked for Robert. Vanessa used to visit the company offices when she was a teenager.””
Marcus felt his stomach drop used to visit the company offices when she was a teenager.””
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
“She knew who I was?””
Walter's silence answered him.
“Dad?””
Walter finally whispered, “I believe Robert.
“She knew who I was?””
Walter's silence answered him.
“Dad?””
Walter finally whispered, “I believe Robert introduced you to her deliberately.””
Marcus stood.
For a moment, the walls seemed to move.
Their marriage.
Their first meeting.
The engagement introduced you to her deliberately.””
Marcus stood.
For a moment, the walls seemed to move.
Their marriage.
Their first meeting.
The engagement.
The wedding.
Had all of it been planned?
Before he could ask another question, a nurse appeared at the door.
“Mr. Mitchell?””
Marcus turned.
“What's.
The wedding.
Had all of it been planned?
Before he could ask another question, a nurse appeared at the door.
“Mr. Mitchell?””
Marcus turned.
“What's wrong?””
“Your mother is awake. She's asking for you.””
He immediately left the room.
Eleanor was sitting upright wrong?””
“Your mother is awake. She's asking for you.””
He immediately left the room.
Eleanor was sitting upright when he entered.
Her eyes moved from Marcus to Evelyn.
Then she looked toward Walter.
“Did you tell him?””
Walter when he entered.
Her eyes moved from Marcus to Evelyn.
Then she looked toward Walter.
“Did you tell him?””
Walter nodded.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“Then it's time.””
She reached beneath her pillow and removed a folded piece of paper.
Marcus nodded.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“Then it's time.””
She reached beneath her pillow and removed a folded piece of paper.
Marcus sat beside her.
“What is it, Mom?””
She placed it in his hand.
“Your grandfather gave me this the sat beside her.
“What is it, Mom?””
She placed it in his hand.
“Your grandfather gave me this the morning he died.””
Marcus unfolded it.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
*Eleanor, if something happens to me, trust Walter only with your morning he died.””
Marcus unfolded it.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Eleanor, if something happens to me, trust Walter only with your life, life, not with the truth. He is frightened, and fear can make good people do terrible things.
Marcus looked at his not with the truth. He is frightened, and fear can make good people do terrible things.*
Marcus looked at his father.
Walter began crying.
Eleanor continued.
“Your grandfather knew Walter was afraid of Robert. He knew your father might stay silent.””
Marcus stared at the letter.
“Why didn't you show this to anyone?””
“Because your grandfather wrote something else on father.
Walter began crying.
Eleanor continued.
“Your grandfather knew Walter was afraid of Robert. He knew your father might stay silent.””
Marcus stared at the letter.
“Why didn't you show this to anyone?””
“Because your grandfather wrote something else on the back.””
She turned the paper over.
There was another sentence.
*The person who knows where the original medical records are kept is the only person who can prove the back.””
She turned the paper over.
There was another sentence.
The person who knows where the original medical records are kept is the only person who can prove what happened.
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
“Where?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“We don't know.””
Walter suddenly lifted his head.
“I do.””
Everyone turned toward him.
He looked directly at Marcus.
“Your grandfather kept a private medical ledger in the old family house.””
Marcus frowned.
“The house in Pennsylvania?””
Walter nodded.
“Robert sold it years ago, but the basement was never cleared. There's a locked cabinet behind the old wine cellar.””
Evelyn immediately stood.
“Are you certain?””
“I helped your grandfather build it.””
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
“Then we're going there.””
Walter gripped his cane.
“No.””
Marcus turned.
“Why not?””
“Because what happened.*
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
“Where?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“We don't know.””
Walter suddenly lifted his head.
“I do.””
Everyone turned toward him.
He looked directly at Marcus.
“Your grandfather kept a private medical ledger in the old family house.””
Marcus frowned.
“The house in Pennsylvania?””
Walter nodded.
“Robert sold it years ago, but the basement was never cleared. There's a locked cabinet behind the old wine cellar.””
Evelyn immediately stood.
“Are you certain?””
“I helped your grandfather build it.””
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
“Then we're going there.””
Walter gripped his cane.
“No.””
Marcus turned.
“Why not?””
“Because Robert knows about that cabinet.””
A phone began vibrating on the bedside table.
Eleanor glanced at it.
It was an unknown number.
Marcus answered.
A man's voice spoke calmly.
“Hello, Marcus.””
Marcus recognized the name immediately.
“Robert.””
Robert knows about that cabinet.””
A phone began vibrating on the bedside table.
Eleanor glanced at it.
It was an unknown number.
Marcus answered.
A man's voice spoke calmly.
“Hello, Marcus.””
Marcus recognized the name immediately.
“Robert.””
A soft laugh came through the speaker.
“Your father has been talking, I see.””
Marcus tightened his grip.
“Stay away from myA soft laugh came through the speaker.
“Your father has been talking, I see.””
Marcus tightened his grip.
“Stay away from my family.””
Robert sighed.
“That's an interesting thing to say, considering what your father did to mine family.””
Robert sighed.
“That's an interesting thing to say, considering what your father did to mine.””
Marcus looked at Walter.
“What do you want?””
“The same thing your grandfather wanted. The company protected.””
“By forging.””
Marcus looked at Walter.
“What do you want?””
“The same thing your grandfather wanted. The company protected.””
“By forging documents and threatening my mother?””
Robert laughed.
“Your mother is not the innocent person you believe she is.””
Marcus froze documents and threatening my mother?””
Robert laughed.
“Your mother is not the innocent person you believe she is.””
Marcus froze.
“What does that mean?””
Robert's voice lowered.
“Ask her what she signed the morning your grandfather died.””
Then.
“What does that mean?””
Robert's voice lowered.
“Ask her what she signed the morning your grandfather died.””
Then the call ended.
Marcus slowly turned toward Eleanor.
Her face had gone pale.
And she the call ended.
Marcus slowly turned toward Eleanor.
Her face had gone pale.
May you like
And she whispered:
“Your grandfather made me sign something before he died.””
