Chapter 7: The Brother Who Betrayed His Own Blood
“Because Richard Whitmore knows where the original trust documents are hidden.””
James Bennett tightened his grip on the phone.
“What do you mean Maya is in danger?””
On the other end, Michael Bennett lowered his voice.
“James, I don't have time to explain everything over the phone. You need to get Maya somewhere safe.””
James looked toward his daughter.
Maya was standing beside the conference table, holding her newborn. Charles had already moved closer to her.
“Michael, I'm going to ask you one question. Did you help Richard Whitmore steal from Eleanor's trust?””
Silence.
Then Michael answered.
“I never wanted it to go this far.””
James closed his eyes.
That was enough.
“You signed the authorization.””
“James, please listen.””
“You signed a document using our dead mother's trust, and now you're telling me you never wanted it to go this far?””
“I was trying to protect the family.””
James let out a bitter laugh.
“Which family, Michael? Yours?””
“That's not fair.””
“Then explain yourself.””
Michael sighed.
“Richard approached me last year. He said he had a way to expand the family's charitable investments while giving us greater control over the hotel business. He promised everything would remain legitimate.””
“And you believed him?””
“I wanted to believe him.””
“Did you know he planned to use Maya's signature?””
Michael didn't answer.
James's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Did you know?””
“Yes.””
Maya heard the answer.
Her fingers tightened around the baby's blanket.
Charles looked at her and silently gestured toward the adjoining security office.
But Maya shook her head.
She wanted to hear everything.
James turned away from the others.
“You knew someone was forging my daughter's signature?””
Michael's voice cracked.
“I didn't know they would actually use it.””
“That's the excuse you're choosing?””
“James, I have a family too. Richard promised me a position in the new foundation. He said I could help restore the Bennett family's influence after Eleanor died.””
James stared at the city beyond the windows.
“My wife spent the last years of her life helping families who had nothing. She trusted you.””
“I know.””
“She invited you to our home for Christmas. She helped your children when you were struggling. She considered you a brother.””
“I know, James!””
“Then how could you?””
Michael began crying.
“I made a terrible decision.””
James looked toward Maya.
His daughter was listening silently.
Her eyes were full of tears, but she refused to look away.
“Where are the original documents?”” James asked.
Michael hesitated.
“That's the problem.””
“Explain.””
“Richard believes the original trust deed and the sealed authorization records are in Eleanor's old office.””
James frowned.
“They aren't.””
“I know.””
“Then why are you telling me this?””
“Because Richard doesn't believe me. He thinks I moved them.””
James's expression changed.
“Did you?””
Michael took a breath.
“Yes.””
Charles immediately looked up.
James continued.
“Where?””
Michael whispered something.
James's eyes widened.
“You put them there?””
“Yes. I thought if Richard couldn't find them, he'd abandon the plan.””
James rubbed his forehead.
“Michael, where are the documents?””
“In Eleanor's original foundation office.””
James went completely still.
Maya looked at him.
“Dad?””
He covered the phone.
“Your uncle has the original documents.””
Maya swallowed.
“Is that good?””
“Not necessarily.””
James returned to the call.
“Michael, did anyone follow you?””
“I don't think so.””
“Did you tell Richard where you hid them?””
“No.””
“Then don't move. I'll send someone to bring you here.””
Michael suddenly became frantic.
“No! Don't send anyone.””
“Why?””
“Because Richard has people watching my house.””
Charles approached.
“Sir, we should contact security and law enforcement.””
James nodded.
Then Michael said something that made him stop.
“James, there's another reason Richard wants Maya.””
James's voice hardened.
“Go on.””
“He knows the foundation was originally supposed to pass into Maya's control when she turned twenty-seven.””
Maya looked up sharply.
She had turned twenty-seven three months earlier.
James had never told her the full details of the trust's succession arrangements.
“What does that mean?”” she whispered.
James raised one finger, asking her to wait.
Michael continued.
“Richard believes Maya's appointment as successor trustee could complicate everything. If she signs the proper acceptance documents, the forged authorization becomes much easier to expose.””
James frowned.
“Why didn't Patricia tell us?””
“She doesn't know about the original succession clause. Eleanor added it privately after the first draft.””
James looked toward Charles.
“Get Patricia back on the line.””
Michael interrupted.
“There's more.””
James shut his eyes.
“What now?””
“Richard knows the original documents are in the old foundation office. He sent someone there this morning.””
James looked at his watch.
“What time?””
“About forty minutes ago.””
Maya gasped.
“Dad, that's the building where Mom worked.””
James turned toward Charles.
“Call security at the foundation office. Now.””
Charles hurried away.
Michael's voice became desperate.
“James, please. Don't let Maya go there.””
James looked at his daughter.
“I wasn't planning to.””
Then he heard a noise through the phone.
A door opening.
Michael whispered, “Someone's here.””
“Michael?””
No answer.
“Michael, speak to me.””
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Mr. Bennett, what a surprise.””
James recognized it.
Richard Whitmore.
“Put my brother back on the phone.””
Richard laughed.
“Your brother has been very helpful. Unfortunately, he hasn't been particularly honest.””
James stood.
“What have you done with him?””
“Nothing that concerns you.””
“Richard, listen carefully. If you've touched him—”
“You should be more concerned about your daughter.””
James's blood ran cold.
Richard continued.
“I understand you're very protective of Maya. That's admirable. But people can become careless when they believe their money makes them untouchable.””
James looked at Charles.
Charles was already speaking urgently into his security radio.
“Where is Vanessa?”” James asked.
Richard paused.
“Why do you ask?””
“Because I want to know whether your daughter understands what you've been doing.””
Richard laughed again.
“Vanessa has nothing to do with this.””
Maya stepped closer.
“That's a lie!””
Richard heard her.
“Ah. Maya. The young mother herself.””
James turned toward the phone.
“Don't speak to my daughter.””
Richard ignored him.
“You know, Maya, your mother was a very difficult woman to negotiate with. She believed money should be given away rather than used to create influence.””
Maya's eyes filled.
“Don't talk about my mother.””
“She left behind a considerable fortune. It would have been irresponsible to let it sit unused.””
“It's not yours!””
Richard sighed.
“You really are Eleanor's daughter.””
James moved closer to Maya.
“Richard, this conversation is over.””
“Not quite. I have one condition.””
James waited.
“Sign the revised partnership agreement. Transfer administrative control of the trust. And I will make sure your brother walks away safely.””
James stared at the phone.
“You're trying to blackmail me?””
“I'm offering you a solution.””
“No. You're offering me evidence of another crime.””
Richard's voice hardened.
“You have until tomorrow morning.””
Then the call ended.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Maya looked at her father.
“Dad, we can't let him get those documents.””
James nodded.
“We won't.””
Charles returned.
“Sir, I've reached the foundation office. The building's security system has been accessed.””
James's expression darkened.
“By whom?””
Charles looked at the screen.
“An employee credential belonging to Evelyn Carter.””
Everyone turned toward Evelyn.
She stood frozen.
“I didn't go there,” she whispered.
Charles checked the access log.
“The entry was registered twenty minutes ago.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“That's impossible. I resigned months ago.””
James looked at her.
“Did anyone have access to your old credentials?””
Evelyn's face lost color.
“My former supervisor.””
“Who?””
She swallowed.
“Vanessa Whitmore.””
Maya stared at her.
The woman who had slapped her had access to the building where Eleanor's original documents were hidden.
And someone had used Evelyn's credentials to enter.
Charles's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
Then turned toward James.
“Sir, we've located the person inside the foundation office.””
“Who is it?””
Charles hesitated.
“Mrs. Whitmore.””
James's expression hardened.
“Vanessa?””
May you like
Charles nodded.
“And she's not alone.””
