Chapter 7: The Betr## Chapter 7: The Betrayal Came From Inside Our Family
ayal Came From Inside Our Family
For several seconds, I couldn'tFor several seconds, I couldn't speak.
I stood in Arthur Collins's living room, holding my phone against my ear, listening to my mother cry.
Someone in our own family had betrayed my father.
speak.
I stood in Arthur Collins's living room, holding my phone against my ear, listening to my mother cry.
Someone in our own family had betrayed my father.
Those words didn't make sense.
My father had been a quiet man. He trusted carefully. He didn'tThose words didn't make sense.
My father had been a quiet man. He trusted carefully. He didn't have many friends, but the people he loved were everything to him.
And the people who loved him were supposed to protect him.
"Mom," I finally have many friends, but the people he loved were everything to him.
And the people who loved him were supposed to protect him.
"Mom," I finally said, "who betrayed Dad?""
"I don't know, sweetheart.""
"But you said Patricia told said, "who betrayed Dad?""
"I don't know, sweetheart.""
"But you said Patricia told you.""
"She said there was someone close to your father. Someone who knew about the car, the investigation, and the documents.""
I looked at you.""
"She said there was someone close to your father. Someone who knew about the car, the investigation, and the documents.""
I looked at Arthur.
He had gone completely still.
"Did Patricia give you a name?""
Arthur.
He had gone completely still.
"Did Patricia give you a name?""
Mom hesitated.
"She said to look at the original insurance policy.""
I frowned.
"What insurance policy?""
"The one your father took out shortly before he died.""
I remembered an old conversation.
My mother had onceMom hesitated.
"She said to look at the original insurance policy.""
I frowned.
"What insurance policy?""
"The one your father took out shortly before he died.""
I remembered an old conversation.
My mother had once mentioned that Dad increased his life insurance shortly before the accident. I'd assumed it was because he was worried about leaving us financially unprotected.
"Where is it?""
"In the house. Your father's old paperwork is in the attic.""
mentioned that Dad increased his life insurance shortly before the accident. I'd assumed it was because he was worried about leaving us financially unprotected.
"Where is it?""
"In the house. Your father's old paperwork is in the attic.""
"Mom, don't go looking for it. Stay with Daniel.""
"I won't.""
"And don't answer the door"Mom, don't go looking for it. Stay with Daniel.""
"I won't.""
"And don't answer the door.""
"I understand.""
Before ending the call, she whispered something that made my throat tighten.
"Marcus, your father loved you more than anything. Whatever you.""
"I understand.""
Before ending the call, she whispered something that made my throat tighten.
"Marcus, your father loved you more than anything. Whatever you discover, please don't let it destroy the good memories you have of him.""
I closed my eyes.
"I won't, Mom.""
The call ended.
Arthur was watching me.
"Pat discover, please don't let it destroy the good memories you have of him.""
I closed my eyes.
"I won't, Mom.""
The call ended.
Arthur was watching me.
"Patricia has been trying to tell the truth for years," he said.
"Then why didn't she?""
"Because she was threatenedricia has been trying to tell the truth for years," he said.
"Then why didn't she?""
"Because she was threatened. And because she believed the person responsible could reach her daughter.""
I looked at him.
"Are. And because she believed the person responsible could reach her daughter.""
I looked at him.
"Are you telling me Nia knew?""
Arthur slowly nodded.
"She may have known pieces of it.""
"Pieces you telling me Nia knew?""
Arthur slowly nodded.
"She may have known pieces of it.""
"Pieces?""
"Marcus, there are things about your father's death that even I don't understand.""
I stepped toward?""
"Marcus, there are things about your father's death that even I don't understand.""
I stepped toward the door.
"Then we're going to find out.""
Arthur picked up his coat.
"Where are you going?""
"To my mother's house.""
He the door.
"Then we're going to find out.""
Arthur picked up his coat.
"Where are you going?""
"To my mother's house.""
He shook his head.
"Not yet.""
I turned sharply.
"My mother is alone.""
"Your mother isn't alone shook his head.
"Not yet.""
I turned sharply.
"My mother is alone.""
"Your mother isn't alone. Daniel is with her.""
"Patricia has been taken, Graham is threatening my family, and you're telling me to sit. Daniel is with her.""
"Patricia has been taken, Graham is threatening my family, and you're telling me to sit here?""
Arthur approached me.
"Your father made one mistake. He confronted Thomas before securing here?""
Arthur approached me.
"Your father made one mistake. He confronted Thomas before securing the evidence. I won't let you make the same mistake.""
He reached into his desk drawer and removed a small brass key.
"Your the evidence. I won't let you make the same mistake.""
He reached into his desk drawer and removed a small brass key.
"Your father left something else with me.""
I stared at it.
"What?""
"A safety deposit box.""
" father left something else with me.""
I stared at it.
"What?""
"A safety deposit box.""
"Another one?""
Arthur nodded.
"At the same bank where Evelyn kept her savings.""
I took the key.
"Another one?""
Arthur nodded.
"At the same bank where Evelyn kept her savings.""
I took the key.
"What's inside?""
He looked directly at me.
"The original life insurance policy.""
At 2:15 p.m., DanielWhat's inside?""
He looked directly at me.
"The original life insurance policy.""
At 2:15 p.m., Daniel and I arrived at the bank.
Arthur had arranged for the manager to meet us.
The vault was in the basement.
A narrow corridor led to a heavy and I arrived at the bank.
Arthur had arranged for the manager to meet us.
The vault was in the basement.
A narrow corridor led to a heavy steel door, and the air smelled of metal and old paper.
The manager examined the key.
Then she looked at my identification.
"Mr. Bennett, steel door, and the air smelled of metal and old paper.
The manager examined the key.
Then she looked at my identification.
"Mr. Bennett, your father opened this box in 1999.""
I nodded.
"Has anyone accessed it since?""
She checked your father opened this box in 1999.""
I nodded.
"Has anyone accessed it since?""
She checked her records.
"No.""
She led us inside.
The box contained three envelopes, a small photograph, and a sealed her records.
"No.""
She led us inside.
The box contained three envelopes, a small photograph, and a sealed cassette tape.
I picked up the photograph first.
It showed my father standing beside three people.
My mother.
Thomas Whitmore cassette tape.
I picked up the photograph first.
It showed my father standing beside three people.
My mother.
Thomas Whitmore.
And another man.
I recognized him immediately.
My uncle Raymond.
My father's younger brother.
I stared at the picture.
Raymond had been.
And another man.
I recognized him immediately.
My uncle Raymond.
My father's younger brother.
I stared at the picture.
Raymond had been at my wedding.
He had stood near the back of the chapel, watching Nia humiliate my at my wedding.
He had stood near the back of the chapel, watching Nia humiliate my mother.
He had nodded at me when I walked away.
I turned the photograph over.
Dad had written:
*The four people who know mother.
He had nodded at me when I walked away.
I turned the photograph over.
Dad had written:
The four people who know the truth.
My fingers tightened.
Daniel leaned closer.
"That's your uncle, isn't it?""
"Yes.""
" the truth.*
My fingers tightened.
Daniel leaned closer.
"That's your uncle, isn't it?""
"Yes.""
"Marcus...""
I picked up the first envelope.
Inside was the original insurance policy.
The beneficiary was my mother.
But aMarcus...""
I picked up the first envelope.
Inside was the original insurance policy.
The beneficiary was my mother.
But a second document had been attached.
It was an amendment dated just two weeks before Dad's death.
The amendment listed Raymond as an authorized witness.
I read the second document had been attached.
It was an amendment dated just two weeks before Dad's death.
The amendment listed Raymond as an authorized witness.
I read the next paragraph.
The policy had been increased to nearly $1.5 million.
I frowned.
"Why would Dad increase his insurance so dramatically next paragraph.
The policy had been increased to nearly $1.5 million.
I frowned.
"Why would Dad increase his insurance so dramatically?""
Daniel examined the paperwork.
"Maybe because he knew he was in danger.""
I opened the second envelope.
?""
Daniel examined the paperwork.
"Maybe because he knew he was in danger.""
I opened the second envelope.
It contained a handwritten letter.
Evelyn, if anything happens to me, don't believe the first explanation they give you.
MyIt contained a handwritten letter.
Evelyn, if anything happens to me, don't believe the first explanation they give you.
My chest tightened.
I continued.
*I have discovered that someone close to us has been giving Thomas information about my movements. I don't chest tightened.
I continued.
I have discovered that someone close to us has been giving Thomas information about my movements. I don't know how far this betrayal goes. But I know the person has access to our home, our financial records, and know how far this betrayal goes. But I know the person has access to our home, our financial records, and the insurance documents.
The letter ended abruptly.
There was no signature.
Only one sentence beneath the final paragraph.
If the insurance documents.
The letter ended abruptly.
There was no signature.
Only one sentence beneath the final paragraph.
If Raymond asks about the policy, do not tell him anything.
I looked at Daniel.
He read the sentence twice Raymond asks about the policy, do not tell him anything.*
I looked at Daniel.
He read the sentence twice.
"Your uncle?""
I couldn't answer.
Raymond had been part of my childhood.
He'd taught me how to ride.
"Your uncle?""
I couldn't answer.
Raymond had been part of my childhood.
He'd taught me how to ride a bicycle after Dad died.
He attended every school graduation.
He'd even helped me choose a bicycle after Dad died.
He attended every school graduation.
He'd even helped me choose the engagement ring.
He was the man who stood beside me when I buried my father.
I the engagement ring.
He was the man who stood beside me when I buried my father.
I suddenly felt sick.
I picked up the cassette.
Arthur had provided an old portable player.
I pressed play.
Static crack suddenly felt sick.
I picked up the cassette.
Arthur had provided an old portable player.
I pressed play.
Static crackled.
Then my father's voice filled the small room.
"Raymond, I know what you've done.""
I stopped breathing.
Another voice answered.
Myled.
Then my father's voice filled the small room.
"Raymond, I know what you've done.""
I stopped breathing.
Another voice answered.
My uncle's.
"Samuel, you don't understand.""
Dad sounded furious.
"I understand perfectly. You gave Thomas my schedule. You uncle's.
"Samuel, you don't understand.""
Dad sounded furious.
"I understand perfectly. You gave Thomas my schedule. You told him when I would be at the warehouse. You told him when I planned to meet Margaret.""
Raymond sighed.
"I was trying to help.""
"Help told him when I would be at the warehouse. You told him when I planned to meet Margaret.""
Raymond sighed.
"I was trying to help.""
"Help who?""
A chair scraped.
Then Raymond spoke.
"Thomas promised to pay me back.""
who?""
A chair scraped.
Then Raymond spoke.
"Thomas promised to pay me back.""
My father's voice dropped.
"With what? Money stolen from innocent people?""
Silence.
Then Raymond saidMy father's voice dropped.
"With what? Money stolen from innocent people?""
Silence.
Then Raymond said:
"I didn't know he would hurt you.""
The recording continued.
"You knew he had threatened me. You:
"I didn't know he would hurt you.""
The recording continued.
"You knew he had threatened me. You knew he had followed me. You knew what he was capable of.""
"Samuel, please.""
"No. Listen to me. I'm knew he had followed me. You knew what he was capable of.""
"Samuel, please.""
"No. Listen to me. I'm giving you one chance to tell the police everything.""
Raymond began crying.
Then he said something that made giving you one chance to tell the police everything.""
Raymond began crying.
Then he said something that made my hands go numb.
"Thomas said nobody would get hurt. He said all he needed was the my hands go numb.
"Thomas said nobody would get hurt. He said all he needed was the property documents.""
My father's reply was immediate.
"And the brakes?""
Sil property documents.""
My father's reply was immediate.
"And the brakes?""
Silence.
Then Raymond whispered:
"I didn't touch the car.""
The recording stoppedence.
Then Raymond whispered:
"I didn't touch the car.""
The recording stopped.
I stood motionless.
Daniel looked at me.
"Marcus...""
I couldn't look at him.
My uncle had known.
He had supplied information.
He had helped.
I stood motionless.
Daniel looked at me.
"Marcus...""
I couldn't look at him.
My uncle had known.
He had supplied information.
He had helped the man who threatened my father.
And somehow, he'd remained part of our family for twenty-four years.
I picked up the final envelope.
It the man who threatened my father.
And somehow, he'd remained part of our family for twenty-four years.
I picked up the final envelope.
It contained a document titled *BENEFICIARY PROTECTION AGREEMENT*.
The final page had been contained a document titled *BENEFICIARY PROTECTION AGREEMENT*.
The final page had been signed by my father, my mother, and an independent trustee.
I read the final paragraph.
If any person signed by my father, my mother, and an independent trustee.
I read the final paragraph.
If any person attempted to interfere with the family trust through fraud, coercion, or financial manipulation, the trustee was authorized to suspend the transfer and release all related evidence to attempted to interfere with the family trust through fraud, coercion, or financial manipulation, the trustee was authorized to suspend the transfer and release all related evidence to the authorities.
But the most important detail was the witness signature.
*Raymond Bennett.*
He had signed the authorities.
But the most important detail was the witness signature.
*Raymond Bennett.*
He had signed it.
Three days before my father died.
I stared at the signature.
Then my phone vibrated.
An incoming call.
Raymond.
I answered it.
Three days before my father died.
I stared at the signature.
Then my phone vibrated.
An incoming call.
Raymond.
I answered.
"Hello, Uncle.""
He sounded relieved.
"Marcus! I've been trying to reach you.""
I looked at the.
"Hello, Uncle.""
He sounded relieved.
"Marcus! I've been trying to reach you.""
I looked at the recording player.
"Really?""
"Yes. I heard about the wedding. Terrible situation, son.""
I said nothing.
He continued.
"Your mother must be devastated.""
"She's recording player.
"Really?""
"Yes. I heard about the wedding. Terrible situation, son.""
I said nothing.
He continued.
"Your mother must be devastated.""
"She's fine.""
"Good. Listen, I think we should sit down. Family needs to stick together, especially during difficult times.""
I fine.""
"Good. Listen, I think we should sit down. Family needs to stick together, especially during difficult times.""
I stared at his signature.
"Do you remember Dad?""
There was a pause.
"Of course.""
"Do you remember the night before stared at his signature.
"Do you remember Dad?""
There was a pause.
"Of course.""
"Do you remember the night before he died?""
Another pause.
"Marcus, that was a long time ago.""
"Do you remember telling him that nobody would get hurt?""
The he died?""
Another pause.
"Marcus, that was a long time ago.""
"Do you remember telling him that nobody would get hurt?""
The silence became absolute.
Then Raymond spoke.
"Where did you hear that?""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Why? Is it true?""
He exhaled.
" silence became absolute.
Then Raymond spoke.
"Where did you hear that?""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Why? Is it true?""
He exhaled.
"Listen to me. There are things your father never told you.""
"Then tellListen to me. There are things your father never told you.""
"Then tell me.""
"Not over the phone.""
"Why?""
His voice lowered.
"Because Graham is not the only person looking for that property.""
I stood.
"Who else?""
Raymond hesitated.
Then he said:
"Me.""
me.""
"Not over the phone.""
"Why?""
His voice lowered.
"Because Graham is not the only person looking for that property.""
I stood.
"Who else?""
Raymond hesitated.
Then he said:
"Me.""
The call ended.
Daniel stared at me.
I looked down at the photograph.
Four people.
My father.
My mother.
Thomas WhitThe call ended.
Daniel stared at me.
I looked down at the photograph.
Four people.
My father.
My mother.
Thomas Whitmore.
And Raymond.
Only one of them had survived long enough to tell the whole story.
And now thatmore.
And Raymond.
Only one of them had survived long enough to tell the whole story.
And now that man wanted the property for himself.
My phone vibrated again.
A message from an unknown number.
man wanted the property for himself.
My phone vibrated again.
A message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of a woman sitting in a dimly lit room.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was bruised.
PatIt contained a photograph of a woman sitting in a dimly lit room.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was bruised.
Patricia Bennett.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
*You have until midnight to bring the original deed. Otherwise, Patricia disappears permanently.*
Aricia Bennett.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
*You have until midnight to bring the original deed. Otherwise, Patricia disappears permanently.*
A second message arrived.
*And don't bring the police. Your uncle has already warned us.*
I looked at Daniel.
Then I picked up the phone second message arrived.
*And don't bring the police. Your uncle has already warned us.*
I looked at Daniel.
Then I picked up the phone.
"We're going to find Patricia.""
But before we could leave, the bank manager approached the door.
".
"We're going to find Patricia.""
But before we could leave, the bank manager approached the door.
"Mr. Bennett?""
I turned.
She held a printed document.
"Someone just attempted to access your father's second safetyMr. Bennett?""
I turned.
She held a printed document.
"Someone just attempted to access your father's second safety deposit box.""
I stared at her.
"Second box?""
She nodded.
"And the access request was authorized by your uncle, Raymond Bennett.""
deposit box.""
I stared at her.
"Second box?""
May you like
She nodded.
"And the access request was authorized by your uncle, Raymond Bennett.""
