Chapter 8: Midnight at Chapter 8: Midnight at the Whitmore Estate
The bank the Whitmore Estate
The bank manager placed the access request on the table.
I read manager placed the access request on the table.
I read it twice.
Raymond Bennett.
My uncle.
The same man who had stood beside me at my wedding. The same man who it twice.
Raymond Bennett.
My uncle.
The same man who had stood beside me at my wedding. The same man who had watched my mother leave the chapel in tears. The same man who had just admitted he wanted the property.
"How had watched my mother leave the chapel in tears. The same man who had just admitted he wanted the property.
"How many safety deposit boxes did my father have?"" I asked.
The manager adjusted her glasses.
"According to our records, two many safety deposit boxes did my father have?"" I asked.
The manager adjusted her glasses.
"According to our records, two.""
"Who owns the second one?""
"Your father originally opened it. However, the authorization was transferred to a designated representative.""
"Who owns the second one?""
"Your father originally opened it. However, the authorization was transferred to a designated representative several years ago.""
"Who?""
She looked at the document.
"Raymond Bennett.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Can you tell us what's several years ago.""
"Who?""
She looked at the document.
"Raymond Bennett.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Can you tell us what's inside?""
"I'm afraid not without the appropriate authorization.""
I placed the brass key on the counter.
"Does this open inside?""
"I'm afraid not without the appropriate authorization.""
I placed the brass key on the counter.
"Does this open the second box?""
The manager examined it.
Then she shook her head.
"No. This key belongs to the first box.""
I looked at the second box?""
The manager examined it.
Then she shook her head.
"No. This key belongs to the first box.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Then what's in the second?""
The manager hesitated.
"According to the original inventory, a sealed legal envelope, several Daniel.
"Then what's in the second?""
The manager hesitated.
"According to the original inventory, a sealed legal envelope, several financial records, and an audio recording.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
Another recording.
Another secret my father had left behind.
"Can financial records, and an audio recording.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
Another recording.
Another secret my father had left behind.
"Can Raymond access it?""
"His request was submitted this morning. However, the authorization requires verification because the original account holder is Raymond access it?""
"His request was submitted this morning. However, the authorization requires verification because the original account holder is deceased.""
"How long?""
"One business day, at minimum.""
I looked at Daniel.
We didn't have one business day.
deceased.""
"How long?""
"One business day, at minimum.""
I looked at Daniel.
We didn't have one business day.
Patricia had less than twelve hours.
I took out my phone and called Raymond.
He answered almost immediately.
"Marcus.""
"Why arePatricia had less than twelve hours.
I took out my phone and called Raymond.
He answered almost immediately.
"Marcus.""
"Why are you trying to access Dad's second safety deposit box?""
Silence.
Then he laughed softly.
"You're asking the wrong questions.""
"Try you trying to access Dad's second safety deposit box?""
Silence.
Then he laughed softly.
"You're asking the wrong questions.""
"Try me.""
"Your father left something in there that doesn't belong to you.""
I stared at the manager.
"Everything Dad me.""
"Your father left something in there that doesn't belong to you.""
I stared at the manager.
"Everything Dad left belongs to his family.""
"That's what Evelyn has always told you, hasn't she?""
"Where is Patricia left belongs to his family.""
"That's what Evelyn has always told you, hasn't she?""
"Where is Patricia?""
Raymond's voice changed.
"You're getting involved in things you don't understand.""
"She's been kidnapped.""
"Nobody?""
Raymond's voice changed.
"You're getting involved in things you don't understand.""
"She's been kidnapped.""
"Nobody kidnapped anyone.""
"Then tell me where she is.""
He sighed.
"Listen carefully. You have until midnight to bring the original deed to kidnapped anyone.""
"Then tell me where she is.""
He sighed.
"Listen carefully. You have until midnight to bring the original deed to the Whitmore estate.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Why the estate?""
"Because Graham wants to settle this privately the Whitmore estate.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Why the estate?""
"Because Graham wants to settle this privately.""
"Since when does a property dispute involve kidnapping?""
Raymond ignored the question.
"Bring the deed. Bring the blue.""
"Since when does a property dispute involve kidnapping?""
Raymond ignored the question.
"Bring the deed. Bring the blue folder. And come alone.""
"What happens if I refuse?""
His reply was quiet.
"Then another person gets folder. And come alone.""
"What happens if I refuse?""
His reply was quiet.
"Then another person gets hurt.""
The call ended.
Daniel shook his head.
"He's working with them.""
I nodded.
"But I hurt.""
The call ended.
Daniel shook his head.
"He's working with them.""
I nodded.
"But I don't think he's working for them.""
Daniel frowned.
"What do you mean?""
I looked at the bank authorization.
"Raymond wants something inside that don't think he's working for them.""
Daniel frowned.
"What do you mean?""
I looked at the bank authorization.
"Raymond wants something inside that second box. Graham wants the property. They're cooperating, but they're not after the same thing.""
Daniel considered that.
"Then we need to figure second box. Graham wants the property. They're cooperating, but they're not after the same thing.""
Daniel considered that.
"Then we need to figure out what your father put in there.""
I looked at the manager.
"Can you contact the bank's legal department and preserve out what your father put in there.""
I looked at the manager.
"Can you contact the bank's legal department and preserve both accounts?""
"Certainly.""
"And if anyone attempts to access either box again, please notify the appropriate authorities.""
She nodded.
Daniel and both accounts?""
"Certainly.""
"And if anyone attempts to access either box again, please notify the appropriate authorities.""
She nodded.
Daniel and I left.
In the parking lot, I called Arthur.
He answered immediately.
"Did you find the box?""
I left.
In the parking lot, I called Arthur.
He answered immediately.
"Did you find the box?""
"Yes. There's another one. Raymond has access.""
Arthur went silent.
Then he asked, "Did you see the"Yes. There's another one. Raymond has access.""
Arthur went silent.
Then he asked, "Did you see the inventory?""
I read it aloud.
When I finished, he exhaled.
"That must be it.""
"What?""
"Your father's final evidence inventory?""
I read it aloud.
When I finished, he exhaled.
"That must be it.""
"What?""
"Your father's final evidence.""
I leaned against the car.
"Arthur, what did Dad put in there?""
"I don't know. But I remember him telling me that if.""
I leaned against the car.
"Arthur, what did Dad put in there?""
"I don't know. But I remember him telling me that if anything happened to him, the second box would expose everyone involved.""
"Everyone?""
"Thomas, Raymond, and possibly anything happened to him, the second box would expose everyone involved.""
"Everyone?""
"Thomas, Raymond, and possibly someone else.""
I thought about the recording.
My father had confronted Raymond about the brakes.
But Raymond had denied touching the car.
Was he telling the truth?
" someone else.""
I thought about the recording.
My father had confronted Raymond about the brakes.
But Raymond had denied touching the car.
Was he telling the truth?
"Arthur, do you think my uncle killed my father?""
"I think he helped put him in danger. Whether he personally arranged the accident isArthur, do you think my uncle killed my father?""
"I think he helped put him in danger. Whether he personally arranged the accident is something we still need to establish.""
I looked toward the road.
"Can you meet us?""
"Where?""
"At the Whitmore estate.""
Arthur paused.
"Marcus, that is exactly where something we still need to establish.""
I looked toward the road.
"Can you meet us?""
"Where?""
"At the Whitmore estate.""
Arthur paused.
"Marcus, that is exactly where they want you.""
"I know.""
"Then why go?""
"Because Patricia is there they want you.""
"I know.""
"Then why go?""
"Because Patricia is there.""
He sighed.
"I'll contact someone I trust. And Marcus?""
"Yes?""
"Do not hand over that.""
He sighed.
"I'll contact someone I trust. And Marcus?""
"Yes?""
"Do not hand over that deed until you know exactly what they're offering.""
At seven-thirty that evening, Daniel drove me back to my mother's house.
We deed until you know exactly what they're offering.""
At seven-thirty that evening, Daniel drove me back to my mother's house.
We needed the original deed.
The photocopies weren't enough.
I found Mom sitting at the kitchen table, needed the original deed.
The photocopies weren't enough.
I found Mom sitting at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea.
She looked up when we entered.
"Any news?""
"Not yet.""
I sat beside her.
" her hands wrapped around a cup of tea.
She looked up when we entered.
"Any news?""
"Not yet.""
I sat beside her.
"Mom, I need the original deed.""
She stared at me.
"Why?""
"Patricia is being held at the Whitmore estate. TheyMom, I need the original deed.""
She stared at me.
"Why?""
"Patricia is being held at the Whitmore estate. They want the original.""
Mom's cup trembled.
"Oh, Lord.""
"Do you know where it is?""
She want the original.""
Mom's cup trembled.
"Oh, Lord.""
"Do you know where it is?""
She nodded slowly.
"Your father gave me a small metal case. He told me never to separate it from the original documents.""
" nodded slowly.
"Your father gave me a small metal case. He told me never to separate it from the original documents.""
"Where is it?""
"In the attic.""
We climbed the narrow staircase.
Dust covered the boxes.
Mom moved carefully toward an old woodenWhere is it?""
"In the attic.""
We climbed the narrow staircase.
Dust covered the boxes.
Mom moved carefully toward an old wooden trunk.
She opened it and removed a metal case with a combination lock.
"I haven't opened this in years," she whispered.
"Do trunk.
She opened it and removed a metal case with a combination lock.
"I haven't opened this in years," she whispered.
"Do you remember the combination?""
She smiled sadly.
"Your birthday.""
I entered the numbers.
The lock clicked.
Inside was a sealed envelope.
It contained you remember the combination?""
She smiled sadly.
"Your birthday.""
I entered the numbers.
The lock clicked.
Inside was a sealed envelope.
It contained the original deed, a second property agreement, and a handwritten note.
I unfolded the note.
Marcus,
*If anyone ever asks you to surrender this property, the original deed, a second property agreement, and a handwritten note.
I unfolded the note.
Marcus,
If anyone ever asks you to surrender this property, ask them one question.
Why does the Whitmore family believe it belongs to them ask them one question.
Why does the Whitmore family believe it belongs to them?
The answer is not in the land.
It is in the agreement.
I read the words twice.
Then I?*
The answer is not in the land.
It is in the agreement.
I read the words twice.
Then I examined the second agreement.
It was titled *IRREVOCABLE BENEFICIARY AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT*.
The document stated that the property was not merely an inherited asset.
It examined the second agreement.
It was titled *IRREVOCABLE BENEFICIARY AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT*.
The document stated that the property was not merely an inherited asset.
It was connected to a charitable foundation established by my father.
A foundation that owned a controlling interest in the was connected to a charitable foundation established by my father.
A foundation that owned a controlling interest in the land.
And I was named its sole surviving beneficiary.
I looked at Mom.
"What's the foundation?""
She wiped her eyes.
" land.
And I was named its sole surviving beneficiary.
I looked at Mom.
"What's the foundation?""
She wiped her eyes.
"Your father called it the Samuel Bennett Family Foundation.""
"Why have I never heard of it?""
"Because he wanted it to remain quiet until you were oldYour father called it the Samuel Bennett Family Foundation.""
"Why have I never heard of it?""
"Because he wanted it to remain quiet until you were old enough to manage it.""
I continued reading.
The foundation's purpose was to support elderly residents who had lost their savings through financial fraud.
I enough to manage it.""
I continued reading.
The foundation's purpose was to support elderly residents who had lost their savings through financial fraud.
I stopped.
"That's why Dad was investigating Thomas.""
Mom nodded.
"He discovered that Thomas had stolen money from several stopped.
"That's why Dad was investigating Thomas.""
Mom nodded.
"He discovered that Thomas had stolen money from several elderly investors. Your father wanted to recover what he could and help those people.""
I looked at the deed again.
"Then Graham isn't just trying to elderly investors. Your father wanted to recover what he could and help those people.""
I looked at the deed again.
"Then Graham isn't just trying to take property.""
"No.""
Mom's voice trembled.
"He's trying to destroy everything your father built.""
I folded the documents carefully.
Then take property.""
"No.""
Mom's voice trembled.
"He's trying to destroy everything your father built.""
I folded the documents carefully.
Then I noticed another page.
It contained the names of the foundation's original beneficiaries.
There were twelve.
One name appeared at the top.
Marg I noticed another page.
It contained the names of the foundation's original beneficiaries.
There were twelve.
One name appeared at the top.
Margaret Ellis.
Nia's mother.
I looked at Mom.
"Patricia was supposed to receive help from the foundation?""
Mom nodded.
"Youraret Ellis.
Nia's mother.
I looked at Mom.
"Patricia was supposed to receive help from the foundation?""
Mom nodded.
"Your father promised Margaret that if anything happened to her, he would make sure Patricia and Nia were protected.""
I stared at father promised Margaret that if anything happened to her, he would make sure Patricia and Nia were protected.""
I stared at the paper.
Suddenly, Nia's involvement became even more complicated.
Was she stealing from the man her the paper.
Suddenly, Nia's involvement became even more complicated.
Was she stealing from the man her own family had once trusted?
Or was she trying to recover something she believed belonged to them?
I turned the final page.
It own family had once trusted?
Or was she trying to recover something she believed belonged to them?
I turned the final page.
It contained a handwritten addition.
The foundation must never be controlled by anyone connected to the Whitmore family.
Below it was my father's signature.
contained a handwritten addition.
The foundation must never be controlled by anyone connected to the Whitmore family.
Below it was my father's signature.
I looked at Mom.
"Why would Dad write that?""
She swallowed.
"Because Thomas tried to take control of it.""
I placed theI looked at Mom.
"Why would Dad write that?""
She swallowed.
"Because Thomas tried to take control of it.""
I placed the documents in a leather folder.
Then I turned toward the stairs.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Marcus Bennett.""
documents in a leather folder.
Then I turned toward the stairs.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Marcus Bennett.""
A woman's voice whispered:
"Please don't come here.""
I froze.
"Patricia?""
"Yes.""
"Where are you?""
"IA woman's voice whispered:
"Please don't come here.""
I froze.
"Patricia?""
"Yes.""
"Where are you?""
"I don't have much time.""
I heard a door slam in the background.
Then a man's voice.
"Who are you talking to?""
Patricia lowered don't have much time.""
I heard a door slam in the background.
Then a man's voice.
"Who are you talking to?""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"Marcus, listen. Graham doesn't want the property.""
I frowned.
"Then what does he want?""
"The original ledger.""
I her voice.
"Marcus, listen. Graham doesn't want the property.""
I frowned.
"Then what does he want?""
"The original ledger.""
I looked at the documents.
"What ledger?""
"The one your father hid. The ledger that proves Thomas looked at the documents.
"What ledger?""
"The one your father hid. The ledger that proves Thomas stole the money.""
"Where is it?""
Patricia began crying.
"Your father gave it to me the night before he died.""
My stole the money.""
"Where is it?""
Patricia began crying.
"Your father gave it to me the night before he died.""
My chest tightened.
"Do you still have it?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
She whispered:
"Your mother knows.""
I turned chest tightened.
"Do you still have it?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
She whispered:
"Your mother knows.""
I turned toward Mom.
Her face had gone completely white.
Before I could ask her anything, Patricia continued.
"And Marcus, there's something else. Your father didn't die because Raymond gave toward Mom.
Her face had gone completely white.
Before I could ask her anything, Patricia continued.
"And Marcus, there's something else. Your father didn't die because Raymond gave Thomas his schedule.""
"What do you mean?""
"I heard the recording. I know who cut the brakes.""
A Thomas his schedule.""
"What do you mean?""
"I heard the recording. I know who cut the brakes.""
A loud crash sounded.
Patricia screamed.
Then a man's voice came through the phone.
Graham.
"Give me that!""
The line went dead.
I stood frozen.
Daniel grabbed loud crash sounded.
Patricia screamed.
Then a man's voice came through the phone.
Graham.
"Give me that!""
The line went dead.
I stood frozen.
Daniel grabbed my shoulder.
"What happened?""
I looked at Mom.
"Patricia says you know where Dad hid the ledger.""
Mom my shoulder.
"What happened?""
I looked at Mom.
"Patricia says you know where Dad hid the ledger.""
Mom slowly covered her mouth.
Then she whispered:
"Your father hid it in the one place nobody would ever think to look.""
"Where?""
She looked slowly covered her mouth.
Then she whispered:
"Your father hid it in the one place nobody would ever think to look.""
"Where?""
She looked at the photograph of my father on the kitchen wall.
"Inside his old church.""
I stared at her.
Then she added at the photograph of my father on the kitchen wall.
"Inside his old church.""
I stared at her.
Then she added:
"Marcus, there's another reason Nia came into your life.""
:
"Marcus, there's another reason Nia came into your life.""
My blood ran cold.
"What reason?""
Mom's eyes filled.
"Because Patricia told her who your father really was.""
I shook my head.
"I don't understand.""
Mom looked directly at me.
"Nia didn't meet you by accidentMy blood ran cold.
"What reason?""
Mom's eyes filled.
"Because Patricia told her who your father really was.""
I shook my head.
"I don't understand.""
Mom looked directly at me.
"Nia didn't meet you by accident.""
The Whitmore estate stood behind a long iron gate on the outskirts of Atlanta.
Daniel parked two streets away.
It.""
The Whitmore estate stood behind a long iron gate on the outskirts of Atlanta.
Daniel parked two streets away.
It was nearly eleven.
The property was enormous, with tall trees lining the driveway and a white mansion illuminated by golden lights.
I was nearly eleven.
The property was enormous, with tall trees lining the driveway and a white mansion illuminated by golden lights.
I could see two men standing near the entrance.
One was Graham.
The other was my uncle Raymond.
I stared at them through the windshield.
Daniel could see two men standing near the entrance.
One was Graham.
The other was my uncle Raymond.
I stared at them through the windshield.
Daniel whispered, "Do you want me to call the police?""
"Arthur is arranging that.""
"Then let's wait.""
I looked at the leather folder on my lap.
"No. We whispered, "Do you want me to call the police?""
"Arthur is arranging that.""
"Then let's wait.""
I looked at the leather folder on my lap.
"No. We need to know whether Patricia is inside.""
I stepped out.
The cold night air hit my face.
As I approached the gate, Graham walked toward me.
He was need to know whether Patricia is inside.""
I stepped out.
The cold night air hit my face.
As I approached the gate, Graham walked toward me.
He was wearing a dark suit.
His expression was almost pleasant.
"Marcus. You came.""
"Where's Patricia?""
"Inside.""
" wearing a dark suit.
His expression was almost pleasant.
"Marcus. You came.""
"Where's Patricia?""
"Inside.""
"Is she alive?""
He smiled.
"Of course.""
Raymond stepped forward.
"Give him the documents, son. Let's end this.""
I looked at my uncle.
"Why did you betrayIs she alive?""
He smiled.
"Of course.""
Raymond stepped forward.
"Give him the documents, son. Let's end this.""
I looked at my uncle.
"Why did you betray Dad?""
His face tightened.
"Not here.""
"Why?""
Graham interrupted.
"Because your Dad?""
His face tightened.
"Not here.""
"Why?""
Graham interrupted.
"Because your father was a difficult man, Marcus. He refused to understand that business sometimes requires compromise.""
I looked at him.
"Is that father was a difficult man, Marcus. He refused to understand that business sometimes requires compromise.""
I looked at him.
"Is that what you call cutting someone's brakes?""
Graham's smile disappeared.
Raymond looked away.
I took one step closer.
"Where's the what you call cutting someone's brakes?""
Graham's smile disappeared.
Raymond looked away.
I took one step closer.
"Where's the ledger?""
Graham held out his hand.
"First, the deed.""
I didn't move.
"Show me Patricia.""
He stared at me.
Then ledger?""
Graham held out his hand.
"First, the deed.""
I didn't move.
"Show me Patricia.""
He stared at me.
Then he nodded toward the house.
A moment later, two men escorted Patricia through the front doors.
Her hair was disheveled.
Her wrists were bruised.
he nodded toward the house.
A moment later, two men escorted Patricia through the front doors.
Her hair was disheveled.
Her wrists were bruised.
But she was alive.
I started forward.
Graham raised one hand.
"Not so fast.""
Patricia saw me.
"MarcusBut she was alive.
I started forward.
Graham raised one hand.
"Not so fast.""
Patricia saw me.
"Marcus!""
Her voice cracked.
"Don't give them the documents!""
Graham grabbed her arm.
"That's enough.""
I!""
Her voice cracked.
"Don't give them the documents!""
Graham grabbed her arm.
"That's enough.""
I felt rage surge through me.
"Let her go.""
He smiled.
"Give me what I want.""
I looked at Raymond felt rage surge through me.
"Let her go.""
He smiled.
"Give me what I want.""
I looked at Raymond.
"Uncle, you know Dad wanted this foundation to help people.""
Raymond's jaw tightened.
".
"Uncle, you know Dad wanted this foundation to help people.""
Raymond's jaw tightened.
"Your father made mistakes.""
"Was trusting you one of them?""
He didn't answer.
I slowlyYour father made mistakes.""
"Was trusting you one of them?""
He didn't answer.
I slowly opened the leather folder.
Then I removed the original deed.
Graham's eyes followed it.
But I kept it in my hand.
"Before I give opened the leather folder.
Then I removed the original deed.
Graham's eyes followed it.
But I kept it in my hand.
"Before I give you anything, I want to know what happened to my father.""
Raymond stepped forward.
"Marcus, you anything, I want to know what happened to my father.""
Raymond stepped forward.
"Marcus, stop.""
"No. I've spent twenty-four years believing Dad died in an accident.""
I looked directly at Graham.
"Who cut the brakes?""
For the first time, Graham looked uncomfortable stop.""
"No. I've spent twenty-four years believing Dad died in an accident.""
I looked directly at Graham.
"Who cut the brakes?""
For the first time, Graham looked uncomfortable.
Then he glanced toward my uncle.
And Raymond made a terrible mistake.
He whispered:
"Tell him the truth, Graham. It's over.""
I turned toward him.
"Why would you say that?""
Raymond closed his eyes.
G.
Then he glanced toward my uncle.
And Raymond made a terrible mistake.
He whispered:
"Tell him the truth, Graham. It's over.""
I turned toward him.
"Why would you say that?""
Raymond closed his eyes.
Graham released Patricia's arm.
Then he looked at me.
"Because your uncle didn't just betray your father,raham released Patricia's arm.
Then he looked at me.
"Because your uncle didn't just betray your father, Marcus.""
He paused.
"He was there when the car was sabotaged.""
Marcus.""
May you like
He paused.
"He was there when the car was sabotaged.""
