Chapter 9: The Price## Chapter 9: The Price of the Truth
The warehouse lights went out.
For of the Truth
The warehouse lights went out.
For one terrifying second, nobody moved.
Then Richard shouted, one terrifying second, nobody moved.
Then Richard shouted, "Everyone away from the windows!""
A second "Everyone away from the windows!""
A second crash shook the building.
Metal scraped against concrete.
Someone outside was trying to force the loading crash shook the building.
Metal scraped against concrete.
Someone outside was trying to force the loading door open.
Margaret grabbed Emma's arm.
"Come here, darling.""
Emma moved behind her.
I reached for my daughter's hand.
"Stay close door open.
Margaret grabbed Emma's arm.
"Come here, darling.""
Emma moved behind her.
I reached for my daughter's hand.
"Stay close.""
Richard pulled out his phone.
"Police are on their way.""
A voice came from the other side of the loading door.
"Claire! I.""
Richard pulled out his phone.
"Police are on their way.""
A voice came from the other side of the loading door.
"Claire! I know you're in there!""
Samuel Hayes.
He sounded older than he had in the recording, but his voice was unmistakable.
know you're in there!""
Samuel Hayes.
He sounded older than he had in the recording, but his voice was unmistakable.
"Come out. We need to talk.""
Richard motioned for the investigators to move toward the office entrance.
Then Hayes"Come out. We need to talk.""
Richard motioned for the investigators to move toward the office entrance.
Then Hayes spoke again.
"Your mother made a terrible mistake twenty-three years ago. Don't repeat it.""
My blood ran cold.
I stepped toward spoke again.
"Your mother made a terrible mistake twenty-three years ago. Don't repeat it.""
My blood ran cold.
I stepped toward the door.
Richard caught my arm.
"Don't.""
I looked at him.
"He knows something about my father the door.
Richard caught my arm.
"Don't.""
I looked at him.
"He knows something about my father.""
"And he'll use that to get you outside.""
The door rattled.
Then came a metallic.""
"And he'll use that to get you outside.""
The door rattled.
Then came a metallic bang.
Margaret whispered, "Thomas used to say that Hayes was the most loyal man he'd bang.
Margaret whispered, "Thomas used to say that Hayes was the most loyal man he'd ever employed.""
Richard looked at her.
"Apparently, that loyalty had a price.""
Emma was staring at the ledger.
"Mom.""
ever employed.""
Richard looked at her.
"Apparently, that loyalty had a price.""
Emma was staring at the ledger.
"Mom.""
I turned.
She pointed to the final page.
There was a small handwritten note beneath Elizabeth's name.
*PaymentI turned.
She pointed to the final page.
There was a small handwritten note beneath Elizabeth's name.
Payment authorized for the recovery of original evidence and suppression of historical claims.
I felt sick.
Elizabeth had not merely represented authorized for the recovery of original evidence and suppression of historical claims.*
I felt sick.
Elizabeth had not merely represented Mark.
She had been paid to help him bury the past.
My phone was still connected to the call.
"Elizabeth?""
Her Mark.
She had been paid to help him bury the past.
My phone was still connected to the call.
"Elizabeth?""
Her voice sounded desperate.
"Claire, are you still there?""
"Did you receive half a million dollars from Mark?""
Silence.
Then she whispered voice sounded desperate.
"Claire, are you still there?""
"Did you receive half a million dollars from Mark?""
Silence.
Then she whispered, "Yes.""
Richard looked at me sharply.
"Put her on speaker.""
I did.
"Why?"", "Yes.""
Richard looked at me sharply.
"Put her on speaker.""
I did.
"Why?"" I demanded.
Elizabeth began crying.
"My father left me documents connected to the Callahan family. Mark found out I demanded.
Elizabeth began crying.
"My father left me documents connected to the Callahan family. Mark found out I had them. He offered me money to hand everything over.""
"And you accepted?""
"I was in debt. My husband had left. My firm I had them. He offered me money to hand everything over.""
"And you accepted?""
"I was in debt. My husband had left. My firm was struggling. I thought the documents were old business records.""
"Don't insult me.""
"I know.""
"Did you know about my father's death?""
"No.""
"Did you know Mark was involved in Daniel was struggling. I thought the documents were old business records.""
"Don't insult me.""
"I know.""
"Did you know about my father's death?""
"No.""
"Did you know Mark was involved in Daniel's disappearance?""
"No.""
"Then why did you help him file that ridiculous report against Emma?""
Elizabeth's voice cracked.
"Because he threatened to expose something's disappearance?""
"No.""
"Then why did you help him file that ridiculous report against Emma?""
Elizabeth's voice cracked.
"Because he threatened to expose something about my father.""
Richard stepped closer.
"What?""
Elizabeth took a breath.
"My father was the lawyer who arranged about my father.""
Richard stepped closer.
"What?""
Elizabeth took a breath.
"My father was the lawyer who arranged Daniel's original transfer.""
Daniel's name made Margaret close her eyes.
Elizabeth continued.
"He knew Thomas wanted Daniel's original transfer.""
Daniel's name made Margaret close her eyes.
Elizabeth continued.
"He knew Thomas wanted the boy protected, but he also knew Mark had been involved. He kept copies of everything.""
"Where are the boy protected, but he also knew Mark had been involved. He kept copies of everything.""
"Where are those copies?"" Richard asked.
"My father's house.""
"Do you still have access?""
"Yes.""
"Then we need them.""
Before she could answer, the warehouse door gave those copies?"" Richard asked.
"My father's house.""
"Do you still have access?""
"Yes.""
"Then we need them.""
Before she could answer, the warehouse door gave another violent shudder.
Hayes shouted:
"Last chance, Claire!""
Richard raised his voice.
"Police are coming another violent shudder.
Hayes shouted:
"Last chance, Claire!""
Richard raised his voice.
"Police are coming, Samuel!""
There was a brief silence.
Then Hayes laughed.
"Police? You think they can help you?""
He, Samuel!""
There was a brief silence.
Then Hayes laughed.
"Police? You think they can help you?""
He stepped closer to the door.
"I've been dead for eighteen months. I have nothing left stepped closer to the door.
"I've been dead for eighteen months. I have nothing left to lose.""
Emma looked up.
"Mom.""
She pointed toward the small office.
"There.""
A red to lose.""
Emma looked up.
"Mom.""
She pointed toward the small office.
"There.""
A red light blinked on the wall.
A security camera.
Richard followed her gaze.
"Is it recording?""
Emma nodded.
"Old warehouse systems usually light blinked on the wall.
A security camera.
Richard followed her gaze.
"Is it recording?""
Emma nodded.
"Old warehouse systems usually store footage locally. If we can access the control box, we might have everything.""
Richard moved toward the cabinet.
The investigators store footage locally. If we can access the control box, we might have everything.""
Richard moved toward the cabinet.
The investigators helped him open the panel.
A small monitor flickered to life.
The screen showed the loading entrance.
Hayes stood outside.
And behind him was Mark.
He was wearing the helped him open the panel.
A small monitor flickered to life.
The screen showed the loading entrance.
Hayes stood outside.
And behind him was Mark.
He was wearing the same dark suit from the previous evening.
His tie was loose.
His face was furious.
He held a phone to same dark suit from the previous evening.
His tie was loose.
His face was furious.
He held a phone to his ear.
Richard leaned closer to the monitor.
"That's enough.""
He took photographs of the screen his ear.
Richard leaned closer to the monitor.
"That's enough.""
He took photographs of the screen.
Then he called the police again.
The sound of sirens began to approach.
Hayes looked over his shoulder.
Mark grabbed his arm.
They exchanged a few angry words.
Then Mark pointed.
Then he called the police again.
The sound of sirens began to approach.
Hayes looked over his shoulder.
Mark grabbed his arm.
They exchanged a few angry words.
Then Mark pointed toward the side entrance.
One of the investigators immediately moved to secure it.
The loading door stopped shaking toward the side entrance.
One of the investigators immediately moved to secure it.
The loading door stopped shaking.
A moment later, a vehicle engine roared outside.
They were leaving.
Richard exhaled.
"Good. We have footage of.
A moment later, a vehicle engine roared outside.
They were leaving.
Richard exhaled.
"Good. We have footage of both men attempting to force entry.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Claire, both men attempting to force entry.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Claire, we need to get you and Emma somewhere safe.""
I nodded.
But I wasn't leaving without the ledger.
Richard carefully we need to get you and Emma somewhere safe.""
I nodded.
But I wasn't leaving without the ledger.
Richard carefully placed it inside a protective case.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, the caller was the police detective handling the trust investigation.
I answered.
"Claire Bennett.""
placed it inside a protective case.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, the caller was the police detective handling the trust investigation.
I answered.
"Claire Bennett.""
"Ms. Bennett, this is Detective Harris. We need you to confirm something.""
"What?""
"We've located a vehicle registered"Ms. Bennett, this is Detective Harris. We need you to confirm something.""
"What?""
"We've located a vehicle registered to Mark Callahan near the warehouse.""
"Is he still there?""
"No. But we've recovered a second vehicle.""
My stomach tightened.
" to Mark Callahan near the warehouse.""
"Is he still there?""
"No. But we've recovered a second vehicle.""
My stomach tightened.
"Whose?""
"Elizabeth Bell's.""
Richard looked at me.
"Where?""
The detective hesitated.
"Outside the warehouse. The vehicleWhose?""
"Elizabeth Bell's.""
Richard looked at me.
"Where?""
The detective hesitated.
"Outside the warehouse. The vehicle has been abandoned.""
I looked toward the entrance.
"Elizabeth said she was at home.""
"She isn't.""
The has been abandoned.""
I looked toward the entrance.
"Elizabeth said she was at home.""
"She isn't.""
The detective continued.
"We've also found blood on the passenger-side door.""
Margaret gasped.
Richard immediately asked detective continued.
"We've also found blood on the passenger-side door.""
Margaret gasped.
Richard immediately asked for the address.
The detective gave it.
Then the call ended.
I looked at Emma.
"Something has for the address.
The detective gave it.
Then the call ended.
I looked at Emma.
"Something has happened to Elizabeth.""
We reached the location with police escort.
It happened to Elizabeth.""
We reached the location with police escort.
It was a small office building in downtown Stamford.
Elizabeth's car stood near the entrance.
The passenger window was a small office building in downtown Stamford.
Elizabeth's car stood near the entrance.
The passenger window was shattered.
A handbag lay on the pavement.
Police officers had already secured the area.
A detective approached was shattered.
A handbag lay on the pavement.
Police officers had already secured the area.
A detective approached Richard.
"Mr. Vance?""
"Yes.""
"We found signs of a struggle inside the building.""
"Was anyone injured?""
"We don't Richard.
"Mr. Vance?""
"Yes.""
"We found signs of a struggle inside the building.""
"Was anyone injured?""
"We don't know yet.""
He showed us a security photograph.
Elizabeth was entering the building at 6:17 p.m.
A know yet.""
He showed us a security photograph.
Elizabeth was entering the building at 6:17 p.m.
A second image showed a man following her.
His face was partially obscured.
But I recognized the coat.
Mark's.
Richard's expression hardened.
"Where second image showed a man following her.
His face was partially obscured.
But I recognized the coat.
Mark's.
Richard's expression hardened.
"Where is she?""
"We're searching the surrounding buildings.""
Emma stepped forward.
"Can I see the second photograph?""
The detective hesitated.
Then he is she?""
"We're searching the surrounding buildings.""
Emma stepped forward.
"Can I see the second photograph?""
The detective hesitated.
Then he showed her.
Emma studied it.
"That's not Dad.""
Richard frowned.
"How can you tell?""
"Look at the shoes showed her.
Emma studied it.
"That's not Dad.""
Richard frowned.
"How can you tell?""
"Look at the shoes.""
The man wore brown leather boots.
Mark always wore black formal shoes.
I looked closer.
She was right.
The man had a different.""
The man wore brown leather boots.
Mark always wore black formal shoes.
I looked closer.
She was right.
The man had a different build, too.
"Who is he?"" I asked.
The detective enlarged the image.
A familiar face appeared.
Margaret whispered build, too.
"Who is he?"" I asked.
The detective enlarged the image.
A familiar face appeared.
Margaret whispered.
"Peter?""
Peter Callahan.
Mark's uncle.
Thomas's younger brother.
The man who had sat beside Margaret at the birthday dinner.
The man who had helped raise Mark after.
"Peter?""
Peter Callahan.
Mark's uncle.
Thomas's younger brother.
The man who had sat beside Margaret at the birthday dinner.
The man who had helped raise Mark after Thomas died.
Richard stared.
"Peter has been dead for six years.""
The detective shook his head.
"Apparently, somebody has been using his Thomas died.
Richard stared.
"Peter has been dead for six years.""
The detective shook his head.
"Apparently, somebody has been using his identity.""
Margaret looked as if she might faint.
"That's impossible.""
Richard turned toward her.
"Margaret, did Peter have access to the old trust accounts?""
She nodded slowly.
"He identity.""
Margaret looked as if she might faint.
"That's impossible.""
Richard turned toward her.
"Margaret, did Peter have access to the old trust accounts?""
She nodded slowly.
"He was a trustee before Thomas died.""
"Did he have a brother?""
"No.""
"Then why would someone use his was a trustee before Thomas died.""
"Did he have a brother?""
"No.""
"Then why would someone use his identity?""
Margaret looked toward the photograph.
"Because Peter wasn't just Mark's uncle.""
She swallowed.
"He was Thomas's closest business identity?""
Margaret looked toward the photograph.
"Because Peter wasn't just Mark's uncle.""
She swallowed.
"He was Thomas's closest business partner.""
Richard looked at her.
"And?""
Margaret's voice trembled.
"He was the man who disappeared the partner.""
Richard looked at her.
"And?""
Margaret's voice trembled.
"He was the man who disappeared the night Claire's father died.""
The detective immediately radioed his team.
"Get me every record night Claire's father died.""
The detective immediately radioed his team.
"Get me every record connected to Peter Callahan.""
Emma gripped my hand.
"Mom, I think we've found the man in the Christmas photograph connected to Peter Callahan.""
Emma gripped my hand.
"Mom, I think we've found the man in the Christmas photograph.""
I stared at her.
The man who had arrived at the Callahan house.
The man who had helped Thomas.
The man who had.""
I stared at her.
The man who had arrived at the Callahan house.
The man who had helped Thomas.
The man who had supposedly died years ago.
And now he was connected to Elizabeth's disappearance.
At 2:30 a.m., Detective Harris received a call.
Elizabeth had been found.
She was alive supposedly died years ago.
And now he was connected to Elizabeth's disappearance.
At 2:30 a.m., Detective Harris received a call.
Elizabeth had been found.
She was alive.
She had been taken to a private clinic outside Stamford, where she had been left with a broken wrist and several bruises.
When.
She had been taken to a private clinic outside Stamford, where she had been left with a broken wrist and several bruises.
When we arrived, she was sitting upright in a hospital bed.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes immediately found me.
"Claire.""
I approached we arrived, she was sitting upright in a hospital bed.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes immediately found me.
"Claire.""
I approached.
"What happened?""
She swallowed.
"Peter.""
Richard stood beside the bed.
"Who is Peter?""
"Peter.
"What happened?""
She swallowed.
"Peter.""
Richard stood beside the bed.
"Who is Peter?""
"Peter Callahan.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"But he's dead.""
Elizabeth shook her head.
"No. He's been alive all these years.""
"Why?""
"Because he was the person Callahan.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"But he's dead.""
Elizabeth shook her head.
"No. He's been alive all these years.""
"Why?""
"Because he was the person who arranged the original financial transfers. He helped Thomas move money out of the company, and when your father discovered it, Peter who arranged the original financial transfers. He helped Thomas move money out of the company, and when your father discovered it, Peter panicked.""
I looked at her.
"Did Peter kill my father?""
Elizabeth's eyes filled.
"I don't know who physically killed him.""
panicked.""
I looked at her.
"Did Peter kill my father?""
Elizabeth's eyes filled.
"I don't know who physically killed him.""
"Then what do you know?""
She reached beneath her pillow and removed a small memory card.
"My father kept the original recording"Then what do you know?""
She reached beneath her pillow and removed a small memory card.
"My father kept the original recording.""
Richard took it carefully.
"What recording?""
"The conversation between Peter, Thomas, Mark, and Samuel Hayes.""
Richard took it carefully.
"What recording?""
"The conversation between Peter, Thomas, Mark, and Samuel Hayes on Christmas Eve.""
Margaret covered her mouth.
Elizabeth continued.
"It proves Mark knew what was going to happen to Daniel. It also proves Thomas on Christmas Eve.""
Margaret covered her mouth.
Elizabeth continued.
"It proves Mark knew what was going to happen to Daniel. It also proves Thomas tried to stop Peter from taking him.""
Daniel's name made my chest tried to stop Peter from taking him.""
Daniel's name made my chest tighten.
"Where was this recording?""
"My father hid it in a safety deposit box.""
Richard looked at the memory card.
"Why didn't you give it to the police?""
"Because Mark told tighten.
"Where was this recording?""
"My father hid it in a safety deposit box.""
Richard looked at the memory card.
"Why didn't you give it to the police?""
"Because Mark told me that if I did, he would release documents implicating my father in the entire operation.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"Was me that if I did, he would release documents implicating my father in the entire operation.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"Was your father involved?""
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"Yes.""
The answer stunned us.
She continued.
"He helped arrange your father involved?""
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"Yes.""
The answer stunned us.
She continued.
"He helped arrange the transfer. But he later discovered what Peter had done and tried to protect Daniel. That's why he kept the recording.""
Margaret sat the transfer. But he later discovered what Peter had done and tried to protect Daniel. That's why he kept the recording.""
Margaret sat down.
"All these years...""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Your husband was not the only person who knew the truth.""
I looked at her.
"Why down.
"All these years...""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Your husband was not the only person who knew the truth.""
I looked at her.
"Why did you contact me?""
Elizabeth met my eyes.
"Because your mother asked my father to protect you.""
"From Mark?""
"From everyone did you contact me?""
Elizabeth met my eyes.
"Because your mother asked my father to protect you.""
"From Mark?""
"From everyone involved.""
I thought of the letter.
The promise.
The missing evidence.
My mother had known more than she had ever told me.
"What's involved.""
I thought of the letter.
The promise.
The missing evidence.
My mother had known more than she had ever told me.
"What's on the recording?"" I asked.
Elizabeth looked at Richard.
"Everything.""
He placed the memory card in an on the recording?"" I asked.
Elizabeth looked at Richard.
"Everything.""
He placed the memory card in an evidence envelope.
"Then we'll have it examined.""
Elizabeth grabbed his sleeve.
"There's one more thing.""
Richard stopped evidence envelope.
"Then we'll have it examined.""
Elizabeth grabbed his sleeve.
"There's one more thing.""
Richard stopped.
"What?""
"Peter has been using Mark.""
Margaret frowned.
"Using him?""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Mark.
"What?""
"Peter has been using Mark.""
Margaret frowned.
"Using him?""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Mark thought he was controlling the company. But Peter was the one directing the transfers. He wanted the thought he was controlling the company.
But Peter was the one directing the transfers. He wanted the trust emptied before Daniel could claim his inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
trust emptied before Daniel could claim his inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
Elizabeth's answer was barely audible.
"Because the original trust agreement contains something that would destroy him.""
Richard leaned forward.
"What?""
Elizabeth looked directly at MargaretElizabeth's answer was barely audible.
"Because the original trust agreement contains something that would destroy him.""
Richard leaned forward.
"What?""
Elizabeth looked directly at Margaret.
"Thomas didn't leave Daniel and Emma seven million dollars.""
Margaret frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Elizabeth shook her head.
"The seven.
"Thomas didn't leave Daniel and Emma seven million dollars.""
Margaret frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Elizabeth shook her head.
"The seven million was only the initial deposit.""
She took a breath.
"The actual inheritance includes controlling shares in Callahan Global million was only the initial deposit.""
She took a breath.
"The actual inheritance includes controlling shares in Callahan Global, the Greenwich estate, and the company's original intellectual property portfolio.""
Richard went still.
"How much is it worth?""
Elizabeth answered.
"Approximately $410 million.""
The room fell silent.
Margaret, the Greenwich estate, and the company's original intellectual property portfolio.""
Richard went still.
"How much is it worth?""
Elizabeth answered.
"Approximately $410 million.""
The room fell silent.
Margaret looked at me.
"Four hundred and ten million?""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Thomas transferred the controlling interest into a protected trust before his death. He looked at me.
"Four hundred and ten million?""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Thomas transferred the controlling interest into a protected trust before his death. He wanted Daniel to inherit it. But if Daniel could not be located, the shares would pass to his named wanted Daniel to inherit it. But if Daniel could not be located, the shares would pass to his named successor.""
Emma looked confused.
"Who is the successor?""
Elizabeth reached for the final page of the document.
She placed it in front of me.
successor.""
Emma looked confused.
"Who is the successor?""
Elizabeth reached for the final page of the document.
She placed it in front of me.
The name was written in black ink.
*Emma Claire Callahan.*
Richard stared.
"The name was written in black ink.
*Emma Claire Callahan.*
Richard stared.
"That makes Emma the controlling beneficiary.""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Yes.""
I looked at my daughter.
The child MarkThat makes Emma the controlling beneficiary.""
Elizabeth nodded.
"Yes.""
I looked at my daughter.
The child Mark had called weak.
The girl he had tried to discredit.
The girl he had planned to strip of her inheritance.
She was the legal heir to the majority of the family empire.
Then Elizabeth whispered had called weak.
The girl he had tried to discredit.
The girl he had planned to strip of her inheritance.
She was the legal heir to the majority of the family empire.
Then Elizabeth whispered something that changed everything again.
"But there's a something that changed everything again.
"But there's a condition.""
"What condition?"" Margaret asked.
Elizabeth looked at Emma.
"Emma cannot claim the inheritance unless Daniel publicly confirms the identity of the person who ordered his disappearance.""
Richard frowned.
"Why?""
"Because Thomas suspected that person was still alive.""
I looked at the condition.""
"What condition?"" Margaret asked.
Elizabeth looked at Emma.
"Emma cannot claim the inheritance unless Daniel publicly confirms the identity of the person who ordered his disappearance.""
Richard frowned.
"Why?""
"Because Thomas suspected that person was still alive.""
I looked at the detective.
"Who?""
Elizabeth answered.
"Peter Callahan.""
Then she added:
"And according to the original agreement, the person who proves Peter's identity will also inherit the private detective.
"Who?""
Elizabeth answered.
"Peter Callahan.""
Then she added:
"And according to the original agreement, the person who proves Peter's identity will also inherit the private estate Thomas kept outside the company.""
Margaret stared.
"Which estate?""
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"The house where Daniel estate Thomas kept outside the company.""
Margaret stared.
"Which estate?""
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"The house where Daniel was born.""
She looked at me.
"The same house where your father was killed.""
was born.""
May you like
She looked at me.
"The same house where your father was killed.""
