Chapter 8: The Truth About My Father
I stared at Richard.
For eleven months, I had believed Danielle was dead.
For seven years, I had believed Richard Cole was dead.
And now he was standing in front of me, calmly discussing my father's involvement in my wife's disappearance.
"What did you just say?""
Richard placed the folder on a small table.
"Your father and I had an arrangement.""
Danielle grabbed my arm.
"Marcus, don't listen to him.""
Richard smiled.
"Still protecting him, Danielle? Even now?""
I stepped between them.
"Stay away from my wife.""
He raised both hands.
"Relax. I'm not here to hurt anyone.""
A police officer moved toward him.
"Put your hands where we can see them.""
Richard didn't resist.
Instead, he looked directly at me.
"Your father knew what would happen when he signed those papers.""
"My father died nine years ago.""
"Yes. And before he died, he transferred a significant portion of his assets into a private trust.""
I frowned.
"I know about the trust.""
"Do you know who established it?""
"My father.""
"Do you know who helped him?""
I didn't answer.
Richard opened the folder.
Inside were property deeds, bank statements, and copies of old business agreements.
He pulled out one document.
"Your father and I were business partners.""
I looked at the signature.
It was my father's.
Beside it was Richard's.
"What business?""
"Property acquisition. Medical development. Insurance investments.""
I shook my head.
"My father was a construction businessman.""
"He was also a very practical man.""
Richard pointed to another document.
"This agreement transferred several commercial properties into a trust. Your father was the principal beneficiary. You inherited control when he died.""
I looked at the document.
The property addresses were familiar.
They included several buildings our company had renovated over the years.
One of them was the private medical center where Danielle had been hidden.
My stomach tightened.
"Why would my father have any connection to Harrison?""
Richard smiled faintly.
"Because Harrison was the physician who treated your father during his final illness.""
I looked at Danielle.
She nodded slowly.
"Marcus, I found the documents while I was organizing your father's estate.""
"What documents?""
"The original trust agreements. Your father had left a sealed letter explaining that some of the properties were being used without your permission.""
I turned back to Richard.
"What does that have to do with my wife?""
"Everything.""
He sat down.
"Your father discovered that Harrison and I were using the properties to operate private facilities. Some were legitimate. Others were not.""
"Then why didn't he report you?""
"He intended to.""
Richard opened another folder.
"Before he could, he became ill. Harrison managed his treatment.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Are you saying Harrison caused my father's death?""
Richard shrugged.
"I didn't say that.""
Danielle stepped forward.
"He knows more than he's admitting.""
Richard ignored her.
"Your father left a recorded statement. It contained instructions to transfer the properties to you and to report any unauthorized activity.""
I stared at him.
"And you wanted those documents.""
"Yes.""
"That's why you married my sister?""
Richard nodded.
"Victoria was supposed to gain access to the family.""
I looked at Danielle.
"Your sister married me?""
Danielle's face crumpled.
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"I tried to warn you before she married you. But she had already taken my identity.""
I felt a cold wave move through me.
"How did she do that?""
Danielle took a breath.
"Victoria had access to my personal documents. She knew my medical history, my family, and the names of people who knew me. After Richard disappeared, she began using my identity.""
"Why?""
"Because everyone believed she was dead. It made it easier to hide.""
Richard interrupted.
"And when you married Victoria, she gained access to your household, your accounts, and your father's estate.""
I looked at him.
"Then why did you need Danielle?""
"Because she had the original documents.""
Danielle nodded.
"That's why they kept me alive.""
The words were barely audible.
I turned toward her.
"What did they do to you?""
She lowered her eyes.
"After the hospital declared me dead, they transferred me to private facilities. They told everyone I was mentally unstable. They gave me medication that made me weak and confused.""
"Why didn't you escape?""
"I tried.""
She showed me a small scar on her wrist.
"They restrained me after the first attempt.""
My throat tightened.
"How long were you at this house?""
"Three months.""
"Who looked after you?""
"A nurse who eventually helped me.""
"Where is she?""
Danielle looked toward the staircase.
"She disappeared two weeks ago.""
Richard laughed quietly.
"She wasn't particularly trustworthy.""
A police officer moved closer.
"Mr. Cole, you're under investigation for multiple suspected offenses. I need you to remain where you are.""
Richard looked irritated.
"You're making a serious mistake.""
Officer Reynolds entered the room.
"Mr. Cole, we have records connecting you to the unlawful confinement of Danielle Reed and the fraudulent transfer of insurance benefits.""
Richard's expression changed.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely concerned.
Then he looked at me.
"Ask your brother who authorized the second insurance policy.""
I turned.
Daniel had just entered the house with another officer.
His face was pale.
"What second policy?"" I asked.
Daniel looked at Danielle.
She closed her eyes.
"Marcus, there's something I didn't tell you.""
I felt my heart sink.
"What?""
"When I discovered Victoria had changed the beneficiary on my insurance, I contacted Daniel. He promised to help me.""
I looked at my brother.
"He told me he would get me out.""
Danielle continued.
"But he didn't.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"I was trying to find a way.""
"Stop," I said.
He looked at me.
"Marcus, please.""
"Tell me about the second policy.""
Daniel swallowed.
"Richard arranged another policy after Danielle was admitted to St. Catherine's.""
"Whose life was insured?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Whose?""
Daniel looked at Nia.
Then he whispered:
"Yours.""
The room went silent.
I stared at him.
"What?""
"Your life insurance policy was changed six months ago.""
I shook my head.
"I never purchased another policy.""
"You didn't know about it.""
"Who was the beneficiary?""
Daniel looked toward Richard.
"Victoria.""
I felt sick.
Richard smiled.
"Your father left behind a fortune. Someone had to make sure the inheritance became available.""
I turned toward him.
"You were planning to kill me?""
Richard didn't answer.
Instead, he glanced at Danielle.
"She knows the rest.""
I looked at my wife.
She was crying silently.
"Danielle?""
She reached for my hand.
"Marcus, I found something in your father's documents. Something that proves Harrison wasn't simply involved in the medical fraud.""
"What?""
"He was the person who arranged your father's final treatment.""
I looked toward Richard.
"And?""
Danielle's voice broke.
"Your father didn't die from the illness everyone was told he had.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"What are you saying?""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"Your father was poisoned.""
Before I could respond, a police officer's radio crackled.
A voice came through.
"Control to units at the Cole residence. We have an urgent update.""
Officer Reynolds answered.
"Go ahead.""
"We've located Dr. Harrison's vehicle. The suspect has abandoned it.""
"Where?""
There was a pause.
Then the voice replied.
"At the private cemetery where Danielle Reed was buried.""
I froze.
Officer Reynolds looked at me.
"Mr. Reed, we need to go there.""
Danielle grabbed my hand.
"Marcus, don't.""
"Why?""
May you like
She began shaking.
"Because that's where Harrison buried the evidence.""
