Chapter 6: The Night Robert Williams Died
The name hung in the study.
Dr. Samuel Reed.
For thirty years, he had been the Williams family's physician.
He had treated Robert's high blood pressure, monitored his heart condition, and visited him during the final weeks of his illness.
He had even delivered the eulogy at Robert's funeral.
Marcus shook his head.
"That's impossible.""
Vanessa nodded.
"I wish it were.""
Evelyn gripped the back of a chair.
"Why would Dr. Reed be involved?""
Vanessa looked at her.
"Because he was the one who signed Robert's final medical report.""
Evelyn's expression hardened.
"He was Robert's doctor.""
"Exactly.""
"Are you suggesting he killed my husband?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Marcus stepped toward her.
"Don't make accusations you can't prove.""
"I'm not accusing him of murder.""
"Then what are you saying?""
"I'm saying that Adrian told me Dr. Reed was involved in the transfer of the original documents.""
Daniel frowned.
"What documents?""
"The medical records. The original death certificate. And a sealed envelope Robert supposedly left with his doctor.""
Evelyn felt her heart begin to pound.
"Robert left something with Samuel?""
Vanessa nodded.
"He told Adrian that the doctor had it.""
Marcus immediately took out his phone.
"I'm calling him.""
Evelyn reached for his wrist.
"Wait.""
Marcus looked at her.
"Mom?""
"Don't call him yet.""
"Why?""
"Because if Vanessa is telling the truth, he may know we're looking for something.""
Daniel nodded.
"She's right. We need to be careful.""
Marcus paced toward the window.
"I can't believe this.""
Evelyn looked at the digital recorder.
She remembered the night Robert died.
The hospital room had smelled of disinfectant and flowers.
She had sat beside his bed, holding his hand.
Samuel had entered around midnight.
He had checked Robert's pulse and adjusted the monitor.
Then he had asked Evelyn to get some coffee.
She had refused.
But Robert had squeezed her fingers.
"Go, sweetheart," he had whispered.
"You need to rest.""
She had kissed him.
She had left the room for less than fifteen minutes.
When she returned, Samuel was standing beside the bed.
Robert was unconscious.
And an hour later, he was dead.
Evelyn had never questioned it.
Not once.
She had trusted Samuel.
She had trusted everyone.
"Mom?""
Marcus's voice brought her back.
She looked up.
He was holding a photograph on his phone.
"Is this Dr. Reed?""
Evelyn approached.
The photograph showed an older man leaving a restaurant.
Beside him stood Adrian Cole.
They were shaking hands.
Daniel looked at the image.
"When was this taken?""
Vanessa answered.
"Yesterday afternoon.""
Marcus looked at her.
"You saw them together?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
"At the warehouse.""
"Why were you there?""
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
"Because Adrian called me.""
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"Of course he did.""
"He said he had found something Robert left behind.""
"What?""
"A document showing the original ownership of the company.""
Daniel looked up.
"That's impossible. We already know the ownership structure.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"No. You know what the current documents say.""
She reached into her handbag and removed a small folded paper.
It was a photograph of an old document.
At the top was the Williams Development company name.
Below it were three shareholders.
Robert Williams.
Marcus Williams.
And Evelyn Williams.
Marcus frowned.
"Why is Mom listed?""
Evelyn looked closer.
She had never owned shares in Robert's company.
At least, she hadn't known she did.
The document showed that she owned thirty percent.
Marcus owned twenty percent.
Robert owned fifty percent.
But beneath the signatures was a clause that changed everything.
In the event of Robert's death, his shares would be transferred to Evelyn.
Not Marcus.
Not a trust.
Evelyn.
Marcus looked at his mother.
"Did you know about this?""
She shook her head.
"No.""
Vanessa nodded.
"Robert changed the ownership structure shortly before he died.""
Daniel examined the photograph.
"That means Evelyn controls eighty percent of the company.""
Marcus looked stunned.
"Then why did everyone tell me I inherited it?""
Vanessa answered.
"Because someone filed a different set of documents.""
Daniel immediately understood.
"Someone forged the transfer.""
Vanessa nodded.
"And the person who filed it used the doctor's certification of Robert's death to make the transfer appear legitimate.""
Evelyn sank into the chair.
For thirty years, Robert had built the company.
For eleven months, Marcus had run it.
And all that time, someone had apparently been using forged documents to steal control of the business.
"Who filed them?"" Marcus asked.
Vanessa looked toward the recorder.
"Adrian.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Why would a stranger have access to the company's legal records?""
Vanessa gave a bitter smile.
"Because he wasn't a stranger.""
She turned toward Evelyn.
"Adrian was Robert's illegitimate son.""
The room fell silent.
Evelyn looked at her.
"What?""
"Robert had a relationship with another woman before he married you. They had a son. His name was Adrian Cole.""
Evelyn stood so quickly that the chair scraped across the floor.
"No.""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"I'm sorry.""
"Robert would never—"
"Mrs. Williams, I know this is difficult.""
"Don't call me that!""
Evelyn's voice cracked.
"Robert loved me. He loved Marcus. He would never have hidden a child from us.""
Vanessa looked down.
"He did.""
Evelyn turned toward the fireplace.
She could see Robert in her mind.
His smile.
His hands.
The way he used to place a blanket over her when she fell asleep on the sofa.
The way he called her his only home.
Now every memory felt uncertain.
Marcus walked toward his mother.
"Mom, sit down.""
She shook her head.
"Did you know?""
Vanessa nodded.
"I found out after Robert died.""
"How?""
"Adrian showed me the birth certificate.""
Marcus stared.
"And you believed him?""
"He had documents. Photographs. Letters.""
Daniel interrupted.
"Do you have copies?""
Vanessa reached into her handbag and removed a second envelope.
Inside were several old photographs.
One showed Robert standing beside a young woman outside a hospital.
Another showed a little boy sitting on Robert's shoulders.
The boy had the same dark eyes and unmistakable jawline as Adrian Cole.
Evelyn touched the photograph.
Her fingers trembled.
"How old was he?""
"About eight," Vanessa replied.
Evelyn looked at the date.
It was taken thirty-five years earlier.
She remembered that year.
Robert had traveled to Chicago several times for business.
He had told her he was negotiating a construction contract.
She had stayed home with Marcus, who had been seven.
She remembered waiting up for him.
She remembered the gifts he brought back.
A silver bracelet.
A box of chocolates.
A new winter coat for Marcus.
Had he been visiting another family?
Marcus looked at the papers.
"Why would Adrian want the company?""
Vanessa answered quietly.
"Because he believes Robert stole his inheritance.""
Evelyn shook her head.
"He was not Robert's legal heir.""
"He thinks he was.""
Daniel picked up the birth certificate.
"That doesn't explain the forged shares.""
Vanessa looked at him.
"Adrian believes Robert promised him control of the company. He says your father made that promise before he died.""
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"And you helped him?""
"I thought he was telling the truth.""
"You helped him steal from us!""
"I thought I was protecting myself!""
"From what?""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"From a man who had threatened to expose my past.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Your past with David?""
She nodded.
"David and I were married for six years. He controlled everything. My money, my friends, my life. When I left him, he threatened to ruin me.""
"Then why did you marry me?""
Vanessa's voice broke.
"Because I loved you.""
Marcus looked away.
For a moment, Evelyn almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
Then she remembered the torn dress.
The slap.
The humiliation.
And the necklace planted in her handbag.
Love didn't explain those things.
"Where is Dr. Reed now?"" Evelyn asked.
Vanessa looked at her.
"I don't know.""
"Where does he live?""
"His clinic is downtown.""
Daniel checked his phone.
"I can get the address.""
Marcus shook his head.
"We're going to the warehouse first.""
Evelyn looked at him.
"No.""
He turned.
"Mom—"
"If Robert hid something there, we need to know what it is. But we're not walking into a place Adrian controls without protection.""
Daniel nodded.
"I'll contact our attorney and arrange for security.""
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"You don't have time.""
Marcus frowned.
"What?""
"Adrian knows you're looking for the original documents.""
"How?""
"Because he has people watching the house.""
Evelyn glanced toward the window.
The black car was gone.
But a small white van had appeared across the street.
Its headlights were off.
Daniel moved toward the curtains.
"That's not one of our security vehicles.""
Marcus took out his phone.
"Call the police.""
Before Daniel could respond, Evelyn's phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a familiar name.
Dr. Samuel Reed.
She answered.
"Samuel?""
A man's voice came through.
"Mrs. Williams, I'm sorry to call so late.""
Evelyn looked at Marcus.
"What is it?""
"I need you to listen carefully.""
His voice sounded strained.
"Have you opened Robert's safe?""
Evelyn didn't answer.
The doctor continued.
"Then you need to leave the mansion immediately.""
"Why?""
A long pause.
Then Samuel whispered.
"Because the man who came to your house tonight isn't Adrian Cole.""
Evelyn's grip tightened around the phone.
"Who is he?""
The doctor took a shaky breath.
"He's the man who was supposed to be buried with Robert.""
Marcus leaned closer.
Evelyn felt the blood drain from her face.
"Samuel, what are you talking about?""
The doctor began crying.
"Robert didn't die that night, Evelyn.""
A sound escaped her throat.
"What?""
"His death was staged.""
Marcus grabbed the phone.
"That's impossible!""
Samuel's voice became urgent.
"Listen to me. Your father is alive, Marcus. And if Adrian finds out that you have the original documents, he will kill him.""
Then came a sudden crash.
A muffled shout.
And the sound of something falling.
"Samuel?""
No answer.
"Samuel!""
The call disconnected.
Marcus stared at the phone.
Daniel immediately dialed emergency services.
Evelyn couldn't move.
Her husband.
The man she had buried.
The man whose ashes she had kept beside her bedside for nearly two years.
Alive?
It couldn't be true.
It was too cruel to believe.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message from the same unknown number.
This time, there was no photograph.
Only a sentence.
Your husband has been waiting for you, Evelyn. But you have only until midnight to find him.
Evelyn looked at the grandfather clock.
11:47 p.m.
Thirteen minutes.
And beneath the message was an address.
Not the warehouse.
May you like
Not Dr. Reed's clinic.
It was the cemetery where Robert Williams had supposedly been buried.
