Chapter 4: The Second Key
Vanessa did not move.
Marcus held the handwritten page between two fingers.
“Explain this.””
Her eyes dropped to the sentence.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, “Your father knew.””
“Knew what?””
“That one day you would find out.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“He specifically told me not to trust you.””
“I know.””
“You know?””
Vanessa nodded.
“He told me that too.””
Marcus stared at her.
“He told you I shouldn't trust you?””
“Yes.””
“Then why should I?””
“You shouldn't.””
The answer stopped him.
Vanessa looked exhausted.
“You shouldn't trust anyone right now.””
Marcus glanced toward Ethan.
“And you?””
“I wouldn't.””
Marcus almost laughed.
“This is unbelievable.””
“No,” Ethan said quietly.
“It's exactly what your father expected.””
Marcus folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket.
“Start talking.””
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
“Your father discovered Daniel had been moving money from the company almost two years before he died.””
Marcus frowned.
“How much?””
“Not enough to notice at first.””
“How much?””
“Three hundred thousand.””
Marcus stared.
“Three hundred thousand?””
“Then another six hundred.””
Ethan added, “There were shell companies.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Daniel was stealing from the company?””
“Not exactly.””
“What does that mean?””
“He was moving assets before anyone realized they were missing.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Why didn't Dad tell me?””
“Because he didn't know who he could trust.””
“He could trust me.””
“He thought Daniel was watching you.””
Marcus looked at the document again.
“What was in the trust?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Property.””
“How much?””
“Enough to make Daniel dangerous.””
“How much?””
“Seventeen million.””
Marcus went still.
“Seventeen?””
“Seventeen point four, according to the last valuation.””
The kitchen seemed suddenly too small.
Marcus looked at the expensive shopping bags scattered across the island.
Thirty thousand dollars.
It was nothing compared with seventeen million.
And yet someone had taken Liam because of it.
“Where is the trust now?””
“Frozen.””
“Why?””
“Because Liam is a minor.””
“And when he turns eighteen?””
“It becomes his.””
Marcus swallowed.
“How long?””
“Six years.””
“Six years?””
“Yes.””
Marcus stared at Vanessa.
“Then why take him now?””
Her face tightened.
“Because someone discovered the trust had been moved.””
“Moved where?””
“To an offshore holding structure.””
Marcus looked at Ethan.
“Did you do that?””
“I helped your father establish it.””
“Before he died?””
“Yes.””
“And Vanessa?””
“She became trustee.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Why was I excluded?””
“Because your father believed your brothers would use you.””
“Use me how?””
Ethan looked at him.
“They'd force you to sign.””
Marcus's stomach tightened.
“Sign what?””
“Control documents.””
Vanessa spoke softly.
“Daniel doesn't need you dead.””
Marcus looked at her.
“He only needs you frightened enough to cooperate.””
A noise came from upstairs.
All three looked toward the ceiling.
Marcus moved first.
“Liam?””
Nothing.
He ran up the stairs.
Brandon and Kayden were standing in the hallway.
“What happened?”” Marcus demanded.
Brandon shook his head.
“We heard something.””
“Where?””
“Liam's room.””
Marcus pushed past them.
The bedroom was empty.
The window remained open.
He checked the closet.
Bathroom.
Under the bed.
Nothing.
Then he noticed the desk.
A small envelope sat beneath Liam's lamp.
Marcus picked it up.
His name was written across the front.
*DAD.*
His hands began to shake.
He opened it.
Inside was a brass key.
And a note.
Dad, Grandpa said you would know what this opens.
Marcus stared at the key.
There was a tiny engraving.
*417.*
Ethan came into the room.
“What is it?””
Marcus held it up.
“Four-one-seven.””
Ethan's expression changed.
He looked at Vanessa.
She whispered:
“No.””
“What?””
“That key shouldn't exist.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“Why?””
“Because your father destroyed it.””
“Destroyed what?””
“The box.””
“What box?””
Ethan answered.
“Your father's safe-deposit box.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Where?””
“First National Bank.””
“Which branch?””
“Downtown.””
Marcus checked the note again.
Nothing else.
He turned to Brandon.
“Did Liam leave anything else?””
Brandon looked frightened.
“No.””
Kayden shook his head.
Marcus crouched.
“Think.””
Kayden hesitated.
Then said, “He told me something yesterday.””
“What?””
“He said Grandpa left him something.””
Marcus’s heart pounded.
“What exactly?””
Kayden swallowed.
“He said if you ever asked why he was different from us, I should tell you to look behind the blue picture.””
Marcus frowned.
“What blue picture?””
Kayden pointed toward the hallway.
“Downstairs.””
Marcus followed his finger.
On the wall near the staircase hung an old photograph.
His father.
Marcus.
Daniel.
Richard.
Four men standing outside the family factory.
The frame was blue.
Marcus pulled it off the wall.
Behind it was a recessed compartment.
Inside sat a small black box.
He removed it.
Vanessa whispered, “Marcus…”
He ignored her.
The box had a fingerprint lock.
He placed his thumb against it.
The lid clicked.
Inside was a flash drive.
And another photograph.
Marcus picked up the photograph.
His father stood beside a young woman.
A baby was in her arms.
Marcus recognized the woman immediately.
Vanessa.
But the baby wasn't Liam.
The child looked much younger.
And written on the back were six words.
*This is the night everything changed.*
Marcus turned the photograph over again.
His eyes locked on the date.
Twelve years earlier.
Then he noticed something else.
A hospital bracelet had been taped to the back.
*BABY BOY — COLE.*
Marcus's voice barely came out.
“Vanessa.””
She looked at him.
“Why does this say Cole?””
Vanessa started crying.
Before she could answer, Marcus's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Where's my son?””
Daniel spoke.
“Safe.””
“Put him on.””
A pause.
Then Liam's voice came through.
“Dad?””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“I'm here.””
“I'm scared.””
“I know.””
“Don't give them Grandpa's box.””
Marcus looked at the black box in his hand.
“Liam, listen to me. Where are you?””
The boy whispered:
“I don't know.””
A man's voice interrupted.
“That's enough.””
Marcus shouted.
“Daniel!””
The line went silent.
Then Daniel returned.
“You have ten minutes.””
“For what?””
“To bring the box.””
“And if I don't?””
Daniel's voice was calm.
“Then you'll never meet the real Liam again.””
The call ended.
Marcus stared at the phone.
Vanessa's face had gone white.
Ethan whispered:
“What did he mean by real Liam?””
May you like
Marcus slowly turned toward her.
“That's what I'd like to know.””
