Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Uncle Who Was Never Supp: The Uncle Who Was Never Supposed to Exist
I stared at the photograph until the faces beganosed to Exist
I stared at the photograph until the faces began to blur.
Marcus was standing beside a rented truck, to blur.
Marcus was standing beside a rented truck, holding one of my mother's wooden storage boxes.
Thomas Bennett stood next to him.
The man my mother had spent eleven years pretending didn't exist.
The man holding one of my mother's wooden storage boxes.
Thomas Bennett stood next to him.
The man my mother had spent eleven years pretending didn't exist.
The man who had supposedly been estranged from her.
The man whose name appeared on a forged document attempting to take control of my unborn child's inheritance.
And Marcus was standing beside him as who had supposedly been estranged from her.
The man whose name appeared on a forged document attempting to take control of my unborn child's inheritance.
And Marcus was standing beside him as if they were old friends.
"How long has this been happening?"" I whispered.
Eleanor took the phone from my hand.
"David, I need you to look at something.""
She showed him the photograph.
He examined if they were old friends.
"How long has this been happening?"" I whispered.
Eleanor took the phone from my hand.
"David, I need you to look at something.""
She showed him the photograph.
He examined it carefully, then enlarged the image.
"Do we know when this was taken?""
"According to the storage facility, it carefully, then enlarged the image.
"Do we know when this was taken?""
"According to the storage facility, approximately three hours ago," Eleanor replied.
David immediately called the facility manager.
I walked toward the window.
My hands were trembling.
Marcus had known approximately three hours ago," Eleanor replied.
David immediately called the facility manager.
I walked toward the window.
My hands were trembling.
Marcus had known where my mother's belongings were. He had helped me move them. He had told me everything was safe.
And now he was removing them.
"What where my mother's belongings were. He had helped me move them. He had told me everything was safe.
And now he was removing them.
"What was in those boxes?"" Eleanor asked gently.
I closed my eyes.
"Photographs. My was in those boxes?"" Eleanor asked gently.
I closed my eyes.
"Photographs. My mother's clothes. Her old diaries.
Some medical records. Letters.""
"Anything financial?""
"Not that I knew of.""
I remembered one particular wooden box.
It had a brass lock and mother's clothes. Her old diaries. Some medical records. Letters.""
"Anything financial?""
"Not that I knew of.""
I remembered one particular wooden box.
It had a brass lock and a small engraved rose on the lid.
My mother used to keep it in the top drawer of her bedroom.
Whenever I asked what was inside, she would smile and say a small engraved rose on the lid.
My mother used to keep it in the top drawer of her bedroom.
Whenever I asked what was inside, she would smile and say, "Things you'll understand when you're older.""
After she died, I had found it among her belongings.
But it had been empty.
, "Things you'll understand when you're older.""
After she died, I had found it among her belongings.
But it had been empty.
At least, that's what I thought.
"There's a box with a brass lock," I said.
Eleanor turned toward me.
"At least, that's what I thought.
"There's a box with a brass lock," I said.
Eleanor turned toward me.
"Do you still have it?""
"I haven't seen it in years.""
David ended his call.
"The facility manager confirmed that Marcus presented a signed authorization toDo you still have it?""
"I haven't seen it in years.""
David ended his call.
"The facility manager confirmed that Marcus presented a signed authorization to remove the belongings.""
"Whose signature?"" I asked.
"Yours.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Another forged signature.
David continued.
"The manager says remove the belongings.""
"Whose signature?"" I asked.
"Yours.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Another forged signature.
David continued.
"The manager says the man accompanying Marcus identified himself as Thomas Bennett. They loaded several boxes into the truck and left.""
"Did the man accompanying Marcus identified himself as Thomas Bennett. They loaded several boxes into the truck and left.""
"Did anyone stop them?""
"No. The paperwork appeared legitimate.""
Eleanor picked up anyone stop them?""
"No. The paperwork appeared legitimate.""
Eleanor picked up her phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
Marcus's name flashed across my screen before she could dial.
I answered.
"Where are my mother's things her phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
Marcus's name flashed across my screen before she could dial.
I answered.
"Where are my mother's things?""
He didn't greet me.
"Claire, listen to me.""
"Where are they?""
"You're getting involved in something you don't?""
He didn't greet me.
"Claire, listen to me.""
"Where are they?""
"You're getting involved in something you don't understand.""
"I understand that you're stealing from me.""
"Those boxes belong to the family.""
"My mother left them to me.""
understand.""
"I understand that you're stealing from me.""
"Those boxes belong to the family.""
"My mother left them to me.""
"Your mother left a lot of things she shouldn't have.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
He sighed.
"Your mother left a lot of things she shouldn't have.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
He sighed.
"Meet me. Alone. We can end this before it gets ugly.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She shook her head.
"Where?"" I asked.
"The old"Meet me. Alone. We can end this before it gets ugly.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She shook her head.
"Where?"" I asked.
"The old Bennett property. Your mother used to live there before she died.""
I frowned.
I knew the address.
It was a small Bennett property. Your mother used to live there before she died.""
I frowned.
I knew the address.
It was a small house outside the city that had been sold shortly after my mother's death.
"Why there?""
"Because that's where Thomas wants to meet you.""
"Put house outside the city that had been sold shortly after my mother's death.
"Why there?""
"Because that's where Thomas wants to meet you.""
"Put him on the phone.""
A short silence followed.
Then a different voice came through.
"Claire?""
I froze.
It was an him on the phone.""
A short silence followed.
Then a different voice came through.
"Claire?""
I froze.
It was an older man's voice.
"Yes.""
"My name is Thomas. I'm your mother's brother.""
"Why did she never tell me about you older man's voice.
"Yes.""
"My name is Thomas. I'm your mother's brother.""
"Why did she never tell me about you?""
He exhaled.
"Because she was protecting you.""
I almost laughed.
"That's what everyone says when?""
He exhaled.
"Because she was protecting you.""
I almost laughed.
"That's what everyone says when they don't want to explain themselves.""
"I understand.""
"Do you?""
"More than you know.""
I they don't want to explain themselves.""
"I understand.""
"Do you?""
"More than you know.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Why are you taking my mother's belongings?""
"Because there's something inside those boxes that could put looked at the photograph again.
"Why are you taking my mother's belongings?""
"Because there's something inside those boxes that could put you in danger.""
"Then bring it to me.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Marcus already has it.""
My blood you in danger.""
"Then bring it to me.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Marcus already has it.""
My blood ran cold.
"What does he have?""
Thomas lowered his voice.
"The original ledger.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She had gone completely still.
Thomas continued.
"The ledger contains every transfer made through the foundation, every person who received money, and every signature author ran cold.
"What does he have?""
Thomas lowered his voice.
"The original ledger.""
I looked at Eleanor.
She had gone completely still.
Thomas continued.
"The ledger contains every transfer made through the foundation, every person who received money, and every signature authorizing those transactions.""
"Why would Marcus want it?""
"Because his father's signature is in it.""
I swallowed.
"Andizing those transactions.""
"Why would Marcus want it?""
"Because his father's signature is in it.""
I swallowed.
"And yours?""
A long pause.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
"So you were involved.""
"I was involved in the investigation. That yours?""
A long pause.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
"So you were involved.""
"I was involved in the investigation. That is not the same thing as stealing the money.""
"Then why did my mother hide you from me?""
"Because I is not the same thing as stealing the money.""
"Then why did my mother hide you from me?""
"Because I made a deal with Robert.""
"What deal?""
Thomas hesitated.
"That if anything happened to Margaret, I would make sure you made a deal with Robert.""
"What deal?""
Thomas hesitated.
"That if anything happened to Margaret, I would make sure you received what belonged to you.""
I looked at Eleanor.
"Robert made a deal with my uncle?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't you tell received what belonged to you.""
I looked at Eleanor.
"Robert made a deal with my uncle?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because the agreement was never completed.""
His voice became strained.
"And because someone made sure your mother died believing me?""
"Because the agreement was never completed.""
His voice became strained.
"And because someone made sure your mother died believing I had betrayed her.""
My chest tightened.
"Who?""
Thomas didn't answer.
Then Marcus interrupted.
"Claire, this conversation is I had betrayed her.""
My chest tightened.
"Who?""
Thomas didn't answer.
Then Marcus interrupted.
"Claire, this conversation is over.""
I heard movement.
Thomas said something I couldn't make out.
Then Marcus returned.
"Tomorrow. Ten in over.""
I heard movement.
Thomas said something I couldn't make out.
Then Marcus returned.
"Tomorrow. Ten in the morning. Come alone.""
He disconnected.
I lowered the phone.
Eleanor immediately shook her head.
"Absolutely not.""
"I'm going.""
"Claire, you are seven months pregnant. That man has already lied to you, the morning. Come alone.""
He disconnected.
I lowered the phone.
Eleanor immediately shook her head.
"Absolutely not.""
"I'm going.""
"Claire, you are seven months pregnant. That man has already lied to you, forged documents, and attempted to manipulate your child's inheritance.""
"I need answers.""
"And you'll get them. But not by walking into a room forged documents, and attempted to manipulate your child's inheritance.""
"I need answers.""
"And you'll get them. But not by walking into a room with two men who have given you every reason not to trust them.""
David nodded.
"We can arrange a controlled meeting with legal representation present with two men who have given you every reason not to trust them.""
David nodded.
"We can arrange a controlled meeting with legal representation present.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Marcus will never agree.""
"Then he can explain to.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Marcus will never agree.""
"Then he can explain to the police why he refuses to return your property.""
I sat down.
For the first time, I wasn't afraid of Marcus's anger.
I was afraid of what he might do if he believed I the police why he refuses to return your property.""
I sat down.
For the first time, I wasn't afraid of Marcus's anger.
I was afraid of what he might do if he believed I was about to discover the truth.
The next morning, David arranged for an independent security team to accompany us.
Eleanor insisted on coming.
was about to discover the truth.
The next morning, David arranged for an independent security team to accompany us.
Eleanor insisted on coming.
I didn't argue.
The old Bennett property stood at the end of a quiet road lined with tall oak trees.
It was a modest two-story house withI didn't argue.
The old Bennett property stood at the end of a quiet road lined with tall oak trees.
It was a modest two-story house with faded white shutters and a small porch.
I remembered visiting it once as a child.
My mother had told me it belonged to a distant relative.
Now I wondered whether she had been lying even then faded white shutters and a small porch.
I remembered visiting it once as a child.
My mother had told me it belonged to a distant relative.
Now I wondered whether she had been lying even then.
A black SUV was parked outside.
Marcus stood on the porch.
Thomas was beside him.
He was a thin man in his late.
A black SUV was parked outside.
Marcus stood on the porch.
Thomas was beside him.
He was a thin man in his late sixties with silver hair and tired eyes.
When he saw me, he took one step forward.
"Claire.""
I stayed beside Eleanor.
"Don't sixties with silver hair and tired eyes.
When he saw me, he took one step forward.
"Claire.""
I stayed beside Eleanor.
"Don't come closer.""
He stopped.
Marcus glanced at Eleanor.
"I specifically asked for Claire.""
"And I specifically decided she come closer.""
He stopped.
Marcus glanced at Eleanor.
"I specifically asked for Claire.""
"And I specifically decided she wouldn't be coming alone," Eleanor replied.
Marcus rolled his eyes.
"Of course.""
Thomas looked at me.
"You look exactly like Margaret.""
I felt my wouldn't be coming alone," Eleanor replied.
Marcus rolled his eyes.
"Of course.""
Thomas looked at me.
"You look exactly like Margaret.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Don't.""
He lowered his head.
"I'm sorry.""
"You're going to have to do better than that throat tighten.
"Don't.""
He lowered his head.
"I'm sorry.""
"You're going to have to do better than that.""
He nodded.
"Fair enough.""
We entered the house.
The living room was almost empty.
A single wooden table stood in the center, covered.""
He nodded.
"Fair enough.""
We entered the house.
The living room was almost empty.
A single wooden table stood in the center, covered with papers and old photographs.
On the table was the brass-locked box.
My mother's box.
I walked with papers and old photographs.
On the table was the brass-locked box.
My mother's box.
I walked toward it.
"Where did you find this?""
Thomas answered.
"Inside the bottom compartment of one of the storage crates.""
I examined the lid.
The toward it.
"Where did you find this?""
Thomas answered.
"Inside the bottom compartment of one of the storage crates.""
I examined the lid.
The engraved rose was still there.
But the lock had been replaced.
Marcus moved toward it.
"Before anyone opens that, we need to discuss engraved rose was still there.
But the lock had been replaced.
Marcus moved toward it.
"Before anyone opens that, we need to discuss the agreement.""
I turned.
"What agreement?""
He placed a document on the table.
"Your mother established a private arrangement with my the agreement.""
I turned.
"What agreement?""
He placed a document on the table.
"Your mother established a private arrangement with my father. The foundation was supposed to transfer a portion of its assets into a protected family account.""
"And?""
"She changed her mind.""
Thomas shook his head.
"That's not what happened.""
Marcus ignored him.
"Your mother refused to authorize father. The foundation was supposed to transfer a portion of its assets into a protected family account.""
"And?""
"She changed her mind.""
Thomas shook his head.
"That's not what happened.""
Marcus ignored him.
"Your mother refused to authorize the final transfer. It created a legal dispute.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Is that true?""
He sighed.
"Partly.""
"Which part?""
"Margaret the final transfer. It created a legal dispute.""
I looked at Thomas.
"Is that true?""
He sighed.
"Partly.""
"Which part?""
"Margaret discovered that the money was being diverted. She refused to sign anything further.""
"Who was diverting it?""
Thomas looked at Marcus discovered that the money was being diverted. She refused to sign anything further.""
"Who was diverting it?""
Thomas looked at Marcus.
"Daniel Cross.""
Marcus slammed his palm against the table.
"That's a lie.""
Thomas didn't flinch.
"Your father knew..
"Daniel Cross.""
Marcus slammed his palm against the table.
"That's a lie.""
Thomas didn't flinch.
"Your father knew. I showed him the records.""
Marcus's face darkened.
"You're blaming a dead man now?""
"I'm I showed him the records.""
Marcus's face darkened.
"You're blaming a dead man now?""
"I'm telling the truth.""
I looked at Marcus.
"Why did you take the boxes?""
He leaned closer.
"Because the ledger inside that box could destroy the company.""
I stared at him.
"So you telling the truth.""
I looked at Marcus.
"Why did you take the boxes?""
He leaned closer.
"Because the ledger inside that box could destroy the company.""
I stared at him.
"So you admit you have it?""
His expression changed.
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Thank you, Marcus. That was admit you have it?""
His expression changed.
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Thank you, Marcus. That was very helpful.""
He turned toward her.
"Stay out of this.""
She smiled coldly.
"You really haven't learned anything.""
I looked at the very helpful.""
He turned toward her.
"Stay out of this.""
She smiled coldly.
"You really haven't learned anything.""
I looked at the box.
"Open it.""
Thomas reached into his pocket.
He removed a small key.
But before he could insert it, Marcus grabbed his wrist.
"Don't.""
Thomas box.
"Open it.""
Thomas reached into his pocket.
He removed a small key.
But before he could insert it, Marcus grabbed his wrist.
"Don't.""
Thomas pulled away.
"Let go of me.""
Marcus's voice dropped.
"You promised.""
Thomas looked at me pulled away.
"Let go of me.""
Marcus's voice dropped.
"You promised.""
Thomas looked at me.
"I promised your mother I would protect you. Not him.""
He inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
Inside were several envelopes.
"I promised your mother I would protect you. Not him.""
He inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
Inside were several envelopes, an old photograph, and a thick black ledger.
I reached for, an old photograph, and a thick black ledger.
I reached for the top envelope.
My name was written across it.
This time, the handwriting was definitely my the top envelope.
My name was written across it.
This time, the handwriting was definitely my mother's.
But before I could open it, Marcus grabbed the ledger.
Eleanor shouted.
David's security officer stepped forward.
Marcus backed away.
"Nobody moves!""
He held the ledger against his chest.
I stared at him.
"Give it back.""
He shook his head.
"You don't mother's.
But before I could open it, Marcus grabbed the ledger.
Eleanor shouted.
David's security officer stepped forward.
Marcus backed away.
"Nobody moves!""
He held the ledger against his chest.
I stared at him.
"Give it back.""
He shook his head.
"You don't understand what's in here.""
"Then explain it.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Your mother wasn't just investigating understand what's in here.""
"Then explain it.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Your mother wasn't just investigating my father.""
He swallowed.
"She was investigating yours.""
I frowned.
"My father?""
Marcus stared at me.
"Claire, your my father.""
He swallowed.
"She was investigating yours.""
I frowned.
"My father?""
Marcus stared at me.
"Claire, your mother never told you who your biological father really was.""
And suddenly, the room became completely mother never told you who your biological father really was.""
May you like
And suddenly, the room became completely silent.
silent.
