Chapter 6: The## Chapter 6: The Confession That Could Destroy Us All
For several Confession That Could Destroy Us All
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Eleanor held her seconds, nobody moved.
Eleanor held her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Peter Lawson phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Peter Lawson stood beside the bed, his tablet forgotten in his hand.
I could hear the fetal stood beside the bed, his tablet forgotten in his hand. I could hear the fetal monitor ticking softly, measuring the life inside me while the adults around me struggled monitor ticking softly, measuring the life inside me while the adults around me struggled to comprehend the possibility that a dead man had ordered my father's death.
E to comprehend the possibility that a dead man had ordered my father's death.
Eleanor finally spoke.
“Daniel, repeat what you just said.””
A faint rustling came throughleanor finally spoke.
“Daniel, repeat what you just said.””
A faint rustling came through the speaker.
“Richard Hale ordered the car that followed Thomas Bennett. Your husband knew the speaker.
“Richard Hale ordered the car that followed Thomas Bennett. Your husband knew about it.””
“My husband is dead.””
“I know.””
“And you are telling me that the man I about it.””
“My husband is dead.””
“I know.””
“And you are telling me that the man I loved for forty years arranged for a man to die?””
“I'm telling you what loved for forty years arranged for a man to die?””
“I'm telling you what I should have told the police twenty-eight years ago.””
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“Were I should have told the police twenty-eight years ago.””
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“Were you there?””
“Yes.””
The answer came without hesitation.
I felt my stomach tighten, and you there?””
“Yes.””
The answer came without hesitation.
I felt my stomach tighten, and this time it had nothing to do with the pregnancy.
Peter leaned this time it had nothing to do with the pregnancy.
Peter leaned toward the phone.
“Daniel, this is Peter Lawson. I'm recording the details of this conversation for the investigation toward the phone.
“Daniel, this is Peter Lawson. I'm recording the details of this conversation for the investigation. Are you willing to provide a formal statement?””
“No,” Daniel replied.
Peter's jaw tightened.
“Then. Are you willing to provide a formal statement?””
“No,” Daniel replied.
Peter's jaw tightened.
“Then why are you calling?””
“Because Marcus has made a terrible mistake, and I won't let history why are you calling?””
“Because Marcus has made a terrible mistake, and I won't let history repeat itself.””
My blood ran cold.
“What mistake?”” I demanded.
Daniel went silent.
repeat itself.””
My blood ran cold.
“What mistake?”” I demanded.
Daniel went silent.
I leaned toward the phone.
“Daniel, my mother is missing. If you know anything about what happened to myI leaned toward the phone.
“Daniel, my mother is missing. If you know anything about what happened to my father, you will tell us now.””
“I don't know where your mother is.””
“But you know something.””
father, you will tell us now.””
“I don't know where your mother is.””
“But you know something.””
“Yes.””
“Then talk.””
He exhaled shakily.
“Thomas discovered that Richard had been“Yes.””
“Then talk.””
He exhaled shakily.
“Thomas discovered that Richard had been moving money through shell companies. Some of the funds belonged to investors who had trusted the family. moving money through shell companies.
Some of the funds belonged to investors who had trusted the family. Others were connected to a private account Richard used to conceal business Others were connected to a private account Richard used to conceal business losses. Thomas made copies of everything.””
“And you helped Richard cover it up?”” Peter asked.
“I was losses. Thomas made copies of everything.””
“And you helped Richard cover it up?”” Peter asked.
“I was a junior attorney. Richard told me the discrepancies were accounting a junior attorney. Richard told me the discrepancies were accounting errors. By the time I realized what was happening, Thomas had already threatened to expose him.””
“You said Richard wasn't errors. By the time I realized what was happening, Thomas had already threatened to expose him.””
“You said Richard wasn't the only person involved,” Eleanor reminded him.
“Who else?””
“My husband the only person involved,” Eleanor reminded him.
“Who else?””
“My husband knew about the investigation,” she added bitter knew about the investigation,” she added bitterly, correcting herself.
“I mean your father, Marcus's father. Tell me what he didly, correcting herself.
“I mean your father, Marcus's father. Tell me what he did.””
Daniel took a long breath.
“Richard was afraid of losing the company. He had spent years building a reputation as a brilliant businessman, and he believed that a public.””
Daniel took a long breath.
“Richard was afraid of losing the company. He had spent years building a reputation as a brilliant businessman, and he believed that a public investigation would destroy everything. He asked me to arrange a meeting with Thomas.
I thought investigation would destroy everything. He asked me to arrange a meeting with Thomas. I thought he wanted to negotiate.””
“But he wanted to frighten him into he wanted to negotiate.””
“But he wanted to frighten him into silence,” Peter said.
“Yes.””
“Was that when the car followed Thomas?””
“Yes silence,” Peter said.
“Yes.””
“Was that when the car followed Thomas?””
“Yes.””
Eleanor's face crumpled.
“Did Richard order someone to kill him?””
“I never.””
Eleanor's face crumpled.
“Did Richard order someone to kill him?””
“I never heard those exact words.””
“Then what did you hear?””
Daniel's answer was barely heard those exact words.””
“Then what did you hear?””
Daniel's answer was barely audible.
“He told the driver that Thomas must never reach the attorney with those records.””
I covered my mouth.
My audible.
“He told the driver that Thomas must never reach the attorney with those records.””
I covered my mouth.
My father hadn't died because the road was wet.
He had died because he knew too father hadn't died because the road was wet.
He had died because he knew too much.
And someone had decided that his life was worth less than a business empire.
“Why didn't much.
And someone had decided that his life was worth less than a business empire.
“Why didn't you tell the police?”” I asked.
Daniel was quiet for several seconds.
“Because I was twenty-nine years old, and you tell the police?”” I asked.
Daniel was quiet for several seconds.
“Because I was twenty-nine years old, and I was afraid. Richard told me that if I spoke, he would destroy my career. He had connections everywhere. He said I was afraid.
Richard told me that if I spoke, he would destroy my career. He had connections everywhere. He said he could make me look like the person responsible for the missing money.””
“So he could make me look like the person responsible for the missing money.””
“So you let my mother believe her husband died in an accident.””
“Yes.””
“You let me grow you let my mother believe her husband died in an accident.””
“Yes.””
“You let me grow up without knowing what happened to my father.””
“Yes.””
“You let me marry Marcus.””
“I up without knowing what happened to my father.””
“Yes.””
“You let me marry Marcus.””
“I didn't know you were Thomas Bennett's daughter until after the wedding.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Conven didn't know you were Thomas Bennett's daughter until after the wedding.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Convenient.””
“I understand why you don't believe me.””
“No, you don't. You understand that youient.””
“I understand why you don't believe me.””
“No, you don't. You understand that you might finally be held responsible.””
Peter stepped closer to the phone.
“Daniel, might finally be held responsible.””
Peter stepped closer to the phone.
“Daniel, where are you right now?””
“My office.””
“Stay there. An investigator will contact where are you right now?””
“My office.””
“Stay there. An investigator will contact you.””
“No.””
Peter's expression hardened.
“That's not a request.””
“I you.””
“No.””
Peter's expression hardened.
“That's not a request.””
“I have documents you need to see, but I won't hand them over without protection have documents you need to see, but I won't hand them over without protection.””
“Protection from whom?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said, “Marcus.””
My husband's name sounded different.””
“Protection from whom?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said, “Marcus.””
My husband's name sounded different in that room now.
Not like the name of the man I had married.
in that room now.
Not like the name of the man I had married.
Like the name of a threat.
Eleanor straightened.
“Why would Marcus want you silLike the name of a threat.
Eleanor straightened.
“Why would Marcus want you silenced?””
“Because he found out that I retained copies of the original files. He's been trying to locateenced?””
“Because he found out that I retained copies of the original files. He's been trying to locate them for months.””
“The files concerning Thomas?”” Peter asked.
“Those, and the company's more them for months.””
“The files concerning Thomas?”” Peter asked.
“Those, and the company's more recent transactions. Marcus believed I had destroyed the old records. He didn't know I kept them.””
I stared at the phone recent transactions. Marcus believed I had destroyed the old records. He didn't know I kept them.””
I stared at the phone.
“Does Marcus know about my father's death?””
“He knows there.
“Does Marcus know about my father's death?””
“He knows there were irregularities in the original investigation. He may know more than that.””
“ were irregularities in the original investigation. He may know more than that.””
“Did he arrange for someone to follow my mother?””
“I can'tDid he arrange for someone to follow my mother?””
“I can't say.””
“Did he send Vivian to the hotel to humiliate me?””
Daniel paused.
“I don't say.””
“Did he send Vivian to the hotel to humiliate me?””
Daniel paused.
“I don't know.””
“Did he try to steal my child's inheritance?””
“I saw the documents concerning the proposed waiver. know.””
“Did he try to steal my child's inheritance?””
“I saw the documents concerning the proposed waiver. I told him the arrangement was legally questionable. He insisted that everything had been approved I told him the arrangement was legally questionable. He insisted that everything had been approved.””
“And you still represented him?””
“I should have withdrawn.””
.””
“And you still represented him?””
“I should have withdrawn.””
The admission made me angrier than another denial would have.
IThe admission made me angrier than another denial would have.
I turned away from the phone.
I didn't want another carefully worded apology from a man who had turned away from the phone.
I didn't want another carefully worded apology from a man who had spent decades choosing his career over the truth.
Peter took control of the conversation.
spent decades choosing his career over the truth.
Peter took control of the conversation.
“Daniel, send me the location of the original files. Do not delete anything.“Daniel, send me the location of the original files. Do not delete anything. Do not contact Marcus.””
“I'll send the location, but I need you to understand Do not contact Marcus.””
“I'll send the location, but I need you to understand something. The documents aren't enough to establish who ordered Thomas's death. We need the something.
The documents aren't enough to establish who ordered Thomas's death. We need the driver.””
“Who was he?””
“His name was Frank Dwy driver.””
“Who was he?””
“His name was Frank Dwyer. He worked for Richard's private security contractor.””
Peter exchanged a look with Eleanor.
“Is he alive?””
“Ier. He worked for Richard's private security contractor.””
Peter exchanged a look with Eleanor.
“Is he alive?””
“I don't know.””
“Where was he last known to be?””
“North Carolina, don't know.””
“Where was he last known to be?””
“North Carolina, according to the last record I saw. But that was years ago.””
Peter wrote the according to the last record I saw. But that was years ago.””
Peter wrote the name down.
“Send me everything you have.””
“I will.””
The call ended.
Eleanor sat down heavily.
name down.
“Send me everything you have.””
“I will.””
The call ended.
Eleanor sat down heavily.
For the first time since I had met her, she looked completely defeated.
“My husband,” she whispered.
“TheFor the first time since I had met her, she looked completely defeated.
“My husband,” she whispered.
“The man who held my hand when I gave birth to Marcus. The man who stood beside me at man who held my hand when I gave birth to Marcus. The man who stood beside me at our son's wedding. The man who taught Marcus to ride a bicycle.””
Her voice broke.
“How our son's wedding. The man who taught Marcus to ride a bicycle.””
Her voice broke.
“How could he have done this?””
I didn't know what to say.
I had spent the past few hours discovering that the family could he have done this?””
I didn't know what to say.
I had spent the past few hours discovering that the family I married into was built on secrets. I couldn't imagine the pain of discovering that the person you loved most I married into was built on secrets. I couldn't imagine the pain of discovering that the person you loved most had helped create them.
But I couldn't comfort her.
Not yet.
“My father is had helped create them.
But I couldn't comfort her.
Not yet.
“My father is dead,” I said quietly.
“And my mother is missing.””
Eleanor nodded, tears slipping down her face.
“You're right.””
She dead,” I said quietly.
“And my mother is missing.””
Eleanor nodded, tears slipping down her face.
“You're right.””
She stood and walked to the window.
“I won't ask you to forgive my family. I won't ask you to protect Marcus. Whatever happened stood and walked to the window.
“I won't ask you to forgive my family. I won't ask you to protect Marcus. Whatever happened, you and your child deserve the truth.””
Peter's phone vibrated.
He read the message and immediately called, you and your child deserve the truth.””
Peter's phone vibrated.
He read the message and immediately called the number back.
“Where did you get this information?””
He listened.
“When the number back.
“Where did you get this information?””
He listened.
“When was the last confirmed sighting?””
Another pause.
“Send me the footage immediately.””
He was the last confirmed sighting?””
Another pause.
“Send me the footage immediately.””
He ended the call and turned toward us.
“The police have located a vehicle associated with the security company. It was parked near ended the call and turned toward us.
“The police have located a vehicle associated with the security company. It was parked near Claire's mother's house earlier today.””
My heart lurched.
“Was she Claire's mother's house earlier today.””
My heart lurched.
“Was she inside?””
“They don't know. The vehicle was captured on a street camera leaving the area approximately inside?””
“They don't know. The vehicle was captured on a street camera leaving the area approximately twenty minutes after your mother received the call from Daniel.””
“Can they identify the driver?””
twenty minutes after your mother received the call from Daniel.””
“Can they identify the driver?””
“Not yet.””
I grabbed the blanket.
“Then what are we waiting for? Find“Not yet.””
I grabbed the blanket.
“Then what are we waiting for? Find her!””
Peter's voice softened.
“Claire, the police are already working on it. We need to avoid alert her!””
Peter's voice softened.
“Claire, the police are already working on it. We need to avoid alerting anyone who might be involved.””
I hated how reasonable he sounded.
I hated that I was stucking anyone who might be involved.””
I hated how reasonable he sounded.
I hated that I was stuck in a hospital bed while someone might be holding my mother somewhere, frightened and alone in a hospital bed while someone might be holding my mother somewhere, frightened and alone.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A message appeared.
**If you want your.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A message appeared.
*If you want your mother back, stop asking questions about Thomas Bennett.*
A second message followed.
It contained mother back, stop asking questions about Thomas Bennett.**
A second message followed.
It contained a photograph of my mother sitting in a chair.
Her hands were tied in front of her.
Her a photograph of my mother sitting in a chair.
Her hands were tied in front of her.
Her face was pale, and a strip of tape covered her mouth.
Behind her stood a man wearing face was pale, and a strip of tape covered her mouth.
Behind her stood a man wearing a dark jacket.
I couldn't see his face.
But I recognized the watch on his wrist.
Marcus had given me one a dark jacket.
I couldn't see his face.
But I recognized the watch on his wrist.
Marcus had given me one just like it for our second wedding anniversary. It was a limited-edition Hale family just like it for our second wedding anniversary. It was a limited-edition Hale family design, engraved with the company's crest.
I stared at the photograph until my vision blurred.
“It's design, engraved with the company's crest.
I stared at the photograph until my vision blurred.
“It's my mother,” I whispered.
Eleanor rushed to my side.
“What is it?””
I showed my mother,” I whispered.
Eleanor rushed to my side.
“What is it?””
I showed her the screen.
She made a strangled sound.
Peter immediately photographed the message and her the screen.
She made a strangled sound.
Peter immediately photographed the message and contacted the police.
“Don't respond,” he told me.
“We need to preserve the evidence.””
I barely contacted the police.
“Don't respond,” he told me.
“We need to preserve the evidence.””
I barely heard him.
My mother was alive.
For now.
And someone was using her to silence me.
Another message arrived.
** heard him.
My mother was alive.
For now.
And someone was using her to silence me.
Another message arrived.
*You have one hour to convince Eleanor to withdraw the investigation. Otherwise, your mother paysYou have one hour to convince Eleanor to withdraw the investigation. Otherwise, your mother pays for what your father did.*
I looked at Eleanor.
“They want you to stop.””
Her for what your father did.**
I looked at Eleanor.
“They want you to stop.””
Her expression changed from grief to fury.
“They won't get what they want.””
“They'll hurt expression changed from grief to fury.
“They won't get what they want.””
“They'll hurt her.””
“We will find her.””
“How can you promise that?””
She took my her.””
“We will find her.””
“How can you promise that?””
She took my hand.
“Because I will not let another member of your family suffer for the mistakes of mine.””
I wanted to believe her, but promises hand.
“Because I will not let another member of your family suffer for the mistakes of mine.””
I wanted to believe her, but promises had become worthless to me.
Marcus had promised to love me forever.
His father had apparently had become worthless to me.
Marcus had promised to love me forever.
His father had apparently promised to protect the family business.
Daniel had promised to keep the truth safe.
Every promise had concealed another betrayal promised to protect the family business.
Daniel had promised to keep the truth safe.
Every promise had concealed another betrayal.
I turned toward Peter.
“What can I do?””
“Nothing that puts you or.
I turned toward Peter.
“What can I do?””
“Nothing that puts you or the baby in danger. Let the police handle the threat.””
“But I can't just sit here.””
“You can help the baby in danger. Let the police handle the threat.””
“But I can't just sit here.””
“You can help by telling us everything you know about Marcus's habits, his associates, and any places he might use by telling us everything you know about Marcus's habits, his associates, and any places he might use to hold someone without attracting attention.””
I forced myself to think.
Marcus owned to hold someone without attracting attention.””
I forced myself to think.
Marcus owned several properties through his company. There was our house, a small apartment in the city, and a lakeside property several properties through his company. There was our house, a small apartment in the city, and a lakeside property his father had purchased years ago.
Then I remembered something.
“There's an his father had purchased years ago.
Then I remembered something.
“There's an old house in Westchester,” I said.
“Marcus told me his old house in Westchester,” I said.
“Marcus told me his father used it for private meetings. It's been empty for years, but the staff still maintain the grounds.””
Peter father used it for private meetings. It's been empty for years, but the staff still maintain the grounds.””
Peter wrote down the address.
“Does Marcus have access?””
“Yes. He showed wrote down the address.
“Does Marcus have access?””
“Yes. He showed me the place once when we were dating. He said it was where his father kept important business records.””
Eleanor me the place once when we were dating. He said it was where his father kept important business records.””
Eleanor's head snapped toward me.
“Did he ever mention the security contractor?””
's head snapped toward me.
“Did he ever mention the security contractor?””
“No. But he said his father trusted only a few people with the keys.””
Peter immediately rel“No. But he said his father trusted only a few people with the keys.””
Peter immediately relayed the information to the police.
Then he received another call.
He listened, his face growing increasingly grim.
“Whatayed the information to the police.
Then he received another call.
He listened, his face growing increasingly grim.
“What do you mean, the property is occupied?””
He paced toward the door do you mean, the property is occupied?””
He paced toward the door.
“Do not approach the building. Wait for the tactical team.””
He ended the call.
My.
“Do not approach the building. Wait for the tactical team.””
He ended the call.
My heart pounded.
“What happened?””
“The police checked the property records. The house is still owned heart pounded.
“What happened?””
“The police checked the property records. The house is still owned by a company connected to the Hale family. A patrol officer drove past it ten minutes by a company connected to the Hale family. A patrol officer drove past it ten minutes ago and saw a vehicle matching the description from the street camera.””
“My mother is there?””
“We ago and saw a vehicle matching the description from the street camera.””
“My mother is there?””
“We don't know yet.””
“Then go!””
Peter shook his head.
“The police are assembling a team. They don't know yet.””
“Then go!””
Peter shook his head.
“The police are assembling a team. They won't rush in without a plan.””
I pressed both hands over my stomach and tried to breathe.
won't rush in without a plan.””
I pressed both hands over my stomach and tried to breathe.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tear the hospital room apart. I wanted to call Marcus and demand that he tellI wanted to scream.
I wanted to tear the hospital room apart. I wanted to call Marcus and demand that he tell me where my mother was.
But the baby moved beneath my palm.
A gentle flutter.
A me where my mother was.
But the baby moved beneath my palm.
A gentle flutter.
A reminder that I had to think beyond my fear.
I looked at Eleanor.
“If Marcus is behind this, I want him to know something reminder that I had to think beyond my fear.
I looked at Eleanor.
“If Marcus is behind this, I want him to know something.””
“What?””
“I am done protecting him.””
She nodded slowly.
“Then.””
“What?””
“I am done protecting him.””
She nodded slowly.
“Then we'll make sure he can never use your silence against you again.””
Peter's phone rang once more.
He we'll make sure he can never use your silence against you again.””
Peter's phone rang once more.
He answered and listened without speaking.
Then he looked at me.
“They found the answered and listened without speaking.
Then he looked at me.
“They found the vehicle.””
“Where?””
“At the Westchester property.””
I gripped vehicle.””
“Where?””
“At the Westchester property.””
I gripped the bedrail.
“Did they find my mother?””
Peter's expression was unreadable.
“They found someone the bedrail.
“Did they find my mother?””
Peter's expression was unreadable.
“They found someone inside the house.””
My breath caught.
“Who?””
He hesitated.
Then he delivered the words that made the room inside the house.””
My breath caught.
“Who?””
He hesitated.
Then he delivered the words that made the room feel suddenly airless.
“Marcus Hale.””
Eleanor stood feel suddenly airless.
“Marcus Hale.””
Eleanor stood abruptly.
“Where is Claire's mother?””
Peter looked down at his phone.
“The house is empty except for Marcus. But the police have found something else.””
“What?””
He turned the screen toward me.
It was a photograph taken inside the property.
On a desk sat a leather folder, a glass of water, and a document bearing my name.
Beside it lay my abruptly.
“Where is Claire's mother?””
Peter looked down at his phone.
“The house is empty except for Marcus. But the police have found something else.””
“What?””
He turned the screen toward me.
It was a photograph taken inside the property.
On a desk sat a leather folder, a glass of water, and a document bearing my name.
Beside it lay my mother's wedding ring.
I stared at the image.
My mother never took that ring off.
Not after mother's wedding ring.
I stared at the image.
My mother never took that ring off.
Not after my father died. Not when she worked in the pharmacy. Not even when her hands swelled during the my father died.
Not when she worked in the pharmacy. Not even when her hands swelled during the summer heat.
And now it was sitting on Marcus's desk.
A final message appeared on my phone.
**Ask summer heat.
And now it was sitting on Marcus's desk.
A final message appeared on my phone.
*Ask your husband why he needed your mother to sign the original agreement.*
I looked at Eleanor.
“What original your husband why he needed your mother to sign the original agreement.**
I looked at Eleanor.
“What original agreement?””
She had gone pale again.
“The document your father agreement?””
She had gone pale again.
“The document your father was supposed to deliver to the authorities,” she whispered.
“The one that could prove what Richard was supposed to deliver to the authorities,” she whispered.
“The one that could prove what Richard did.””
I stared at her in disbelief.
“You told me my father did.””
I stared at her in disbelief.
“You told me my father made copies.””
“He did. But there was one original document he never found a way to deliver.””
made copies.””
“He did. But there was one original document he never found a way to deliver.””
“What was it?””
Eleanor looked at the photograph of my mother's ring.
Then she looked at me.
“It was a confession.””
“What was it?””
Eleanor looked at the photograph of my mother's ring.
Then she looked at me.
“It was a confession.””
“Whose confession?””
Her lips trembled.
“Richard Hale's.””
Before I“Whose confession?””
Her lips trembled.
“Richard Hale's.””
Before I could ask another question, Peter's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds, then closed his could ask another question, Peter's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds, then closed his eyes.
When he opened them, he looked directly at me.
“Claire, the eyes.
When he opened them, he looked directly at me.
“Claire, the police have arrested Marcus.””
My heart seemed to stop.
“Then where is my mother?””
Peter swallowed.
police have arrested Marcus.””
My heart seemed to stop.
“Then where is my mother?””
Peter swallowed.
“Marcus claims he doesn't know.””
I stared at him.
“Then why was her ring“Marcus claims he doesn't know.””
I stared at him.
“Then why was her ring on his desk?””
Peter didn't answer.
Instead, he enlarged the photograph and pointed to a small detail I on his desk?””
Peter didn't answer.
Instead, he enlarged the photograph and pointed to a small detail I hadn't noticed.
Beneath the desk, partially hidden by a shadow, was a second hadn't noticed.
Beneath the desk, partially hidden by a shadow, was a second phone.
Its screen was illuminated.
A message was visible.
**The mother is phone.
Its screen was illuminated.
A message was visible.
*The mother is secured. The daughter will sign.*
And beneath it was a contact name secured. The daughter will sign.**
And beneath it was a contact name.
Not Marcus.
Not Vivian.
Not Daniel.
*Eleanor Hale.*.
Not Marcus.
Not Vivian.
May you like
Not Daniel.
*Eleanor Hale.*
