Chapter 4: My Sister's Last Message
I forgot there were two hundred people in the room.
I forgot I was wearing a wedding suit.
I forgot the woman standing beside me was supposed to become my wife.
All I could see was Emily's face.
My little sister.
The girl who used to steal my fries, hide my car keys, and call me whenever she had a bad day.
The woman who had trusted me to protect her daughter.
On the screen, Emily took a shaky breath.
“Marcus, I know you're going to be angry with me. I should have told you earlier, but I was afraid.””
She looked over her shoulder.
Then back at the camera.
“Vanessa has been asking questions about Lily's father.””
I frowned.
Emily's husband, James, had died when Lily was two. A heart condition had taken him unexpectedly.
At least, that was what Emily had told us.
I had never questioned it.
Emily continued.
“After James died, Vanessa started visiting me more often. She said she wanted to help. At first, I believed her.””
The video flickered.
Emily wiped her eyes.
“But she wasn't helping me. She was looking for documents. She wanted Lily's birth records, James's old files, and the paperwork from his estate.””
I looked toward Evelyn.
She was crying silently.
I turned back to the screen.
“Why would Vanessa care about Lily's inheritance?””
Emily seemed to hear my question.
“Because James left something behind. Something Vanessa and Richard believe belongs to them.””
The screen went black for a second.
Then a new recording began.
Emily was sitting at a kitchen table with a folder in front of her.
She opened it.
Inside were several legal documents.
I recognized the logo of a financial institution.
Then I saw the name.
James Carter.
Lily's father.
Emily explained that James had worked as a financial analyst before his death. Shortly before he died, he had discovered suspicious transactions connected to several investment companies.
He had copied the records and placed them in a private trust.
The trust named Lily as its sole beneficiary.
Its estimated value was more than eight million dollars.
I stared at the screen.
Eight million.
My niece had inherited eight million dollars.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Did you know?””
She nodded slowly.
“Emily told me.””
“When?””
“After James died.””
“Why didn't she tell me?””
Evelyn's voice cracked.
“She wanted to keep Lily away from the people who had been looking for those documents.””
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
It was a strange, bitter sound.
“Oh, please. You're making this sound like some criminal conspiracy.””
I turned toward her.
“Is there another explanation?””
“James was involved in shady investments. Emily was obsessed with money. She became convinced everyone was trying to steal from her.””
I looked at Richard.
“Did you know about the trust?””
He said nothing.
That was enough.
Emily's recording continued.
“Marcus, James left more than money. He left evidence. The files in the trust show that Richard used my husband's research to create fraudulent investment reports.””
I felt sick.
Richard had not only stolen from my company.
He had apparently been involved in whatever had destroyed James's professional life.
Emily leaned closer to the camera.
“James tried to expose him. Two months later, James died.””
A murmur moved through the ballroom.
I could barely hear the next words.
“I don't know if Richard caused his death. I can't prove that. But I know he was investigating James before the accident.””
I closed my eyes.
When I opened them, Emily was crying.
“Marcus, please protect Lily. The trust becomes accessible to her when she turns eighteen, but someone can petition for control of it before then.””
I glanced at Vanessa.
She looked away.
Emily continued.
“Vanessa has been trying to become your wife because she believes marriage will give her access to your estate and influence over Lily's guardianship.””
My stomach twisted.
I had never realized how often Vanessa had discussed becoming Lily's legal guardian.
She used to say Evelyn was getting older.
She said Lily needed a younger woman.
She said she would love to have a daughter.
I had believed every word.
The video reached its final minute.
Emily leaned closer to the camera.
“There's one more thing, Marcus.””
She swallowed.
“Lily knows something about the night I died. She saw someone at the road before the crash. She hasn't told anyone because she was threatened.””
I turned toward Lily.
She was staring at the screen.
“Sweetheart?””
She looked down.
“Did you see someone that night?””
Her lower lip trembled.
Emily's voice continued.
“Please don't pressure her. Let her speak when she feels safe.””
Then the video ended.
The room remained silent.
I crouched in front of Lily.
“Did someone threaten you?””
She nodded.
“Who?””
She glanced toward Vanessa.
Then toward Richard.
Finally, she whispered:
“Uncle Marcus, the man who came to Mommy's car wasn't a stranger.””
I felt my heart pounding.
“Who was he?””
Lily's eyes filled.
“He was the man who told me Mommy was sleeping.””
My throat tightened.
“What man?””
She looked toward the screen.
Then at Richard.
And pointed.
“Grandma said I shouldn't say his name.””
Richard's expression changed.
He took a step backward.
I followed Lily's finger.
She wasn't pointing at Richard.
She was pointing at Daniel.
My best friend went completely still.
“Lily,” I whispered, “are you sure?””
She nodded.
“He had the same watch.””
Daniel looked down at his wrist.
A silver watch.
The one I had given him for his fortieth birthday.
I stared at him.
“Daniel?””
He slowly removed the watch.
“I can explain.””
My hands curled into fists.
“Were you at the accident?””
He didn't answer.
“Daniel, were you there?””
He looked at Lily.
Then at me.
May you like
And whispered:
“Yes.””
