Chapter 7: The Brother Who Sold His Sister Out
Peter Collins arrived at the police station at 9:20 the following morning.
He looked nothing like the confident man Robert remembered from family gatherings.
His jacket was wrinkled.
His hair was uncombed.
And his hands shook whenever Detective Harris asked him a question.
Robert sat beside Daniel in the interview room.
Across the table, Peter kept looking at the floor.
Detective Harris opened a folder.
"Mr. Collins, you've told us that you have information about the false property documents.""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
"You're willing to make a formal statement?""
"Yes.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Before you begin, I want to make something clear. You understand that any statement you make must be truthful?""
Peter swallowed.
"I understand.""
Detective Harris switched on the recording equipment.
"Please explain your involvement.""
Peter rubbed his forehead.
"It started about eight months ago.""
Robert stared at him.
"Eight months?""
Peter nodded.
"Vanessa contacted me. She said Marcus was having problems with the business and needed help securing the family property.""
"What kind of help?"" Robert asked.
Peter avoided his eyes.
"Financial paperwork.""
"Be specific.""
Peter took a breath.
"She wanted to prepare documents showing that you had authorized Marcus to manage your financial affairs.""
Robert felt his stomach tighten.
"Why?""
"She said you were becoming difficult to deal with.""
Robert looked at Daniel.
The solicitor made a note.
Peter continued.
"At first, I thought it was legitimate. Vanessa told me you had agreed to the arrangement.""
"Did you ask me?""
Peter shook his head.
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because Marcus said you wouldn't cooperate if we contacted you.""
Robert leaned back.
"Marcus said that?""
"Yes.""
Detective Harris interrupted.
"Did you prepare any documents?""
Peter nodded.
"I helped create a medical statement using an old template.""
Robert's face hardened.
"You forged a medical report?""
Peter looked ashamed.
"Yes.""
"Did you understand what it would be used for?""
"Vanessa said it would help convince the bank that you needed assistance managing the property.""
Robert stared at him.
"And the accusation?""
Peter hesitated.
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"What accusation?""
Peter looked at Robert.
"The plan to make you leave the house.""
Robert's mouth went dry.
Peter continued.
"Vanessa said that if you were accused of something serious, Marcus would have a reason to remove you immediately.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Did she specifically mention a sexual assault allegation?""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
Robert closed his eyes.
For a moment, he could hear Vanessa's voice again.
Help! Somebody save me!
He remembered the torn blouse.
The smeared lipstick.
The smile she had hidden beneath her tears.
Peter continued.
"She said nobody would believe an old man over a young woman crying for help.""
Robert opened his eyes.
"Did Marcus agree?""
Peter nodded.
"He knew.""
"How?""
"I was there when Vanessa explained it.""
Robert stared at him.
"What did he say?""
Peter hesitated.
Then he answered.
"He said, 'Just make sure Dad doesn't come back after we get him out.''"
Robert looked away.
Those words hurt more than anything Peter had said.
Detective Harris placed several printed messages on the table.
"Are these your conversations with Vanessa?""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
The detective read one aloud.
"'Once Robert is out, Marcus can sign the transfer and we can finish the sale.''"
Another message followed.
"'Don't worry about Evelyn. She'll believe whatever we tell her.''"
Peter lowered his head.
Robert looked toward Daniel.
"How much money did you receive?""
Peter swallowed.
"Thirty thousand pounds.""
Robert stared.
"She paid you to help destroy my life?""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
"Where did the money come from?""
"Marcus's company account.""
Daniel immediately asked, "Do you have proof?""
Peter removed his phone.
"I have the transfer confirmation.""
Detective Harris photographed the screen.
The payment had been made in three installments.
Ten thousand pounds each.
Robert looked at Peter.
"Did you know Vanessa was planning to sell the house?""
Peter nodded.
"Yes.""
"To whom?""
"A property investment company.""
"How much?""
"One million two hundred thousand.""
Robert shook his head.
"The house isn't worth that much.""
Peter looked at him.
"She had already received an advance.""
Robert went still.
"How much?""
"One hundred and fifty thousand.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Where did that money go?""
Peter looked at his hands.
"Some went toward Marcus's debts. Some went into Vanessa's personal account.""
Detective Harris closed the folder.
"Mr. Collins, do you have anything else to disclose?""
Peter hesitated.
Then he looked at Robert.
"There's something about Marcus.""
Robert's chest tightened.
"What?""
Peter took another breath.
"Marcus didn't just know about the accusation. He helped Vanessa arrange the financial documents.""
Robert stared.
"How?""
Peter reached into his briefcase.
He removed a printed email.
The sender was Marcus.
The recipient was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*Father's Financial Authority.*
The message contained only three sentences.
Use the version we discussed.
Make sure the solicitor receives it before Dad gets suspicious.
Once the house is transferred, we can finally clear everything.
Robert felt his hands go cold.
Daniel read the message twice.
"Detective, I believe this should be added to the evidence file.""
Harris nodded.
Peter looked at Robert.
"I'm sorry.""
Robert remained silent.
Peter continued.
"I know I helped them. I know I deserve whatever happens. But I couldn't keep lying.""
Robert finally spoke.
"Why now?""
Peter lowered his eyes.
"Because Vanessa threatened to blame everything on me.""
Robert nodded slowly.
"So you came here because you were afraid of going to prison alone.""
Peter flinched.
"Yes.""
Robert looked at him.
"At least that's honest.""
Outside the police station, Daniel received a call from the bank.
He listened for nearly a minute.
Then he turned toward Robert.
"There's a development.""
"What?""
"The disputed property transfer has been frozen.""
Robert exhaled.
"Good.""
"But the bank has identified several additional transactions.""
"How many?""
"At least fourteen.""
Robert stared.
Daniel showed him the preliminary statement.
The transactions involved Marcus's construction company.
Money had been transferred into two private accounts.
One belonged to Vanessa.
The other belonged to a company registered under Peter's name.
Robert shook his head.
"How much?""
Daniel looked at the total.
"Approximately four hundred thousand pounds.""
Robert sat on the nearby bench.
He felt exhausted.
His son had spent years telling him that the business was struggling.
Robert had believed him.
He had offered money.
He had sold possessions.
He had even postponed his retirement plans to help Marcus keep the company alive.
All while money was disappearing into private accounts.
Daniel sat beside him.
"Robert, we need to discuss the possibility that your son was more involved than we initially believed.""
Robert looked at the road.
"I already know.""
"Are you prepared for that?""
Robert swallowed.
"I don't think a father is ever prepared to discover that his son has been stealing from him.""
That evening, Evelyn called.
Robert almost let the phone ring out.
But something made him answer.
"Hello?""
"Robert?""
Her voice sounded weak.
"What is it, Evelyn?""
"I need to tell you something.""
He remained silent.
"I found some documents in Vanessa's bedroom.""
"What documents?""
"Bank statements. A loan guarantee. And a letter.""
Robert sat upright.
"What letter?""
"It's addressed to Marcus.""
"Read it.""
Evelyn hesitated.
Then she said, "I can't. Not over the phone.""
Robert closed his eyes.
"Bring everything to Daniel tomorrow.""
"Robert, there's something else.""
"What?""
"I think Vanessa used my signature.""
Robert gripped the phone.
"Used it for what?""
"A property transfer.""
"Did you sign anything?""
"No.""
"Are you certain?""
Evelyn began crying.
"I signed a document Marcus gave me months ago. He said it was for the business.""
Robert felt a chill.
"What did it say?""
"I don't know.""
He closed his eyes.
"Evelyn, you have to tell Daniel everything.""
"I will.""
"Even if it hurts Marcus?""
She went silent.
Then she whispered:
"I think I've protected him long enough.""
Robert ended the call.
For the first time since the accusation, he felt that Evelyn might finally be ready to face the truth.
But the following morning, she arrived at Daniel's office carrying a document that changed everything.
It wasn't simply a property guarantee.
It was a declaration stating that Robert had voluntarily surrendered his rights to the family home.
And beneath the declaration was Evelyn's signature.
She looked at Robert and began crying.
"I didn't know what I was signing.""
Daniel examined the document.
Then he looked up.
"Mrs. Williams, do you recognize the second signature?""
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes.""
"Whose is it?""
She swallowed.
"Marcus's.""
Robert stared at the page.
May you like
His son had signed the declaration.
And this time, there was no possible explanation.
