Chapter 7: The Name on the## Chapter 7: The Name on the Envelope
Daniel Price had been dead for four years Envelope
Daniel Price had been dead for four years.
I learned that at eleven thirty the following morning, sitting across.
I learned that at eleven thirty the following morning, sitting across from a retired detective named Samuel Brooks.
from a retired detective named Samuel Brooks.
He was not related to me, despite the coincidence of our surnames. Patricia had arranged the meeting after consulting an investigator who specializedHe was not related to me, despite the coincidence of our surnames. Patricia had arranged the meeting after consulting an investigator who specialized in financial fraud.
Samuel had spent thirty years with the Atlanta Police Department before retiring. He wore a brown jacket, carried in financial fraud.
Samuel had spent thirty years with the Atlanta Police Department before retiring. He wore a brown jacket, carried a battered leather notebook, and listened without interrupting.
When I finished explaining what had happened since my birthday, he opened his notebook.
"Daniel Price was a financial controller at a property investment firm," he said. a battered leather notebook, and listened without interrupting.
When I finished explaining what had happened since my birthday, he opened his notebook.
"Daniel Price was a financial controller at a property investment firm," he said.
"He died in a single-car accident on Interstate 285.""
"An accident?""
"That's how it was classified.""
"He died in a single-car accident on Interstate 285.""
"An accident?""
"That's how it was classified.""
"Was anyone else involved?""
"Not according to the original investigation.""
I thought of the typed note beneath my door.
"Why would someone want me to ask my"Was anyone else involved?""
"Not according to the original investigation.""
I thought of the typed note beneath my door.
"Why would someone want me to ask my son about him?""
Samuel tapped his pen against the notebook.
"Because Daniel had been reviewing financial records before son about him?""
Samuel tapped his pen against the notebook.
"Because Daniel had been reviewing financial records before he died. Some of those records concerned companies associated with Marcus Reed.""
I felt the room grow colder.
"Did he find stolen money?""
"He reported irregularities. We don't know whether he uncovered a he died. Some of those records concerned companies associated with Marcus Reed.""
I felt the room grow colder.
"Did he find stolen money?""
"He reported irregularities. We don't know whether he uncovered a criminal scheme, but he had expressed concerns to a colleague.""
"Did he tell anyone else?""
"His wife, apparently criminal scheme, but he had expressed concerns to a colleague.""
"Did he tell anyone else?""
"His wife, apparently.""
Samuel slid a photograph across the table.
A woman in her forties stood beside a man with dark hair and a narrow face. They were smiling in front of a house.""
Samuel slid a photograph across the table.
A woman in her forties stood beside a man with dark hair and a narrow face. They were smiling in front of a house decorated with Christmas lights.
"That's Daniel and his wife, Rachel," he said.
"She has tried to get answers about her husband's death for years.""
decorated with Christmas lights.
"That's Daniel and his wife, Rachel," he said.
"She has tried to get answers about her husband's death for years.""
"Why wasn't the investigation reopened?""
"At the time, there wasn't enough evidence to establish that anything other than an accident had occurred. A"Why wasn't the investigation reopened?""
"At the time, there wasn't enough evidence to establish that anything other than an accident had occurred. A suspicion is not the same as proof.""
I looked at Daniel's photograph.
He looked ordinary. Happy, even.
A man who had probably suspicion is not the same as proof.""
I looked at Daniel's photograph.
He looked ordinary. Happy, even.
A man who had probably expected to go home that evening, eat dinner, and complain about the traffic.
I wondered whether Walter had looked at his photograph.
Whether my husband had known that another family was living with questions expected to go home that evening, eat dinner, and complain about the traffic.
I wondered whether Walter had looked at his photograph.
Whether my husband had known that another family was living with questions he could not answer.
"Can I speak to Rachel?"" I asked.
Samuel nodded.
"I'll ask whether she's willing to meet you.""
He closed his notebook.
"Mrs. Brooks, he could not answer.
"Can I speak to Rachel?"" I asked.
Samuel nodded.
"I'll ask whether she's willing to meet you.""
He closed his notebook.
"Mrs. Brooks, I need you to understand something. If someone is sending you threats, it may mean they believe you have evidence that could harm them. Don't investigate I need you to understand something.
If someone is sending you threats, it may mean they believe you have evidence that could harm them. Don't investigate this on your own. Don't follow your son. Don't meet Marcus Reed privately.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"And this on your own. Don't follow your son. Don't meet Marcus Reed privately.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"And don't let your anger make you careless.""
I thought about the birthday cake.
About the slap.
About the way I had pressed frosting into Vanessa's face while eight people watched.
"I don't let your anger make you careless.""
I thought about the birthday cake.
About the slap.
About the way I had pressed frosting into Vanessa's face while eight people watched.
"I have already made mistakes," I admitted.
Samuel studied me.
"Then make the next decision a better one.""
That afternoon, Patricia arranged have already made mistakes," I admitted.
Samuel studied me.
"Then make the next decision a better one.""
That afternoon, Patricia arranged for the envelope to be examined and helped me file a report about the threat. I also changed the locks on my house and asked Tamika to stay for the envelope to be examined and helped me file a report about the threat. I also changed the locks on my house and asked Tamika to stay with me for a few nights.
She arrived with two suitcases, a bag of groceries, and enough indignation to power a small city.
with me for a few nights.
She arrived with two suitcases, a bag of groceries, and enough indignation to power a small city.
"Somebody threatens my aunt in her own house, and they expect her to sit quietly?"" she demanded, placing a carton of"Somebody threatens my aunt in her own house, and they expect her to sit quietly?"" she demanded, placing a carton of eggs in the refrigerator.
"I don't think they know me very well.""
"They're about to.""
"Tamika.""
"What?""
"Please don't threaten eggs in the refrigerator.
"I don't think they know me very well.""
"They're about to.""
"Tamika.""
"What?""
"Please don't threaten anybody on my behalf.""
She sighed.
"I wasn't going to threaten anybody.""
I looked at her.
She put the eggs down.
"I was going anybody on my behalf.""
She sighed.
"I wasn't going to threaten anybody.""
I looked at her.
She put the eggs down.
"I was going to make them uncomfortable.""
Despite everything, I laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh I had managed since my to make them uncomfortable.""
Despite everything, I laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh I had managed since my birthday.
That evening, Rachel Price called.
Her voice was cautious.
"Detective Brooks said you wanted to talk about Daniel birthday.
That evening, Rachel Price called.
Her voice was cautious.
"Detective Brooks said you wanted to talk about Daniel.""
"Yes. I'm sorry to contact you under these circumstances.""
"Do you know something about his death?""
"I don't know enough to answer that. My.""
"Yes. I'm sorry to contact you under these circumstances.""
"Do you know something about his death?""
"I don't know enough to answer that. My husband was investigating financial irregularities before he died. He left records that may be connected to the same people Daniel was investigating.""
There was a long silence.
Then Rachel asked husband was investigating financial irregularities before he died. He left records that may be connected to the same people Daniel was investigating.""
There was a long silence.
Then Rachel asked, "Was your husband named Walter?""
"Yes.""
"Oh, my God.""
I sat straighter.
"You knew him?""
"No. Daniel mentioned, "Was your husband named Walter?""
"Yes.""
"Oh, my God.""
I sat straighter.
"You knew him?""
"No. Daniel mentioned him once. He said there was an older man who had discovered something important and wanted to do the right thing.""
I pressed my fingers against my forehead.
"Did Daniel him once. He said there was an older man who had discovered something important and wanted to do the right thing.""
I pressed my fingers against my forehead.
"Did Daniel ever mention Marcus Reed?""
"Yes.""
Her answer came so quickly that I felt my stomach tighten.
"He said Marcus was the ever mention Marcus Reed?""
"Yes.""
Her answer came so quickly that I felt my stomach tighten.
"He said Marcus was the kind of man who could make a problem disappear without making it look as though he'd touched it.""
"Did Daniel have proof of wrongdoing?""
"He kind of man who could make a problem disappear without making it look as though he'd touched it.""
"Did Daniel have proof of wrongdoing?""
"He believed he did. He kept copies of account statements in a safe place, but after he died, some of his work believed he did. He kept copies of account statements in a safe place, but after he died, some of his work files disappeared.""
"Did the police know?""
"They knew. But no one could establish who had taken them.""
I thought files disappeared.""
"Did the police know?""
"They knew. But no one could establish who had taken them.""
I thought about Walter's hidden compartment.
About the memory card.
About the original records everyone seemed so desperate to find.
"Rachel, did Daniel ever mention Caleb Brooks?""
"No about Walter's hidden compartment.
About the memory card.
About the original records everyone seemed so desperate to find.
"Rachel, did Daniel ever mention Caleb Brooks?""
"No.""
"Or a company called Northbridge Advisory Services?""
Another pause.
Then I heard her inhale sharply.
"That.""
"Or a company called Northbridge Advisory Services?""
Another pause.
Then I heard her inhale sharply.
"That name was in Daniel's notebook.""
"Do you still have it?""
"Yes. I kept everything he left behind.""
"Would you be willing to show it name was in Daniel's notebook.""
"Do you still have it?""
"Yes. I kept everything he left behind.""
"Would you be willing to show it to me?""
"I would.""
We arranged to meet the next afternoon at Patricia's office.
When I told Tamika, she insisted on to me?""
"I would.""
We arranged to meet the next afternoon at Patricia's office.
When I told Tamika, she insisted on coming.
"You aren't meeting strangers alone," she said.
"Rachel isn't a stranger. She's coming.
"You aren't meeting strangers alone," she said.
"Rachel isn't a stranger. She's a woman whose husband died under circumstances that may be connected to my own family.""
"That is exactly why you shouldn't go alone.""
I let her come.
Rachel arrived at two a woman whose husband died under circumstances that may be connected to my own family.""
"That is exactly why you shouldn't go alone.""
I let her come.
Rachel arrived at two o'clock carrying a cardboard box.
She was smaller than I expected, with silver beginning to show in her brown hair. She wore no jewelry except a plain wedding ring.
When she saw me, she stopped o'clock carrying a cardboard box.
She was smaller than I expected, with silver beginning to show in her brown hair. She wore no jewelry except a plain wedding ring.
When she saw me, she stopped near the door.
"You're Evelyn?""
"Yes.""
She approached slowly.
"I've spent four years wondering whether Daniel near the door.
"You're Evelyn?""
"Yes.""
She approached slowly.
"I've spent four years wondering whether Daniel died because he knew too much.""
I reached for her hand.
"I've spent three years wondering whether Walter was died because he knew too much.""
I reached for her hand.
"I've spent three years wondering whether Walter was able to tell me everything he knew.""
For a moment, we simply held hands.
Then we sat down.
Rachel opened the box.
Inside were photographs, bank statements, old emails, and several able to tell me everything he knew.""
For a moment, we simply held hands.
Then we sat down.
Rachel opened the box.
Inside were photographs, bank statements, old emails, and several notebooks.
She turned to a page marked with a yellow tab.
"This is the entry I wanted you to see.""
The notebooks.
She turned to a page marked with a yellow tab.
"This is the entry I wanted you to see.""
The handwriting was Daniel's.
*Northbridge payments are not consulting fees. Same amounts, same intervals, same recipient. Marcus says the records are incomplete handwriting was Daniel's.
Northbridge payments are not consulting fees. Same amounts, same intervals, same recipient. Marcus says the records are incomplete. I believe the records were deliberately altered.
Below it was a list of dates.
I recognized several from Walter's notebook.
The next page contained a name.
Cal. I believe the records were deliberately altered.*
Below it was a list of dates.
I recognized several from Walter's notebook.
The next page contained a name.
Caleb Brooks.
Beside it, Daniel had written:
*Youngest account manager. Possibly cooperating. Determine whether he understands the purpose of theeb Brooks.
Beside it, Daniel had written:
Youngest account manager. Possibly cooperating. Determine whether he understands the purpose of the transfers.
My heart sank.
Rachel looked at me.
"Do you believe your son knew what he was doing?""
I thought about Caleb standing in my kitchen, admitting that transfers.*
My heart sank.
Rachel looked at me.
"Do you believe your son knew what he was doing?""
I thought about Caleb standing in my kitchen, admitting that he had submitted documents claiming I had authorized a loan.
"I believe he knew enough to be responsible for his decisions.""
Rachel nodded slowly.
"Daniel used he had submitted documents claiming I had authorized a loan.
"I believe he knew enough to be responsible for his decisions.""
Rachel nodded slowly.
"Daniel used to say that a person doesn't need to invent a lie to become part of one. Sometimes all he has to do is repeat somebody else's explanation without asking questions.""
She handed me another sheet.
to say that a person doesn't need to invent a lie to become part of one. Sometimes all he has to do is repeat somebody else's explanation without asking questions.""
She handed me another sheet.
It was an email from Daniel to an unidentified recipient.
*I am meeting Walter Brooks tomorrow. He says he has the original ledger. If heIt was an email from Daniel to an unidentified recipient.
I am meeting Walter Brooks tomorrow. He says he has the original ledger. If he is right, we can finally establish where the missing funds went.
The date was March 15.
Walter's recording had been made on March 14.
The is right, we can finally establish where the missing funds went.*
The date was March 15.
Walter's recording had been made on March 14.
The meeting had never happened.
I looked at Rachel.
"Did Daniel tell you where he was going?""
"He said he was meeting someone connected to the company. He never meeting had never happened.
I looked at Rachel.
"Did Daniel tell you where he was going?""
"He said he was meeting someone connected to the company. He never came home.""
She swallowed.
"The police told me he lost control of his car. They said there was no evidence of another came home.""
She swallowed.
"The police told me he lost control of his car. They said there was no evidence of another vehicle. But Daniel had driven that road hundreds of times. He knew every exit.""
I wanted to tell her that I believed her.
But belief was not evidence, and she had spent four years listening to people mistake vehicle. But Daniel had driven that road hundreds of times. He knew every exit.""
I wanted to tell her that I believed her.
But belief was not evidence, and she had spent four years listening to people mistake the two.
Instead, I asked, "What can we do now?""
"We can give these records to the investigators," Patricia said.
"And we can make sure the original evidence is preserved.""
Rachel looked the two.
Instead, I asked, "What can we do now?""
"We can give these records to the investigators," Patricia said.
"And we can make sure the original evidence is preserved.""
Rachel looked down at the notebook.
"There's something else.""
She turned to the final page.
A sentence had been underlined twice.
*Marcus says down at the notebook.
"There's something else.""
She turned to the final page.
A sentence had been underlined twice.
Marcus says Walter is too loyal to his son to expose him. If that is true, then Caleb is the weak point Walter is too loyal to his son to expose him. If that is true, then Caleb is the weak point in the entire arrangement.
I felt a sharp ache in my chest.
My husband had spent his final weeks trying to protect our son in the entire arrangement.*
I felt a sharp ache in my chest.
My husband had spent his final weeks trying to protect our son from a dangerous man while protecting me from the consequences of that son's choices.
Walter had believed Caleb might from a dangerous man while protecting me from the consequences of that son's choices.
Walter had believed Caleb might still do the right thing.
Perhaps that was why he had left the records behind instead of taking them directly to the authorities.
He had wanted our son still do the right thing.
Perhaps that was why he had left the records behind instead of taking them directly to the authorities.
He had wanted our son to confess.
He had wanted to give him one final opportunity to tell the truth.
And Caleb had chosen silence.
As Rachel packed the documents, my to confess.
He had wanted to give him one final opportunity to tell the truth.
And Caleb had chosen silence.
As Rachel packed the documents, my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*Please call me. Caleb has disappeared, and Marcus says he knows where you live.*
I immediately called her.
She answered phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*Please call me. Caleb has disappeared, and Marcus says he knows where you live.*
I immediately called her.
She answered in tears.
"Mrs. Brooks, I don't know what to do.""
"Where are you?""
"At home. Caleb left last night and hasn't in tears.
"Mrs. Brooks, I don't know what to do.""
"Where are you?""
"At home. Caleb left last night and hasn't come back. His phone is off.""
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Not yet.""
"Why not?""
"Because I found something in his office, and I think he's gone to get come back. His phone is off.""
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Not yet.""
"Why not?""
"Because I found something in his office, and I think he's gone to get it.""
"What did you find?""
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"The original ledger.""
I stood so quickly that my chair scraped backward it.""
"What did you find?""
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"The original ledger.""
I stood so quickly that my chair scraped backward.
"Where is it?""
"I don't know. But I found a note saying it was moved to a storage unit. There was a number on it.
"Where is it?""
"I don't know. But I found a note saying it was moved to a storage unit. There was a number on it, and Marcus called Caleb three times this morning.""
"Do not go looking for him.""
"I'm not.""
"Vanessa, listen to me carefully. Don't contact Marcus. Don't go to the, and Marcus called Caleb three times this morning.""
"Do not go looking for him.""
"I'm not.""
"Vanessa, listen to me carefully. Don't contact Marcus. Don't go to the storage unit. And don't destroy anything.""
"I won't.""
I heard her take a shaky breath.
Then she said storage unit. And don't destroy anything.""
"I won't.""
I heard her take a shaky breath.
Then she said, "There's something I haven't told you about the night of your birthday.""
"What?""
"Caleb didn't just tell, "There's something I haven't told you about the night of your birthday.""
"What?""
"Caleb didn't just tell me you had agreed to the loan.""
She began crying harder.
"He told me that if the transfer went through, you would lose the me you had agreed to the loan.""
She began crying harder.
"He told me that if the transfer went through, you would lose the house anyway. He said there was a clause in Walter's original paperwork that would allow Marcus to take control of the property if the money house anyway. He said there was a clause in Walter's original paperwork that would allow Marcus to take control of the property if the money wasn't repaid.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did you believe him?""
"At first. Then I found the documents Walter had wasn't repaid.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did you believe him?""
"At first. Then I found the documents Walter had left behind. That's when I realized Caleb had been lying about everything.""
"Why did you destroy the cake?""
"Because I wanted him to know I was done protecting him. I thought if I made him angry enough, he would stop left behind. That's when I realized Caleb had been lying about everything.""
"Why did you destroy the cake?""
"Because I wanted him to know I was done protecting him. I thought if I made him angry enough, he would stop pretending he could control everyone.""
Her voice broke.
"But he didn't stop. He just left.""
I looked at Rachel's box of evidence.
For years pretending he could control everyone.""
Her voice broke.
"But he didn't stop. He just left.""
I looked at Rachel's box of evidence.
For years, two families had been left with unanswered questions, each believing the truth had been buried beyond reach.
Now the same man appeared to be threatening both of, two families had been left with unanswered questions, each believing the truth had been buried beyond reach.
Now the same man appeared to be threatening both of us.
"Vanessa," I said, "I need you to tell me everything you know. No more protecting Caleb. No more protecting yourself us.
"Vanessa," I said, "I need you to tell me everything you know. No more protecting Caleb. No more protecting yourself by leaving things out.""
"I will.""
"And if you have any evidence, give it to Patricia.""
"I will.""
When I hung by leaving things out.""
"I will.""
"And if you have any evidence, give it to Patricia.""
"I will.""
When I hung up, Rachel was watching me.
"He's disappeared?""
"Yes.""
She looked at Daniel's notebook.
"Then I think up, Rachel was watching me.
"He's disappeared?""
"Yes.""
She looked at Daniel's notebook.
"Then I think we're running out of time.""
I agreed.
Because whoever had hidden the original ledger had finally learned that two wid we're running out of time.""
I agreed.
Because whoever had hidden the original ledger had finally learned that two widows, one frightened wife, and one stubborn old woman were no longer willing to let the truth remain buried.
And the man who had spent years makingows, one frightened wife, and one stubborn old woman were no longer willing to let the truth remain buried.
May you like
And the man who had spent years making people afraid was beginning to lose control.
people afraid was beginning to lose control.
