Chapter 8: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
I looked at Vanessa.
Then at the document.
Then back at her.
"What did you just say?""
She began crying.
"Marcus, I can explain.""
"Daniel is alive?""
She nodded.
I felt as though the walls at Vanessa.
Then at the document.
Then back at her.
"What did you just say?""
She began crying.
"Marcus, I can explain.""
"Daniel is alive?""
She nodded.
I felt as though the walls were moving.
"You told me he died before Caleb was born.""
"He was supposed to be dead.""
"People don't become dead because they're supposed to!""
were moving.
"You told me he died before Caleb was born.""
"He was supposed to be dead.""
"People don't become dead because they're supposed to!""
Vanessa flinched.
I lowered my voice.
"Where is he?""
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
"I'm not!""
IVanessa flinched.
I lowered my voice.
"Where is he?""
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
"I'm not!""
I held up the document.
"His signature is right here.""
Vanessa looked at it.
Then she sat on the edge of Maya held up the document.
"His signature is right here.""
Vanessa looked at it.
Then she sat on the edge of Maya's bed.
"Daniel was involved in something with Richard. They were moving money through construction companies. When your father discovered it,'s bed.
"Daniel was involved in something with Richard. They were moving money through construction companies. When your father discovered it, he threatened to report them.""
"What happened?""
"Daniel disappeared.""
"Disappeared?""
"He left the country. Richard told everyone he had died.""
I stared he threatened to report them.""
"What happened?""
"Daniel disappeared.""
"Disappeared?""
"He left the country. Richard told everyone he had died.""
I stared at her.
"And you believed him?""
Vanessa wiped her face.
"I received a phone call from Daniel two years later.""
My at her.
"And you believed him?""
Vanessa wiped her face.
"I received a phone call from Daniel two years later.""
My chest tightened.
"When?""
"After Caleb started school.""
"What did he say?""
"He wanted to see his son.""
I closed my eyes.
"You let him?""
She nodded.
"Once chest tightened.
"When?""
"After Caleb started school.""
"What did he say?""
"He wanted to see his son.""
I closed my eyes.
"You let him?""
She nodded.
"Once.""
"Where?""
"At a restaurant outside Columbus.""
"Did Richard know?""
"Yes.""
I stepped back.
"Then why did you keep this from me?""
Vanessa looked.""
"Where?""
"At a restaurant outside Columbus.""
"Did Richard know?""
"Yes.""
I stepped back.
"Then why did you keep this from me?""
Vanessa looked up.
"Because Daniel was involved in the money Richard stole from your father. He said he had evidence that could send Richard to prison.""
"And you helped him?""
"I didn't know what to do.""
"How long have you known he's alive?""
"Seven years.""
I up.
"Because Daniel was involved in the money Richard stole from your father. He said he had evidence that could send Richard to prison.""
"And you helped him?""
"I didn't know what to do.""
"How long have you known he's alive?""
"Seven years.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Seven years.""
She started crying again.
"Marcus, I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"Richard.""
I stared at her.
For the first time, I saw something beneath the panic.
Fear.
Real laughed bitterly.
"Seven years.""
She started crying again.
"Marcus, I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"Richard.""
I stared at her.
For the first time, I saw something beneath the panic.
Fear.
Real fear.
Not fear of losing money.
Not fear of being caught.
Fear of someone.
"Why are you afraid of your brother?""
Vanessa looked toward the hallway.
Then she whispered:
"Because Richard knows fear.
Not fear of losing money.
Not fear of being caught.
Fear of someone.
"Why are you afraid of your brother?""
Vanessa looked toward the hallway.
Then she whispered:
"Because Richard knows what happened the night Daniel disappeared.""
I sat down.
"Tell me.""
She shook her head.
"Not here.""
"Then where?""
"Somewhere he can't hear us.""
I took out my phone.
"Detective what happened the night Daniel disappeared.""
I sat down.
"Tell me.""
She shook her head.
"Not here.""
"Then where?""
"Somewhere he can't hear us.""
I took out my phone.
"Detective Brooks needs to hear this.""
Her eyes widened.
"No!""
"Why?""
"Because Richard has people inside the department.""
I stopped.
"That's Brooks needs to hear this.""
Her eyes widened.
"No!""
"Why?""
"Because Richard has people inside the department.""
I stopped.
"That's a serious accusation.""
"I know.""
"Who?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know their names.""
I looked at the document again.
The original certificate was real.
My father's signature a serious accusation.""
"I know.""
"Who?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know their names.""
I looked at the document again.
The original certificate was real.
My father's signature was genuine.
Daniel's signature appeared beside it.
And if Daniel was alive, he might be the one person who could explain the entire arrangement.
I called Brooks.
He answered quickly was genuine.
Daniel's signature appeared beside it.
And if Daniel was alive, he might be the one person who could explain the entire arrangement.
I called Brooks.
He answered quickly.
"Marcus?""
"I found the original trust certificate.""
"Where?""
"In my daughter's room.""
"Is it intact?""
"Yes. But there's something else.""
I glanced at Vanessa.
".
"Marcus?""
"I found the original trust certificate.""
"Where?""
"In my daughter's room.""
"Is it intact?""
"Yes. But there's something else.""
I glanced at Vanessa.
"Caleb's biological father may still be alive.""
There was a long silence.
Then Brooks said:
"Who told you that?""
"My wife.""
"Don't move the document again. We'll sendCaleb's biological father may still be alive.""
There was a long silence.
Then Brooks said:
"Who told you that?""
"My wife.""
"Don't move the document again. We'll send someone to collect it.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"She also says her brother may be involved in the disappearance.""
Brooks' voice became sharper.
"Mr. Carter, I need you to listen someone to collect it.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"She also says her brother may be involved in the disappearance.""
Brooks' voice became sharper.
"Mr. Carter, I need you to listen carefully. Is your wife with you?""
"Yes.""
"Keep her there. Don't contact Richard. We're coming.""
I ended carefully. Is your wife with you?""
"Yes.""
"Keep her there. Don't contact Richard. We're coming.""
I ended the call.
Vanessa looked terrified.
"Marcus, you don't understand.""
"Then help me understand.""
She stood.
"Richard didn't just the call.
Vanessa looked terrified.
"Marcus, you don't understand.""
"Then help me understand.""
She stood.
"Richard didn't just take money from your father. He used Daniel's identity to create Northbridge.""
I frowned.
"What?""
" take money from your father. He used Daniel's identity to create Northbridge.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"Daniel was the original financial officer. Richard used his name and identification to register some of the accounts. When Daniel tried to leave, Richard threatened him.""
"With what?""
"With the fact that Daniel had signed the original financial documents.""
I looked at the certificate.
"So DanielDaniel was the original financial officer. Richard used his name and identification to register some of the accounts. When Daniel tried to leave, Richard threatened him.""
"With what?""
"With the fact that Daniel had signed the original financial documents.""
I looked at the certificate.
"So Daniel helped establish the trust?""
"He helped your father create the separate educational provision for Caleb.""
"Why would he disappear?""
"Because Richard told him the police helped establish the trust?""
"He helped your father create the separate educational provision for Caleb.""
"Why would he disappear?""
"Because Richard told him the police were coming.""
I shook my head.
"This makes no sense.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Richard told Daniel that your father had died, and that you were planning to blame him for the were coming.""
I shook my head.
"This makes no sense.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Richard told Daniel that your father had died, and that you were planning to blame him for the missing money.""
I stared.
"My father was alive when Daniel disappeared?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
"Because Daniel asked him not to.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
My father had known.
He had known Daniel missing money.""
I stared.
"My father was alive when Daniel disappeared?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
"Because Daniel asked him not to.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
My father had known.
He had known Daniel was alive.
He had known Richard was stealing.
And he had left documents behind that suggested he expected the truth to surface.
Before I could ask anything else, Maya appeared in the hallway.
She was holding her stuffed was alive.
He had known Richard was stealing.
And he had left documents behind that suggested he expected the truth to surface.
Before I could ask anything else, Maya appeared in the hallway.
She was holding her stuffed rabbit.
"Daddy?""
I immediately put the document away.
"Hey, sweetheart.""
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at me.
"Is Mommy staying?""
I crouched.
"Not right now, sweetheart.""
Maya's lower lip trembled.
"Did rabbit.
"Daddy?""
I immediately put the document away.
"Hey, sweetheart.""
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at me.
"Is Mommy staying?""
I crouched.
"Not right now, sweetheart.""
Maya's lower lip trembled.
"Did I do something wrong?""
My heart broke.
"No. Absolutely not.""
"Then why is everyone angry?""
I held her hands.
"Sometimes adults make bad choices. That's not your fault.""
She nodded slowly.
Then she looked at Vanessa.
"Mommy?""
Van I do something wrong?""
My heart broke.
"No. Absolutely not.""
"Then why is everyone angry?""
I held her hands.
"Sometimes adults make bad choices. That's not your fault.""
She nodded slowly.
Then she looked at Vanessa.
"Mommy?""
Vanessa stood.
"Yes, baby?""
"Can I keep my notebook?""
Vanessa's face crumpled.
I looked at my daughter.
"Of course you can.""
Maya hugged the notebook against her chest.
"I wantessa stood.
"Yes, baby?""
"Can I keep my notebook?""
Vanessa's face crumpled.
I looked at my daughter.
"Of course you can.""
Maya hugged the notebook against her chest.
"I want to remember everything.""
I swallowed.
"You don't have to remember the bad things forever.""
She looked at me.
"But what if someone says they didn't happen?""
I pulled her close.
"Then we'll show them the truth.""
to remember everything.""
I swallowed.
"You don't have to remember the bad things forever.""
She looked at me.
"But what if someone says they didn't happen?""
I pulled her close.
"Then we'll show them the truth.""
A knock sounded downstairs.
Detective Brooks had arrived with Investigator Mitchell.
They collected the original documents and photographed the dollhouse compartment.
BroA knock sounded downstairs.
Detective Brooks had arrived with Investigator Mitchell.
They collected the original documents and photographed the dollhouse compartment.
Brooks listened to Vanessa's statement.
When she finished, he asked one question.
"Can you identify the restaurant where you met Daniel?""
Vanessa nodded.
"Yes.""
"Do you have any messages fromoks listened to Vanessa's statement.
When she finished, he asked one question.
"Can you identify the restaurant where you met Daniel?""
Vanessa nodded.
"Yes.""
"Do you have any messages from him?""
She hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out an old phone.
"I kept this.""
Brooks took it carefully.
"What's on him?""
She hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out an old phone.
"I kept this.""
Brooks took it carefully.
"What's on it?""
"Messages. And a photograph.""
Mitchell turned on the phone.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Vanessa standing beside a man outside a restaurant.
He looked older it?""
"Messages. And a photograph.""
Mitchell turned on the phone.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Vanessa standing beside a man outside a restaurant.
He looked older than the man in the document.
But I recognized him.
Daniel Carter.
Caleb's biological father.
And behind them, standing beside a black SUV, was Richard.
than the man in the document.
But I recognized him.
Daniel Carter.
Caleb's biological father.
And behind them, standing beside a black SUV, was Richard.
Brooks enlarged the image.
His expression changed.
"Where was this taken?""
"Columbus," Vanessa whispered.
"What date?""
"MarchBrooks enlarged the image.
His expression changed.
"Where was this taken?""
"Columbus," Vanessa whispered.
"What date?""
"March 2020.""
Brooks looked at Mitchell.
She shook her head.
Then he turned toward me.
"Mr. Carter, we need to tell you something.""
2020.""
Brooks looked at Mitchell.
She shook her head.
Then he turned toward me.
"Mr. Carter, we need to tell you something.""
"What?""
He placed his finger on the photograph.
"Daniel Carter was officially declared deceased in 2019.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
"An identification record"What?""
He placed his finger on the photograph.
"Daniel Carter was officially declared deceased in 2019.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
"An identification record was filed after a vehicle fire.""
"But that's impossible.""
Brooks nodded.
"That's what we're beginning to suspect.""
He zoomed in on Richard's face.
Then he pointed toward the black SUV.
There was a license plate.
was filed after a vehicle fire.""
"But that's impossible.""
Brooks nodded.
"That's what we're beginning to suspect.""
He zoomed in on Richard's face.
Then he pointed toward the black SUV.
There was a license plate.
Brooks read it.
His expression went completely still.
"That's a government vehicle.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He looked at Vanessa.
"Who else knew about this meeting?""
She shook her head.
"Brooks read it.
His expression went completely still.
"That's a government vehicle.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He looked at Vanessa.
"Who else knew about this meeting?""
She shook her head.
"Nobody.""
Brooks turned toward Mitchell.
"Call the office. We need to reopen the identity investigation immediately.""
Then he looked at me.
"Mr. Carter, I don't think your wife and her brother are the only people involved.""
Nobody.""
Brooks turned toward Mitchell.
"Call the office. We need to reopen the identity investigation immediately.""
Then he looked at me.
"Mr. Carter, I don't think your wife and her brother are the only people involved.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
There was no greeting.
Only one sentence.
*Tell Marcus the man who signedMy phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
There was no greeting.
Only one sentence.
Tell Marcus the man who signed his father's trust is still collecting payments.
A second message arrived.
And if he wants to know where Daniel is, he should ask Caleb.
his father's trust is still collecting payments.*
A second message arrived.
And if he wants to know where Daniel is, he should ask Caleb.
I looked toward the hallway.
Caleb had just entered the house.
He was holding a folded piece of paper.
And when he saw the photograph on the detective's laptop, he whispered:
"That's myI looked toward the hallway.
Caleb had just entered the house.
He was holding a folded piece of paper.
May you like
And when he saw the photograph on the detective's laptop, he whispered:
"That's my dad.""
