Chapter 9: The Truth Caleb Had Been Hiding
Nobody spoke.
Caleb stood in the doorway, staring at the photograph.
Vanessa rushed toward him.
"Caleb, go upstairs.""
He stepped backward.
"No.""
"Now!""
He clutched the folded paper.
"Mom, I'm tired of pretending.""
My heart began pounding.
I looked at him.
"What do you know?""
Caleb glanced.""
He stepped backward.
"No.""
"Now!""
He clutched the folded paper.
"Mom, I'm tired of pretending.""
My heart began pounding.
I looked at him.
"What do you know?""
Caleb glanced at Detective Brooks.
Then at his mother.
Finally, he looked at me.
"Can we talk somewhere private?""
Brooks nodded.
"We'll give you a moment.""
I led Caleb into the living room.
He sat on the sofa.
For the first time since at Detective Brooks.
Then at his mother.
Finally, he looked at me.
"Can we talk somewhere private?""
Brooks nodded.
"We'll give you a moment.""
I led Caleb into the living room.
He sat on the sofa.
For the first time since I had known him, he looked like a frightened child rather than a teenager trying to appear older.
I sat across from him.
"Tell me.""
He unfolded the paper.
It was a photograph of a man standing outside a grocery store.
The image I had known him, he looked like a frightened child rather than a teenager trying to appear older.
I sat across from him.
"Tell me.""
He unfolded the paper.
It was a photograph of a man standing outside a grocery store.
The image was grainy.
But the face was unmistakable.
Daniel.
"When did you get this?"" I asked.
"Last month.""
"From whom?""
"A man who came to my school.""
My stomach was grainy.
But the face was unmistakable.
Daniel.
"When did you get this?"" I asked.
"Last month.""
"From whom?""
"A man who came to my school.""
My stomach tightened.
"What man?""
"He said he knew my father.""
"Did he give you a name?""
Caleb shook his head.
"He told me not to tell Mom.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"He said she was protecting tightened.
"What man?""
"He said he knew my father.""
"Did he give you a name?""
Caleb shook his head.
"He told me not to tell Mom.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"He said she was protecting the wrong person.""
I looked toward the kitchen.
Vanessa was speaking quietly with Mitchell.
"What else did he say?""
Caleb swallowed.
"He said my dad wasn't dead.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did he tell you where Daniel was?""
"He the wrong person.""
I looked toward the kitchen.
Vanessa was speaking quietly with Mitchell.
"What else did he say?""
Caleb swallowed.
"He said my dad wasn't dead.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did he tell you where Daniel was?""
"He gave me a phone number.""
"Do you still have it?""
Caleb nodded.
He reached into his pocket and handed me a small piece of paper.
A number was written on it.
Beneath it were four words.
*Ask him about gave me a phone number.""
"Do you still have it?""
Caleb nodded.
He reached into his pocket and handed me a small piece of paper.
A number was written on it.
Beneath it were four words.
Ask him about the warehouse.
I recognized the phrase.
The warehouse.
My father's business.
The missing $42,000.
I looked at Caleb.
"Have the warehouse.*
I recognized the phrase.
The warehouse.
My father's business.
The missing $42,000.
I looked at Caleb.
"Have you called this number?""
"Once.""
"What happened?""
"A man answered.""
"Was it Daniel?""
"I don't know.""
"What did he say?""
Caleb's eyes filled.
"He said he wanted you called this number?""
"Once.""
"What happened?""
"A man answered.""
"Was it Daniel?""
"I don't know.""
"What did he say?""
Caleb's eyes filled.
"He said he wanted to see me.""
I leaned forward.
"Did you arrange a meeting?""
He nodded.
"Yesterday.""
My stomach dropped.
"Where?""
"At the park near school.""
"Did you go?""
Caleb nodded again.
"Was he there?""
" to see me.""
I leaned forward.
"Did you arrange a meeting?""
He nodded.
"Yesterday.""
My stomach dropped.
"Where?""
"At the park near school.""
"Did you go?""
Caleb nodded again.
"Was he there?""
"Yes.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What did he tell you?""
Caleb stared at the photograph.
"He said Mom had lied about him being dead.""
I waited.
"He said he had tried to come back when I was little,Yes.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What did he tell you?""
Caleb stared at the photograph.
"He said Mom had lied about him being dead.""
I waited.
"He said he had tried to come back when I was little, but Uncle Richard wouldn't let him.""
"Why?""
"He said Richard was using his identity to move money.""
I looked at the folded paper.
"Did but Uncle Richard wouldn't let him.""
"Why?""
"He said Richard was using his identity to move money.""
I looked at the folded paper.
"Did he give you anything?""
Caleb hesitated.
Then he reached into his pocket and removed a small silver key.
"He said this opens a box.""
"What box?""
"He said it was at the old warehouse.""
I stared at the key.
The he give you anything?""
Caleb hesitated.
Then he reached into his pocket and removed a small silver key.
"He said this opens a box.""
"What box?""
"He said it was at the old warehouse.""
I stared at the key.
The warehouse had been sold years ago.
At least, that was what I believed.
"Did he say what was inside?""
Caleb nodded.
"Documents.""
"What documents?""
He looked at me.
"Proof that Uncle Richard stole the money.""
I warehouse had been sold years ago.
At least, that was what I believed.
"Did he say what was inside?""
Caleb nodded.
"Documents.""
"What documents?""
He looked at me.
"Proof that Uncle Richard stole the money.""
I stood.
"Detective Brooks needs to know about this.""
Caleb grabbed my sleeve.
"Please don't tell Mom.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
He swallowed.
"Because she knows.""
I felt cold.
"What does she know?""
Caleb's voice dropped.
"She knows stood.
"Detective Brooks needs to know about this.""
Caleb grabbed my sleeve.
"Please don't tell Mom.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
He swallowed.
"Because she knows.""
I felt cold.
"What does she know?""
Caleb's voice dropped.
"She knows I met Dad.""
I stared at him.
"When did you tell her?""
"I didn't.""
"Then how?""
"She checked my phone.""
He I met Dad.""
I stared at him.
"When did you tell her?""
"I didn't.""
"Then how?""
"She checked my phone.""
He looked toward the kitchen.
"She told Uncle Richard yesterday.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did Richard threaten you?""
Caleb nodded.
"He said if I talked to anyone, he'd make sure I never saw my dad again.""
I sat beside him.
" looked toward the kitchen.
"She told Uncle Richard yesterday.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did Richard threaten you?""
Caleb nodded.
"He said if I talked to anyone, he'd make sure I never saw my dad again.""
I sat beside him.
"Caleb, listen to me. Nobody gets to threaten you.""
He looked down.
"You're not even my real dad.""
The words landed harder than I expected.
I took a breath.
"Biology doesn't erase sixCaleb, listen to me. Nobody gets to threaten you.""
He looked down.
"You're not even my real dad.""
The words landed harder than I expected.
I took a breath.
"Biology doesn't erase six years.""
He looked up.
"I know.""
"I don't know what happens between your mother and me. I don't know what Daniel wants. But you are still a child, and you deserve to be safe.""
Caleb began crying.
"I years.""
He looked up.
"I know.""
"I don't know what happens between your mother and me. I don't know what Daniel wants. But you are still a child, and you deserve to be safe.""
Caleb began crying.
"I didn't know Mom was taking Maya's money.""
I nodded.
"I believe you.""
"She said it was for me.""
"Did you ask her?""
He shook his head.
"I didn't know Mom was taking Maya's money.""
I nodded.
"I believe you.""
"She said it was for me.""
"Did you ask her?""
He shook his head.
"I thought you knew.""
I closed my eyes.
There it was again.
The same lie.
Marcus already knows.
The same excuse used to justify every thought you knew.""
I closed my eyes.
There it was again.
The same lie.
Marcus already knows.
The same excuse used to justify every transaction.
I put my hand on Caleb's shoulder.
"You're going to tell the detectives everything you remember.""
He nodded.
When we returned to the kitchen, Brooks was waiting.
I transaction.
I put my hand on Caleb's shoulder.
"You're going to tell the detectives everything you remember.""
He nodded.
When we returned to the kitchen, Brooks was waiting.
I gave him the key and the phone number.
Then I explained the meeting.
His expression became serious.
"Where is this warehouse?""
I gave him the address gave him the key and the phone number.
Then I explained the meeting.
His expression became serious.
"Where is this warehouse?""
I gave him the address.
He called another officer.
Within minutes, they had arranged to visit the property.
Before leaving, Brooks pulled me aside.
"Mr. Carter, there's something else we discovered.""
"What?""
"The.
He called another officer.
Within minutes, they had arranged to visit the property.
Before leaving, Brooks pulled me aside.
"Mr. Carter, there's something else we discovered.""
"What?""
"The company that owns the warehouse is registered under a trust.""
"Whose trust?""
"Daniel Carter's.""
I frowned.
"But I thought the property was sold.""
"Apparently, it was transferred rather than sold.""
He showed me a record.
company that owns the warehouse is registered under a trust.""
"Whose trust?""
"Daniel Carter's.""
I frowned.
"But I thought the property was sold.""
"Apparently, it was transferred rather than sold.""
He showed me a record.
The transfer had taken place six months after my father's death.
The same month Richard began contacting Vanessa about the educational fund.
I looked at the document.
"Who authorized it?""
Brooks pointed to theThe transfer had taken place six months after my father's death.
The same month Richard began contacting Vanessa about the educational fund.
I looked at the document.
"Who authorized it?""
Brooks pointed to the signature.
Richard Carter.
"How did he get authority?""
"We don't know yet.""
He lowered his voice.
"But we're beginning to suspect the warehouse was being used to store original financial records.""
I glanced at Caleb.
" signature.
Richard Carter.
"How did he get authority?""
"We don't know yet.""
He lowered his voice.
"But we're beginning to suspect the warehouse was being used to store original financial records.""
I glanced at Caleb.
"Can we go there?""
"Not without investigators.""
"Then I'll follow.""
Brooks shook his head.
"That's not advisable.""
"DetectCan we go there?""
"Not without investigators.""
"Then I'll follow.""
Brooks shook his head.
"That's not advisable.""
"Detective, my father spent years building that business. My daughter is being used to cover up what happened there. I'm not sitting at home.""
He studied me.
Finally, he nodded.
"Stay behind our vehicles. Don't touchive, my father spent years building that business. My daughter is being used to cover up what happened there. I'm not sitting at home.""
He studied me.
Finally, he nodded.
"Stay behind our vehicles. Don't touch anything.""
Forty minutes later, we arrived at the warehouse.
The building stood at the end of an industrial road.
Its windows were covered with metal sheets.
The sign above the entrance had been removed.
anything.""
Forty minutes later, we arrived at the warehouse.
The building stood at the end of an industrial road.
Its windows were covered with metal sheets.
The sign above the entrance had been removed.
But I recognized the brickwork.
My father had personally overseen its construction.
I stepped out of the car.
Caleb remained with Mitchell.
Brooks approached the entrance.
The silver key fitBut I recognized the brickwork.
My father had personally overseen its construction.
I stepped out of the car.
Caleb remained with Mitchell.
Brooks approached the entrance.
The silver key fit a small side door.
The lock turned.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old oil.
A narrow hallway led to a storage room.
Brooks switched on his flashlight.
There were filing cabinets against one wall.
An old desk a small side door.
The lock turned.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old oil.
A narrow hallway led to a storage room.
Brooks switched on his flashlight.
There were filing cabinets against one wall.
An old desk.
And a metal safe.
The safe had a keyhole.
Brooks looked at Caleb.
"Is this the box?""
Caleb nodded.
I held the silver key.
It fit.
The lock opened with.
And a metal safe.
The safe had a keyhole.
Brooks looked at Caleb.
"Is this the box?""
Caleb nodded.
I held the silver key.
It fit.
The lock opened with a click.
Inside were several envelopes, a laptop, and a thick ledger.
I picked up the ledger.
The first page contained dates and amounts.
The second listed account numbers.
By the fifth page, my a click.
Inside were several envelopes, a laptop, and a thick ledger.
I picked up the ledger.
The first page contained dates and amounts.
The second listed account numbers.
By the fifth page, my hands were shaking.
There were records of money transferred from my father's company.
Then records showing the same money being moved through accounts associated with Northbridge.
But the final page contained something worse.
hands were shaking.
There were records of money transferred from my father's company.
Then records showing the same money being moved through accounts associated with Northbridge.
But the final page contained something worse.
A list of names.
Richard Carter.
Vanessa Carter.
Daniel Carter.
And a fourth name.
My own.
Beside it was a note.
**A list of names.
Richard Carter.
Vanessa Carter.
Daniel Carter.
And a fourth name.
My own.
Beside it was a note.
*PRIMARY ACCOUNT HOLDER — UNKNOWING BENEFICIARY.*
I stared.
"What's this?""
Brooks took the ledger.
He turned severalPRIMARY ACCOUNT HOLDER — UNKNOWING BENEFICIARY.**
I stared.
"What's this?""
Brooks took the ledger.
He turned several pages.
Then he stopped.
"Marcus.""
I looked at him.
He pointed toward a photocopied contract.
It stated that my father had discovered the missing funds and had attempted to recover them through a civil agreement pages.
Then he stopped.
"Marcus.""
I looked at him.
He pointed toward a photocopied contract.
It stated that my father had discovered the missing funds and had attempted to recover them through a civil agreement.
But there was a handwritten amendment.
If the missing money was not repaid, Richard would be required to surrender control of the accounts.
The date was two days before my father's death.
I felt sick.
"Did my father die naturally.
But there was a handwritten amendment.
If the missing money was not repaid, Richard would be required to surrender control of the accounts.
The date was two days before my father's death.
I felt sick.
"Did my father die naturally?""
Brooks looked at the document.
"We haven't established any connection.""
Then he opened the laptop.
It was old, but the hard drive was intact.
Mitchell began examining the files.
After several minutes, she found a folder marked:
**FINAL?""
Brooks looked at the document.
"We haven't established any connection.""
Then he opened the laptop.
It was old, but the hard drive was intact.
Mitchell began examining the files.
After several minutes, she found a folder marked:
*FINAL INSTRUCTIONS — MARCUS.*
I stepped closer.
Inside was a video file.
The timestamp was dated three days before my father died.
Brooks looked at me.
"Do you want to watch it?""
I nodded.
Mitchell pressed INSTRUCTIONS — MARCUS.**
I stepped closer.
Inside was a video file.
The timestamp was dated three days before my father died.
Brooks looked at me.
"Do you want to watch it?""
I nodded.
Mitchell pressed play.
My father's face appeared on the screen.
He was sitting in his office.
He looked tired.
But his voice was clear.
"If Marcus is watching this, then something has happened that I hoped would never happen.""
He leaned play.
My father's face appeared on the screen.
He was sitting in his office.
He looked tired.
But his voice was clear.
"If Marcus is watching this, then something has happened that I hoped would never happen.""
He leaned closer to the camera.
"Son, I need you to understand that Richard is not the only person involved.""
I stopped breathing.
My father continued.
"Someone inside the family has been helping him. Someone I trusted.""
The video flick closer to the camera.
"Son, I need you to understand that Richard is not the only person involved.""
I stopped breathing.
My father continued.
"Someone inside the family has been helping him. Someone I trusted.""
The video flickered.
Then he spoke the words that made me look toward the kitchen.
"Vanessa knows more than she has admitted.""
I stared at the screen.
My father had known.
He had known before he died.
Then the video continued.
ered.
Then he spoke the words that made me look toward the kitchen.
"Vanessa knows more than she has admitted.""
I stared at the screen.
My father had known.
He had known before he died.
Then the video continued.
"But there is one person I never believed would betray us.""
He paused.
His eyes moved toward something outside the camera.
Then he said:
"Daniel.""
The screen went black.
I"But there is one person I never believed would betray us.""
He paused.
His eyes moved toward something outside the camera.
Then he said:
"Daniel.""
The screen went black.
I looked at Brooks.
"Where is he?""
Brooks didn't answer.
Instead, Mitchell turned the laptop toward us.
A new notification had appeared.
An email had been opened remotely.
The sender's name was Daniel looked at Brooks.
"Where is he?""
Brooks didn't answer.
Instead, Mitchell turned the laptop toward us.
A new notification had appeared.
An email had been opened remotely.
The sender's name was Daniel Carter.
May you like
The subject line read:
*I'M READY TO TELL YOU WHO KILLED YOUR FATHER.*
