Chapter 6: The Second Beneficiary
“A second policy?”” I repeated.
Daniel's voice was tight.
“Yes. The insurer has located another application submitted approximately eleven months ago. It lists you as the insured person, but the beneficiary is not Marcus.””
I looked at the document on the dining table.
Marcus had stopped smiling.
“Who is it?”” I asked.
Daniel paused.
“Robert Carter.””
My father's name.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
“That's impossible. My father died six years ago.””
“I know. That's why I need you to listen carefully. The application appears to have been submitted using an old trust structure. The insurer is investigating how it was processed.””
I looked at Marcus.
He was staring at the phone.
“Who told you that?”” he demanded.
I turned away from him.
“Daniel, what should I do?””
“Don't sign anything. Don't destroy anything. And don't allow Marcus to remove documents from the house. I'll be there shortly.””
The call ended.
Marcus slowly sat down.
“Give me the phone.””
“No.””
“Denise, give me the phone.””
I slipped it into my pocket.
Rachel stood beside the staircase, looking terrified.
“Marcus,” she said, “what is happening?””
He ignored her.
He stared at the old document.
“Where did you get that?””
I placed my hand over it.
“Why does my father's name appear on an insurance application?””
“It's complicated.””
“Then explain it.””
He walked toward the window.
“You don't understand how your father arranged his finances.””
“I understand that he died six years ago.””
“He had business interests that continued after his death.””
“That's not an answer.””
Marcus turned around.
“Your father made enemies, Denise. People who wanted his money. People who wanted his company.””
I felt a chill.
“What enemies?””
He rubbed his jaw.
“Your father wasn't the innocent businessman you remember.””
I stepped closer.
“Don't you dare use my father's death to distract me.””
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“I'm telling you the truth.””
“No. You're telling me a story that changes every time I ask a question.””
He looked at Rachel.
“Get out.””
Rachel didn't move.
“I heard what you said.””
“I said get out.””
She lifted her chin.
“I'm not leaving my sister alone with you.””
Marcus laughed.
“Your sister? You took my money.””
Rachel's face crumpled.
“And you used me.””
“I helped you.””
“You paid me to spy on her.””
His expression hardened.
“Watch your mouth.””
I moved between them.
“Enough.””
For a moment, all three of us stood in silence.
Then Marcus picked up the old document.
I grabbed his wrist.
“Put it down.””
He looked at my hand.
“You have no idea what you're holding.””
“Then tell me.””
He pulled away.
“Your father knew I was going to marry you.””
I frowned.
“Of course he knew.””
“No. He knew something else.””
Marcus looked directly into my eyes.
“He knew I was interested in the Carter business long before I met you.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
He didn't answer.
Instead, he closed the folder and walked toward the stairs.
“I'm going upstairs.””
“Marcus.””
He stopped.
“Don't touch anything in my father's documents.””
He looked over his shoulder.
“Your father's documents?””
His smile was bitter.
“Denise, half the things you think belong to you were built on money you never earned.””
Then he disappeared upstairs.
I heard the bedroom door slam.
Rachel let out a shaky breath.
“Denise…”
I sat down.
For the first time that evening, my hands were trembling.
Daniel arrived twenty minutes later.
He came through the front door carrying a second briefcase.
“Where is Marcus?””
“Upstairs.””
“Has he removed anything?””
“Not that I know of.””
Daniel looked at the folder.
“May I?””
I handed it to him.
He examined the document carefully.
“This is an old trust amendment.””
“What does it mean?””
“Your father created a protective clause. If certain financial misconduct occurred, control of the trust would transfer to an independent trustee.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked at the name.
“Eleanor Whitmore.””
I stared.
“Who is she?””
Daniel closed the folder.
“Your father's former business partner.””
I shook my head.
“My father never mentioned a business partner named Eleanor.””
“He may have deliberately kept that relationship separate from your family life.””
“Is she alive?””
Daniel nodded.
“She is.””
“Where?””
“Boston.””
I leaned back.
“Why would my father leave her in charge of my inheritance?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Because she was involved in establishing the trust. According to these documents, she was also responsible for investigating any attempt to misuse its assets.””
I looked toward the stairs.
“Does Marcus know her?””
Daniel's expression changed.
“I believe he does.””
Before I could ask another question, footsteps sounded overhead.
Marcus appeared at the top of the staircase with a suitcase.
“I'm leaving.””
Daniel stood.
“Marcus, I strongly recommend that you preserve all relevant records and refrain from moving property connected to the trust.””
Marcus laughed.
“You don't get to tell me what to do in my own home.””
Daniel remained calm.
“Then I suggest you read the ownership records.””
Marcus came down the stairs.
He stopped in front of me.
“Denise, we're not finished.””
I looked at the suitcase.
“Where are you going?””
“Somewhere I can think.””
“Vanessa's?””
His expression tightened.
“That's none of your business.””
I almost smiled.
“Apparently, it became my business when you used my inheritance to fund her company.””
He leaned closer.
“You think you've won?””
“No.””
I stood.
“I think I've finally started fighting.””
He stared at me for several seconds.
Then he walked out.
The front door slammed.
Rachel covered her face.
Daniel watched the door close.
“Denise, there's something I haven't told you.””
I turned.
“What?””
He opened his briefcase and removed an old photograph.
It showed my father standing beside a woman with short silver hair.
I recognized the woman immediately.
Not from my childhood.
From the picture on the wall of Marcus's home office.
The woman was Eleanor Whitmore.
And standing beside her was a much younger Marcus.
May you like
Daniel placed the photograph in front of me.
“Your husband knew Eleanor long before he met you.””
