Chapter 7: The Envelope My Father Hid
I barely slept that night.
I enlarged the photograph until the pixels blurred.
My father looked tired, but alert.
Daniel Price stood beside him with one hand resting on the desk.
Between them was a thick brown envelope sealed with a strip of red tape.
I recognized the desk.
It had been in my father's old office, the room my mother converted into storage after his death.
The envelope bothered me more than anything else.
Why had someone kept this photograph for eleven years?
And why had they chosen now to send it?
At 7:15 a.m., I called the unknown number.
A woman answered.
"Hello?""
"Who is this?""
There was a pause.
"My name is Linda Brooks.""
I searched my memory.
Nothing.
"How do you know my father?""
"I worked for him.""
I sat up.
"You worked at Robert Carter Holdings?""
"Yes. I was his administrative assistant for almost seven years.""
I remembered my father mentioning Linda occasionally.
She had handled his schedules, invoices, and correspondence.
"Why are you contacting me now?""
"Because I saw what happened at your mother's birthday dinner.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
"My niece was one of the guests. She showed me the video.""
I closed my eyes.
The humiliation had traveled farther than I imagined.
Linda continued.
"I recognized your mother. And I recognized Daniel in the documents your cousin shared.""
"Do you know what happened to the envelope?""
"Yes.""
I stood up.
"Where is it?""
Linda lowered her voice.
"Your father gave it to me three days before he died. He told me not to hand it to your mother.""
I gripped the phone.
"Do you still have it?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you give it to me?""
"I tried.""
"When?""
"After your father died, I called your mother's house. She told me you didn't want anything to do with the business.""
I felt sick.
"That's not true.""
"I know that now.""
"What's inside?""
Linda took a breath.
"Original bank statements, copies of several checks, and a letter your father wrote.""
"About Daniel?""
"About Daniel and your mother.""
I sat down.
"Can I meet you?""
"Yes. But I want your attorney present.""
"That's fine.""
We arranged to meet at Rebecca's office that afternoon.
Before the meeting, Rebecca and I visited Daniel's accounting office.
A receptionist greeted us.
"Good afternoon. How can I help you?""
Rebecca introduced herself.
"We're requesting access to certain corporate records relating to Robert Carter Holdings.""
The receptionist looked uncertain.
"Mr. Price is unavailable.""
"Then we'd like to schedule an appointment.""
She checked her computer.
"One moment.""
A few seconds later, a door opened.
Daniel Price walked into the reception area.
He was a tall man in his early sixties, with silver hair and a navy suit.
I recognized him immediately.
He looked at me.
"Nia.""
His tone was warm.
Too warm.
"I haven't seen you in years.""
"Neither have I.""
He extended his hand.
I didn't take it.
Rebecca stepped forward.
"We're reviewing the records of Robert Carter Holdings. We understand your office maintained certain financial documents.""
Daniel smiled.
"That was a long time ago.""
"Some of the records appear to remain active.""
"Then there must be a misunderstanding.""
Rebecca opened her folder.
"We have documentation showing recurring transfers from the company account to DP Financial Services.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"Those were legitimate administrative payments.""
"Can you provide supporting invoices?""
"Of course.""
"Then we would appreciate copies.""
He looked at me.
"Your father and I had a complicated business relationship. I hope you're not assuming something improper happened.""
I held his gaze.
"My father specifically instructed his attorney not to allow you to control the records.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Your father was very ill toward the end.""
"Was he confused when he wrote that?""
Daniel glanced at Rebecca.
"I don't think this conversation is appropriate.""
Rebecca closed her folder.
"Then we'll continue through formal channels.""
As we turned to leave, Daniel spoke again.
"Nia, your mother is trying to protect you.""
I stopped.
"From what?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he adjusted his cufflinks.
"Some things are better left alone.""
I walked out without responding.
At 2:00 p.m., Linda Brooks arrived at Rebecca's office carrying a small locked metal case.
She placed it on the conference table.
"This belonged to your father.""
I stared at it.
The case was scratched along the edges.
My father used to keep important documents in something similar.
Linda produced a small key.
"I kept it all these years.""
She opened the case.
Inside were several envelopes, bank statements, photographs, and a handwritten letter.
The first envelope contained copies of company checks.
I examined the dates.
They matched the recurring transfers Rebecca had found.
But the amounts were different.
Some checks were for $11,000.
Others were for $18,500.
One was for $42,000.
The recipient was always DP Financial Services.
I looked at Linda.
"Did you process these?""
"No. I found copies in the accounting files after your father asked me to investigate.""
"Why did he suspect Daniel?""
Linda took a breath.
"Because some payments were being made for services that didn't exist.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Do you have the original invoices?""
Linda nodded.
She removed another envelope.
Inside were several invoices bearing Daniel's company logo.
But the service descriptions were vague.
Financial consulting.
Estate administration.
Corporate restructuring.
No detailed work descriptions.
No supporting receipts.
Rebecca examined them.
"These are suspicious.""
Linda nodded.
"Your father thought so, too.""
I looked at the photographs.
One showed my father standing beside Daniel.
Another showed my mother entering the accounting office.
The third showed Claire.
I frowned.
"Why is Claire here?""
Linda looked uncomfortable.
"That photograph was taken six years ago.""
"What was she doing?""
"She came with your mother to collect some company documents.""
I stared at the image.
Claire was carrying a folder.
Linda continued.
"Your mother told me she was helping with the family business.""
"Claire was twenty-three.""
"I know.""
I looked at the date.
It was after I had started Carter Hospitality Solutions.
Before I had become financially successful.
"Was she involved in the company?""
"Not officially.""
"Then why did she have access?""
Linda shook her head.
"That was one of the things your father was concerned about.""
I opened the handwritten letter.
My father's familiar handwriting filled the page.
Linda,
If I cannot resolve this before my health gets worse, please keep these records safe.
Evelyn believes that Daniel is helping her manage the business. I believe he is taking advantage of her, but I am beginning to suspect that she knows more than she admits.
I stopped reading.
My mother knew?
I continued.
I have found payments that cannot be explained. I have also discovered that documents have been signed in my name without my knowledge.
I am afraid the situation will become worse after I'm gone.
Please protect Nia's inheritance. She is the only one I trust to understand what I was trying to build.
My eyes filled.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
There is one document I have not been able to locate. It is the original ownership register. If Daniel finds it, he may be able to make claims against the remaining properties.
I looked up.
"Where is the ownership register?""
Linda shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Rebecca studied the letter.
"Was your father keeping the register at his office?""
"Yes.""
"Then where did the records go after his death?""
Linda looked at me.
"Your mother collected everything.""
My heart sank.
"Everything?""
"She said she wanted to preserve his business records.""
Rebecca closed the folder.
"Do you have evidence that she removed the documents?""
Linda nodded.
She took out a final sheet.
It was a signed inventory receipt.
The recipient's signature read:
Evelyn Carter.
The date was two days after my father's funeral.
I stared at the page.
My mother had taken the records.
And now we had evidence that she knew exactly what she was collecting.
But Linda wasn't finished.
"There is one more thing," she said.
"What?""
She reached into the case and removed a small envelope.
It had my name written across it.
Nia.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph of my father holding me when I was about five years old.
On the back, he had written:
My daughter. The one person I hope will never have to fight for what belongs to her.
Beneath the photograph was a small folded note.
I opened it.
If Evelyn asks you to sign anything after my death, don't.
My hands began trembling.
Rebecca looked at me.
"There's something we need to do immediately.""
"What?""
"Find the original ownership register before your mother or Daniel can use it.""
I looked at Linda.
"Do you know where my mother kept the documents?""
Linda hesitated.
Then she said:
"Your father's old house.""
The same house my mother had inherited after his death.
May you like
The same house where she had stored his office furniture, business records, and personal belongings.
And the same house where she had told me there was nothing left for me.
