Chapter 7: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
I looked at Michael.
He looked at me.
Neither of us moved.
“That's impossible,” he whispered.
The receptionist called again.
“Mr. Bennett? The visitor is waiting downstairs.””
I grabbed my brother's arm.
“Let's go.””
We hurried toward the elevators.
My mind was racing.
If Rebecca was dead, who had been buried six years ago?
And if the woman downstairs really was Rebecca, why had she waited until now to contact us?
The elevator doors opened.
A woman stood near the reception desk.
She wore a navy coat and carried a brown leather handbag.
Her hair was shorter than in the photograph.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
Michael stopped walking.
“Rebecca?””
The woman turned.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Then her eyes moved to me.
“Daniel.””
My mouth went dry.
“Who are you?””
She gave a sad smile.
“I suppose that's a fair question.””
Michael stepped forward.
“We were told you died.””
“I know.””
“Your family held a funeral.””
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
“That wasn't my funeral.””
I stared at her.
“Then whose was it?””
She looked toward the hospital windows.
“My sister's.””
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
“You had a sister?””
“An older sister. Elizabeth.””
Michael looked stunned.
“Dad never mentioned her.””
“Your father didn't know her very well.””
Rebecca opened her handbag and removed a folded document.
“My sister had been using my name for years. When she died, the paperwork was confused. Someone identified her as me.””
I stared at the document.
It was a death certificate.
Rebecca Morgan.
But the photograph attached to the identification file showed another woman.
I looked up.
“Why didn't you correct it?””
Rebecca's expression hardened.
“Because someone wanted me dead.””
Michael took a step toward her.
“Who?””
“Victor.””
The name seemed to drain the warmth from the room.
Rebecca continued.
“He knew about the trust. He knew Richard had set money aside for Lily. When your father died, Victor began demanding access.””
“Why?””
“Because Lily was his daughter. He believed he had a right to the money.””
I shook my head.
“Then why did Claire transfer it?””
Rebecca looked directly at me.
“Because Claire was being threatened.””
“By Victor?””
“Yes.””
I folded my arms.
“That's a convenient explanation.””
Rebecca nodded.
“I understand why you don't trust me.””
“Do you?””
I stepped closer.
“You've been missing for six years. My wife has been hiding financial documents. My daughter has been carrying evidence around in a schoolbag. And now you're standing here telling me you know everything.””
Rebecca didn't argue.
Instead, she reached into her handbag and removed another photograph.
This one showed a young Claire holding a baby.
My stomach tightened.
“That's Maya.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“Then who is it?””
“Lily.””
I stared at the picture.
The baby had dark hair and a small birthmark near her left ear.
I remembered Maya had a similar mark.
Rebecca noticed my expression.
“That's why Richard became concerned.””
Michael leaned against the wall.
“Rebecca, we need the truth.””
She nodded.
“Your father suspected that Claire and Victor were using Lily's identity to access the trust. He asked me to help him investigate.””
“Why Claire?”” I asked.
“Because she was the only person who had access to the financial records.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Where does Maya fit into this?””
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she said:
“Claire gave birth to Maya. But there is something about her birth records you need to understand.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What?””
“Your father's solicitor discovered that someone had submitted a request to change Maya's original birth registration.””
“Who?””
“Claire.””
Michael closed his eyes.
Rebecca continued.
“Your father was worried that the change had been made to conceal something about the trust.””
I stared at her.
“Are you saying Maya isn't my daughter?””
Rebecca looked at me for a long moment.
Then she shook her head.
“I'm saying that I don't know.””
I almost shouted.
“How can you not know?””
“Because I never met Maya's biological father.””
“Then why did you tell Dad she might be his?””
Rebecca's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Victor.””
She looked down at her hands.
“Six years ago, Lily disappeared.””
Michael straightened.
“What?””
“Victor took her. He told me he was sending her to live with relatives. I later discovered that he had used her name to access the trust.””
I felt sick.
“Where was she?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“I don't know.””
“Then how did Claire get involved?””
“Claire was supposed to help me find Lily.””
“And instead?””
“She helped Victor.””
I shook my head.
“Why?””
Rebecca wiped her eyes.
“Because Victor had evidence that could destroy her marriage.””
“What evidence?””
Rebecca looked directly at me.
“Claire had been using your identity to create accounts. Victor threatened to expose her unless she continued moving money.””
I looked toward the elevator.
My wife had been trapped.
But that didn't excuse what she'd done.
“Why did you come here today?””
Rebecca reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a small envelope.
“Because I received a message from Claire.””
“What did it say?””
Rebecca handed me the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
The backpack is with Daniel. The USB is still inside. Please get Lily before Victor does.
I looked up.
“Lily?””
Rebecca nodded.
“She isn't missing anymore.””
My heart began pounding.
“Where is she?””
Rebecca looked toward the upper floors.
Then she whispered:
“She is at this hospital.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Rebecca pointed toward the children's ward.
“Room 418.””
I turned.
Maya's room was 412.
I looked at Michael.
Then at Rebecca.
“Why would Lily be here?””
Rebecca's face crumpled.
“Because she was brought in last night.””
“Brought in for what?””
Rebecca swallowed.
“She was found unconscious in the back of Victor's car.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“Is she alive?””
Rebecca nodded.
“But she's refusing to speak to anyone.””
I looked toward the elevators.
“Take me to her.””
Rebecca caught my sleeve.
“Daniel, there's something else.””
I stopped.
“What?””
“Lily asked about you.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
Rebecca looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Because she believes you're the only person who can tell her who she really is.””
Before I could ask another question, a hospital staff member approached us.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“Yes?””
“The young girl in room 418 has asked to see someone.””
“Who?””
The staff member looked at Rebecca.
May you like
Then back at me.
“She wants to see her father.””
