Chapter 7: The Morning My Father Lied
I read the message until I could no longer make## Chapter 7: The Morning My Father Lied
I read the message until I could no longer make sense of the words.
sense of the words.
Ask him what he did the morning before she died.
My father had spent the past twoAsk him what he did the morning before she died.
My father had spent the past two days apologizing for not answering my mother's final calls days apologizing for not answering my mother's final calls. He had admitted that he was in Chicago when she died. He had played the voicemail in which she begged him to come home.
But there was something else.
. He had admitted that he was in Chicago when she died. He had played the voicemail in which she begged him to come home.
But there was something else.
Something he had not told me.
Renee sat beside me, watching my face.
"Amara, sweetheart, whatever that message says, we need to be careful. Someone is trying to turn youSomething he had not told me.
Renee sat beside me, watching my face.
"Amara, sweetheart, whatever that message says, we need to be careful. Someone is trying to turn you against your father.""
I shook my head.
"What if they're telling the truth?""
"Then we'll find out through evidence. Not through anonymous messages.""
She against your father.""
I shook my head.
"What if they're telling the truth?""
"Then we'll find out through evidence. Not through anonymous messages.""
She took my phone and photographed the screen before returning it to me.
"Your father loves you. That doesn't mean he's incapable of making mistakes, but it does took my phone and photographed the screen before returning it to me.
"Your father loves you. That doesn't mean he's incapable of making mistakes, but it does mean you shouldn't let a stranger decide what you believe about him.""
I wanted to agree.
I really did.
But my mother had loved my father, too.
And she mean you shouldn't let a stranger decide what you believe about him.""
I wanted to agree.
I really did.
But my mother had loved my father, too.
And she had died believing someone close to her was dangerous.
What if the person who had failed to protect her wasn't simply a grieving husband?
What if had died believing someone close to her was dangerous.
What if the person who had failed to protect her wasn't simply a grieving husband?
What if he had played a part in the chain of events that led to her death?
My phone rang.
Dad.
I answered immediately.
"Where are you?""
"At he had played a part in the chain of events that led to her death?
My phone rang.
Dad.
I answered immediately.
"Where are you?""
"At the warehouse. I'm on my way back.""
"Did you meet Daniel?""
"No. He never showed.""
I gripped the phone.
the warehouse. I'm on my way back.""
"Did you meet Daniel?""
"No. He never showed.""
I gripped the phone.
"Dad, what did you do the morning before Mom died?""
Silence.
Not confusion.
Not surprise.
Silence.
I closed my eyes.
"D"Dad, what did you do the morning before Mom died?""
Silence.
Not confusion.
Not surprise.
Silence.
I closed my eyes.
"Dad?""
"Who sent you that message?""
"Please answer me.""
He exhaled.
"Amara, I don't want to discuss this over the phone.""
"Why?""
ad?""
"Who sent you that message?""
"Please answer me.""
He exhaled.
"Amara, I don't want to discuss this over the phone.""
"Why?""
"Because I need to explain it properly.""
My stomach twisted.
"That sounds like something Celeste would say.""
The words came out before I could stop them.
Dad"Because I need to explain it properly.""
My stomach twisted.
"That sounds like something Celeste would say.""
The words came out before I could stop them.
Dad went quiet.
Then he said, "You're right.""
I opened my eyes.
"What?""
"I have spent years telling myself that there were reasons went quiet.
Then he said, "You're right.""
I opened my eyes.
"What?""
"I have spent years telling myself that there were reasons I couldn't be there for your mother. Some of those reasons were real. Some were excuses. You deserve to know the difference I couldn't be there for your mother.
Some of those reasons were real. Some were excuses. You deserve to know the difference.""
My eyes filled with tears.
"Then tell me.""
"I will. I promise.""
He paused.
"But not.""
My eyes filled with tears.
"Then tell me.""
"I will. I promise.""
He paused.
"But not until I have the records in front of me. There are things I need to verify because I won't risk giving you another until I have the records in front of me. There are things I need to verify because I won't risk giving you another incomplete version of what happened.""
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I whispered, "I'm tired of incomplete versions.""
"I know, sweetheart.""
His voice incomplete version of what happened.""
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I whispered, "I'm tired of incomplete versions.""
"I know, sweetheart.""
His voice broke.
"I'm so sorry.""
When the call ended, Renee pulled me into her arms.
I cried until my chest hurt.
broke.
"I'm so sorry.""
When the call ended, Renee pulled me into her arms.
I cried until my chest hurt.
I wasn't sure whether I was crying because I was afraid of what my father had done, or because I was beginning to understandI wasn't sure whether I was crying because I was afraid of what my father had done, or because I was beginning to understand how many people had kept pieces of the truth from me.
Perhaps those were the same thing.
how many people had kept pieces of the truth from me.
Perhaps those were the same thing.
Marcus returned to Renee's house shortly before midnight.
He looked exhausted.
His tie was loose, his jacket hung over one arm, andMarcus returned to Renee's house shortly before midnight.
He looked exhausted.
His tie was loose, his jacket hung over one arm, and his eyes were red from lack of sleep.
He hugged Renee, thanked her for staying with me, and then sat across from me at the dining table.
his eyes were red from lack of sleep.
He hugged Renee, thanked her for staying with me, and then sat across from me at the dining table.
"I owe you an explanation," he said.
I waited.
He placed a thin folder between us.
"Three years ago, the morning before your"I owe you an explanation," he said.
I waited.
He placed a thin folder between us.
"Three years ago, the morning before your mother died, I met Daniel.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Why?""
"He called me and said he had information mother died, I met Daniel.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Why?""
"He called me and said he had information about irregularities in the company's accounts. He told me Elena had been asking questions and that the situation was becoming dangerous for the business.""
"Did he about irregularities in the company's accounts. He told me Elena had been asking questions and that the situation was becoming dangerous for the business.""
"Did he know Mom was afraid of Celeste?""
"Not that he admitted.""
Dad opened the folder.
Inside was know Mom was afraid of Celeste?""
"Not that he admitted.""
Dad opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of an email.
Daniel had sent it at 7:12 a.m. on the day before the accident.
*We need to speak before Elena makes a copy of an email.
Daniel had sent it at 7:12 a.m. on the day before the accident.
We need to speak before Elena makes a decision that could damage everyone involved.
My father rubbed his forehead.
"I met him at a hotel near the airport before my flight to a decision that could damage everyone involved.*
My father rubbed his forehead.
"I met him at a hotel near the airport before my flight to Chicago. He told me your mother was preparing to change the trust and remove certain people from positions of authority.""
"Was she?""
"Yes Chicago. He told me your mother was preparing to change the trust and remove certain people from positions of authority.""
"Was she?""
"Yes. But Daniel made it sound as though she was acting out of anger, not because she had evidence.""
I stared at him.
"What. But Daniel made it sound as though she was acting out of anger, not because she had evidence.""
I stared at him.
"What did you do?""
"I told him I would speak to Elena when I returned.""
"You didn't call her?""
"I did.""
He looked down.
did you do?""
"I told him I would speak to Elena when I returned.""
"You didn't call her?""
"I did.""
He looked down.
"She didn't answer the first call. I left a message. When she called back, I was already in a meeting, and I sent her a text asking"She didn't answer the first call.
I left a message. When she called back, I was already in a meeting, and I sent her a text asking her to wait until I got home.""
I stared at him.
"She was asking you for help, and you told her to wait?""
His eyes filled.
"Yes her to wait until I got home.""
I stared at him.
"She was asking you for help, and you told her to wait?""
His eyes filled.
"Yes.""
The answer was so simple.
So terrible.
I pushed my chair back.
"Why?""
"Because I thought I.""
The answer was so simple.
So terrible.
I pushed my chair back.
"Why?""
"Because I thought I had more time.""
I stood, shaking.
"You always thought you had more time!""
Renee rose from had more time.""
I stood, shaking.
"You always thought you had more time!""
Renee rose from her chair, but Dad lifted a hand to stop her.
I couldn't look at him.
"You were building your company. her chair, but Dad lifted a hand to stop her.
I couldn't look at him.
"You were building your company. You were traveling. You were busy. And Mom was trying to tell you something was wrong.""
"I know.""
"And you didn't listen.""
"I know, Amara You were traveling. You were busy. And Mom was trying to tell you something was wrong.""
"I know.""
"And you didn't listen.""
"I know, Amara.""
"Then why should I believe you now?""
His face crumpled.
"You shouldn't have to believe me just because I'm your father. You should be allowed.""
"Then why should I believe you now?""
His face crumpled.
"You shouldn't have to believe me just because I'm your father. You should be allowed to ask questions and see the evidence.""
He closed the folder.
"I can't undo what I did. But I can stop to ask questions and see the evidence.""
He closed the folder.
"I can't undo what I did. But I can stop hiding from it.""
I turned toward the window.
Outside, the streetlights cast pale circles across hiding from it.""
I turned toward the window.
Outside, the streetlights cast pale circles across the pavement.
I remembered my mother sitting on the edge of my bed, smoothing my hair while she explained that adults the pavement.
I remembered my mother sitting on the edge of my bed, smoothing my hair while she explained that adults sometimes made mistakes.
She had told me that the important thing was whether they were willing to admit those mistakes.
I wondered whether she had been talking about my father.
Or herself.
Or both sometimes made mistakes.
She had told me that the important thing was whether they were willing to admit those mistakes.
I wondered whether she had been talking about my father.
Or herself.
Or both.
Dad stood.
"I'm going to give you some space.""
He started toward the door.
"Wait.""
He turned.
I.
Dad stood.
"I'm going to give you some space.""
He started toward the door.
"Wait.""
He turned.
I swallowed.
"Did you know Celeste was involved with the trust?""
"No.""
"Did you know she was pressuring Mom?""
"No.""
"Did you ever ask swallowed.
"Did you know Celeste was involved with the trust?""
"No.""
"Did you know she was pressuring Mom?""
"No.""
"Did you ever ask why Mom didn't want to spend time with her?""
He hesitated.
"Your mother told me they why Mom didn't want to spend time with her?""
He hesitated.
"Your mother told me they had disagreements. I thought it was about the wedding.""
"Did she ever tell you she was afraid?""
Dad lowered his head.
"No had disagreements. I thought it was about the wedding.""
"Did she ever tell you she was afraid?""
Dad lowered his head.
"No.""
I watched him carefully.
For the first time, I believed him.
Not because he had a good explanation.
Because he looked like a man who finally understood that the truth.""
I watched him carefully.
For the first time, I believed him.
Not because he had a good explanation.
Because he looked like a man who finally understood that the truth was worse than the excuse.
The next morning, Evelyn called.
She had obtained preliminary information about the vehicle repair shop and was working with investigators was worse than the excuse.
The next morning, Evelyn called.
She had obtained preliminary information about the vehicle repair shop and was working with investigators to locate the former mechanic.
She also had news about Daniel.
"He has retained an attorney," she explained over the phone.
"He says he never met Marcus at to locate the former mechanic.
She also had news about Daniel.
"He has retained an attorney," she explained over the phone.
"He says he never met Marcus at the warehouse and denies involvement in any unauthorized transfers.""
Dad stood beside me, listening.
"Can his attorney arrange an interview?""
"Yes, the warehouse and denies involvement in any unauthorized transfers.""
Dad stood beside me, listening.
"Can his attorney arrange an interview?""
"Yes, but Daniel is insisting that any conversation take place through counsel.""
Dad nodded.
"Fine. We'll do it properly.""
Evelyn paused.
"There's another issue. The trust records but Daniel is insisting that any conversation take place through counsel.""
Dad nodded.
"Fine. We'll do it properly.""
Evelyn paused.
"There's another issue. The trust records show that a portion of the disputed money was transferred into an account connected to Celeste's brother. But that account was closed shortly after show that a portion of the disputed money was transferred into an account connected to Celeste's brother. But that account was closed shortly after Elena's death.""
"Can we trace where the money went?""
"We're working on it.""
I leaned toward the phone.
"What about the medication?""
Evelyn Elena's death.""
"Can we trace where the money went?""
"We're working on it.""
I leaned toward the phone.
"What about the medication?""
Evelyn's voice softened.
"The full records have been requested. We don't yet know whether the discrepancy was accidental, administrative, or intentional.""
I swallowed.
"Could someone's voice softened.
"The full records have been requested. We don't yet know whether the discrepancy was accidental, administrative, or intentional.""
I swallowed.
"Could someone have changed Mom's prescription?""
"Possibly. But we need evidence before drawing conclusions.""
After the call, Dad took me to the kitchen.
He made breakfast while have changed Mom's prescription?""
"Possibly. But we need evidence before drawing conclusions.""
After the call, Dad took me to the kitchen.
He made breakfast while I sat at the island, watching him struggle to crack an egg without breaking the yolk.
I almost laughed.
My mother had once told me that Dad could I sat at the island, watching him struggle to crack an egg without breaking the yolk.
I almost laughed.
My mother had once told me that Dad could negotiate a multimillion-dollar contract but couldn't make a decent omelet.
"She used to stand right there," I said.
Dad looked negotiate a multimillion-dollar contract but couldn't make a decent omelet.
"She used to stand right there," I said.
Dad looked up.
"Where?""
"Beside the stove. She'd make pancakes while you read the newspaper.""
He smiled sadly.
"She always up.
"Where?""
"Beside the stove. She'd make pancakes while you read the newspaper.""
He smiled sadly.
"She always stole my coffee.""
"And you always pretended to be annoyed.""
"Because she knew it drove me crazy.""
For a stole my coffee.""
"And you always pretended to be annoyed.""
"Because she knew it drove me crazy.""
For a moment, we remembered her without talking about the accident, the documents, or Celeste.
Then Dad placed a plate in front of me.
"I moment, we remembered her without talking about the accident, the documents, or Celeste.
Then Dad placed a plate in front of me.
"I know I can't make up for the years I wasn't paying attention.""
I picked up my fork.
"But I want to start showing up now.""
I looked know I can't make up for the years I wasn't paying attention.""
I picked up my fork.
"But I want to start showing up now.""
I looked at him.
"Then don't leave when things get difficult.""
He nodded.
"I won't.""
My phone vibrated on the counter.
A at him.
"Then don't leave when things get difficult.""
He nodded.
"I won't.""
My phone vibrated on the counter.
A new email had arrived from an unfamiliar address.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only an attachment.
**EL new email had arrived from an unfamiliar address.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only an attachment.
*ELENA_BENNETT_LAST_CALL.wav*
I stared at it.
Dad moved beside me.
"Don't open it yet.""
I looked upENA_BENNETT_LAST_CALL.wav**
I stared at it.
Dad moved beside me.
"Don't open it yet.""
I looked up.
"Why?""
"Because we need to establish where it came from and preserve the original.""
He took a photograph of the screen, then forwarded the message.
"Why?""
"Because we need to establish where it came from and preserve the original.""
He took a photograph of the screen, then forwarded the message to Evelyn through the appropriate channel.
Within minutes, she called back.
"Marcus, do not delete that email. The metadata may be useful. We'll have the file examined before to Evelyn through the appropriate channel.
Within minutes, she called back.
"Marcus, do not delete that email. The metadata may be useful. We'll have the file examined before anyone listens to it.""
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
"We're going to anyone listens to it.""
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
"We're going to do this carefully.""
I looked at the attachment again.
Three years ago, my mother had left messages asking for help.
Now someone had sent us a recording they claimed was her final call.
I wondered how much do this carefully.""
I looked at the attachment again.
Three years ago, my mother had left messages asking for help.
Now someone had sent us a recording they claimed was her final call.
I wondered how much more of her voice had been hidden from us.
And I wondered who had decided that, after three years of silence, it was finally time for us to hear it.
May you like
more of her voice had been hidden from us.
And I wondered who had decided that, after three years of silence, it was finally time for us to hear it.
