Chapter 4: The Aunt Who Wanted Him Silent
Jada read the name twice.
“Denise?””
Peter nodded.
“The record indicates that she personally signed for the document twelve years ago.””
Raymond looked at the date.
Twelve years.
That was the year Jada's mother, Elaine, had died.
It was also the year Denise had become increasingly involved in the family's affairs.
Raymond remembered how she'd offered to help with Jada's school applications.
How she'd introduced herself to university officials as the person responsible for managing the family's educational interests.
How she'd gradually begun speaking for Raymond whenever someone asked about the Bennett family.
At the time, he hadn't objected.
He was working long hours.
Raising a teenage daughter.
Trying to keep his small house and old truck running.
He had assumed Denise was simply being helpful.
Now he wondered how much of that help had come with an agenda.
“Why would she take that document?”” Jada asked.
The senior archivist shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Raymond closed the ledger.
“Then let's ask her.””
Denise was in her office when they arrived.
She was speaking on the phone.
“No, the conference suite is still scheduled for December. The private partners have already committed.””
She noticed Raymond and immediately ended the call.
“What are you doing here?””
Raymond placed a copy of the archive record on her desk.
“I found something with your name on it.””
Denise barely glanced at the paper.
“I'm very busy.””
“Did you collect the Whitaker Declaration twelve years ago?””
Her expression didn't change.
“I've handled hundreds of university documents.””
“Did you collect this one?””
Denise opened a drawer and took out a pen.
“Raymond, whatever you think you've discovered, I suggest you discuss it with the president.””
“I did.””
“Then you should understand that this university has procedures.””
Jada stepped forward.
“Why did you take the declaration?””
Denise looked at her niece.
“Because your mother asked me to.””
The words stopped Jada.
“My mother?””
“Yes.””
Raymond's face tightened.
“Elaine knew about the declaration?””
Denise nodded.
“She was worried about your father.””
Raymond stared.
“What does that mean?””
Denise sighed.
“Elaine believed you were becoming too attached to your father's land. She wanted to make sure the university could continue operating without interference from family members.””
Jada shook her head.
“Mom would never have wanted you to destroy Grandpa's workshop.””
“You were a child. You don't know what your mother wanted.””
“I know what she taught me.””
Denise stood.
“Your mother was a practical woman. She understood that institutions require money.””
“And Grandpa understood that education requires opportunity,” Raymond replied.
Denise looked at him.
“Your father was sentimental.””
“He was generous.””
“He gave away land and expected the world to follow his rules.””
“No,” Raymond said.
“He gave land because he believed people deserved a chance.””
Denise laughed bitterly.
“And look where that got him.””
Raymond remained still.
“Where did you put the declaration?””
“I don't have it.””
“Who does?””
“I don't know.””
Jada stared at her.
“You signed for it.””
“Your mother asked me to collect it.””
“Then where is it?””
Denise's voice rose.
“Enough!””
She pointed toward the door.
“I have spent years protecting this family from the consequences of your father's decisions. I helped Jada get into Westbridge. I introduced her to donors. I made sure she had opportunities.””
Jada looked at her in disbelief.
“I earned my scholarship.””
“You received opportunities because I made connections.””
Raymond quietly interrupted.
“She earned every grade herself.””
Denise slammed her pen onto the desk.
“And what did you do, Raymond? You worked construction jobs and came home smelling like gasoline. You never understood how this world works.””
Raymond glanced at his hands.
Then he looked at her.
“Maybe not.””
He paused.
“But I know how to keep a promise.””
For a moment, Denise said nothing.
Then she picked up her phone.
“Security will escort you out if you don't leave.””
Raymond nodded.
“We're going.””
He turned toward the door.
But before he stepped outside, Denise spoke again.
“One more thing.””
He stopped.
“You should ask yourself why Elaine trusted me with that document instead of you.””
Raymond looked back.
Denise smiled faintly.
“Perhaps she knew something about you that you never wanted to admit.””
Jada stepped toward her.
“Don't use my mother to manipulate him.””
Denise's smile disappeared.
“Go home, Jada.””
Raymond placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
They walked out.
Neither spoke until they reached the parking lot.
Raymond sat behind the wheel of his old pickup.
The bouquet of sunflowers lay on the passenger seat.
One of the petals had fallen onto the floor.
Jada sat beside him.
“Dad, do you think Mom knew?””
Raymond looked through the windshield.
“I don't know.””
“Did she ever talk to you about Grandpa's land?””
“Not really.””
“Then why would Aunt Denise say she did?””
Raymond rubbed his forehead.
“Your mother and I didn't always agree about your aunt.””
Jada turned toward him.
“What do you mean?””
He hesitated.
“Elaine loved her sister. But she didn't trust her with money.””
Jada frowned.
“Why?””
“Your mother once told me that Denise had borrowed money from her and never explained where it went.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't want you growing up between two sisters' problems.””
Jada looked down at her hands.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unfamiliar number.
*Jada, you need to tell your father to stop looking into the Whitmore Development project. He has no idea what he's about to uncover.*
She showed Raymond.
He read it.
“Do you know this number?””
“No.””
Another message appeared.
*Your mother left something behind. Denise knows where it is.*
Jada's breathing changed.
“What does that mean?””
Raymond reached for his phone.
Before he could respond, another message arrived.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed Elaine Bennett standing beside a woman in front of Westbridge University's old library.
Denise.
But there was someone else in the photograph.
A man Raymond recognized immediately.
Thomas Whitaker.
The university's founding president.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written:
The truth about the original trust is in the safe.
May you like
And beneath that sentence was a date.
*November 18.*
