Chapter 6: The Witness Who Betrayed His Own Family
“Daniel Whitmore?””
Raymond repeated the name as if saying it aloud might somehow make the situation less absurd.
On the other end of the phone, President Marcus Ellison remained silent.
“Yes,” Marcus finally answered.
“Your brother-in-law has submitted a sworn statement claiming he witnessed Elijah Bennett transfer the educational trust to Denise.””
Raymond looked at Jada.
Her expression had changed.
“Uncle Daniel?”” she whispered.
Raymond nodded.
Daniel Whitmore was Elaine's younger brother.
He was also the man who had stood beside Raymond at his wife's funeral, promising that he would always look after Jada.
For years, Daniel had been part of their family gatherings.
He had attended Jada's birthday parties, brought Christmas presents, and occasionally borrowed money from Raymond when his business was struggling.
Raymond remembered helping him repair a broken fence one summer.
He remembered Daniel sitting at his kitchen table, eating Elaine's homemade apple pie.
And now Daniel was claiming to have witnessed a document that could strip Raymond of his father's inheritance and destroy the agreement protecting Westbridge students.
“When is the meeting?”” Raymond asked.
“Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock.””
“Then I'll be there.””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Raymond, I need you to understand something. Denise has already contacted several board members. She's arguing that you're attempting to interfere with a legitimate development agreement.””
“I don't care what she's arguing.””
“She also intends to challenge your eligibility as successor trustee.””
Raymond looked at the brass key in his hand.
“Then she'd better bring every document she has.””
Marcus paused.
“There's one more thing. Daniel claims your father signed the transfer agreement at the hospital shortly before he died.””
Raymond's face tightened.
“My father was unconscious during his final hours.””
“That's what I told the legal committee.””
“Then how can Daniel claim he witnessed it?””
“I don't know.””
Raymond ended the call.
For a moment, he stood beside the pickup without moving.
Jada approached him.
“Dad, do you think Uncle Daniel is lying?””
Raymond stared at the road.
“I hope not.””
“Why would he do this?””
“That's something we're going to ask him.””
At 7:30 the following morning, Raymond and Jada arrived at Westbridge University.
The board meeting was scheduled in the old administration building.
It was the same building Victor had identified as the location of Elaine's hidden safe.
Construction fencing surrounded the eastern entrance.
A demolition company had already parked two excavators near the rear wall.
Raymond stopped walking.
“Victor said they were supposed to wait until tomorrow.””
Jada looked at the machinery.
“Dad, they're getting ready to tear it down.””
A worker approached them.
“Can I help you?””
Raymond showed him the university's legal access authorization.
“We need access to the former records room.””
The worker examined the paper.
“I'm sorry, sir. We have instructions not to let anyone inside.””
“Whose instructions?””
“Ms. Whitmore's office.””
Raymond looked at Jada.
Then he pulled out his phone and called Marcus.
The president answered immediately.
“Raymond?””
“We're outside the administration building. The demolition crew is already here.””
Marcus sounded surprised.
“What? The order was supposed to be suspended pending review.””
“Apparently nobody told the contractor.””
“I'll call security.””
A minute later, two university security officers approached.
One of them recognized Raymond from the graduation ceremony.
“Mr. Bennett, President Ellison asked us to escort you inside.””
The worker stepped aside reluctantly.
Raymond entered.
The building smelled of dust, old paper, and damp plaster.
He had walked through it years earlier when Elaine worked with the university's scholarship committee.
She had loved the place.
She once told him that the old administration building had the most beautiful windows on campus.
Now several windows were boarded up.
A section of the hallway ceiling had already been removed.
Victor waited near the former records room.
“You made it.””
Raymond shook his hand.
“Is the safe still there?””
Victor pointed toward the wall.
“Behind that cabinet.””
They moved a heavy wooden filing cabinet.
Behind it was a section of plaster that looked slightly different from the surrounding wall.
Victor tapped it.
“Hollow.””
One of the security officers brought a small tool from the maintenance office.
After several minutes, they removed a narrow panel.
Behind it sat a steel safe.
Jada stared.
“Mom knew this was here?””
Victor nodded.
“She helped install it after your grandfather died.””
Raymond took out the brass key.
His fingers trembled as he inserted it.
The lock turned.
Inside the safe were three envelopes, a leather-bound notebook, and a sealed document bearing the university's original crest.
Raymond removed the envelopes first.
The handwriting on the top one was unmistakable.
Elaine.
He opened it.
Raymond,
If you are reading this, I am sorry I couldn't tell you everything myself.
I discovered that Denise had been moving money from the educational trust into companies connected to her business partners.
When I confronted her, she told me that I was misunderstanding the transactions.
But I wasn't.
I found evidence of repeated withdrawals.
I also discovered that she had obtained copies of documents bearing your father's signature.
Raymond stopped.
Jada moved closer.
“Keep reading, Dad.””
He continued.
I don't know whether she forged them or whether someone gave them to her. But I know your father never transferred the trust.
He made you its successor because he trusted your judgment.
And I trusted you because you never needed anyone to believe you were important.
Raymond's eyes filled.
He wiped them quickly.
The final paragraph was underlined.
If Denise tries to remove you, look inside the blue notebook. The truth is there. But be careful. Someone on the university board has been helping her.
Raymond looked at the notebook.
He opened it.
The pages contained dates, account numbers, meeting notes, and names.
Several entries referred to transfers made over twelve years.
Then he reached the final page.
Three names were written in red ink.
Denise Whitmore.
Daniel Whitmore.
And Marcus Ellison.
Jada went still.
“Dad…”
Raymond stared at the third name.
“Marcus?””
Victor looked alarmed.
“I don't understand.””
Before anyone could speak, a voice came from the doorway.
“Because he was involved.””
They turned.
Denise stood there.
May you like
Daniel was beside her.
And behind them was President Marcus Ellison.
