Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew Where the Money Went
Patricia spent the next two days trying to locate Harold Bennett.
His the next two days trying to locate Harold Bennett.
His retirement apartment was empty.
His phone had been disconnected.
The management office retirement apartment was empty.
His phone had been disconnected.
The management office claimed he had moved out suddenly.
But claimed he had moved out suddenly.
But there was no forwarding address.
Jordan there was no forwarding address.
Jordan was furious.
“He's running away.””
Michael shook his head.
“Or someone helped him disappear was furious.
“He's running away.””
Michael shook his head.
“Or someone helped him disappear.””
Thomas sat quietly near the window.
“I know where he might.””
Thomas sat quietly near the window.
“I know where he might have gone.””
Everyone turned toward him.
“Where?”” Patricia have gone.””
Everyone turned toward him.
“Where?”” Patricia asked.
Thomas hesitated.
“An old medical facility near Philadelphia. Richard owned a private clinic there.””
Patricia immediately asked.
Thomas hesitated.
“An old medical facility near Philadelphia. Richard owned a private clinic there.””
Patricia immediately contacted the authorities.
By late afternoon, she had arranged for contacted the authorities.
By late afternoon, she had arranged for a meeting with the local police.
I remained at Michael's house, trying to process the a meeting with the local police.
I remained at Michael's house, trying to process the latest revelation.
My mother had spent years fighting a latest revelation.
My mother had spent years fighting a man who had more money, more influence, and more connections than she could ever hope to have.
Yet man who had more money, more influence, and more connections than she could ever hope to have.
Yet she had won the one thing he wanted most.
She had kept me.
That evening, I found she had won the one thing he wanted most.
She had kept me.
That evening, I found Jordan sitting alone in the backyard.
He was holding the old photograph of the two Jordan sitting alone in the backyard.
He was holding the old photograph of the two newborn babies.
I sat beside him.
“You okay?””
He laughed newborn babies.
I sat beside him.
“You okay?””
He laughed without humor.
“Do I look okay?””
“No.””
He rubbed his face.
“I keep without humor.
“Do I look okay?””
“No.””
He rubbed his face.
“I keep thinking about my childhood. Birthdays. Christmas thinking about my childhood. Birthdays.
Christmas. School plays. All those moments when my mother stood in the front row and smiled.””
I waited.
“What. School plays. All those moments when my mother stood in the front row and smiled.””
I waited.
“What if none of it was real?””
I turned toward him.
“It was real to you.””
“But she knew if none of it was real?””
I turned toward him.
“It was real to you.””
“But she knew.””
“She was still the person who raised you.””
He looked at me.
“Can.””
“She was still the person who raised you.””
He looked at me.
“Can you forgive her?””
I thought about Denise.
The woman who had screamed at me.
The woman who had hidden my existence you forgive her?””
I thought about Denise.
The woman who had screamed at me.
The woman who had hidden my existence.
The woman who had allowed my mother to struggle.
“I don't know.””
Jordan nodded.
“.
The woman who had allowed my mother to struggle.
“I don't know.””
Jordan nodded.
“Neither do I.””
He looked down at the photograph.
“But I want to know why she did it.””
Before I could answer,Neither do I.””
He looked down at the photograph.
“But I want to know why she did it.””
Before I could answer, Michael appeared at the back door.
“Jordan. Michael appeared at the back door.
“Jordan. Aaliyah. Patricia needs us.””
We followed him into the living room.
Patricia was standing beside the fireplace Aaliyah. Patricia needs us.””
We followed him into the living room.
Patricia was standing beside the fireplace with a woman I had never seen before.
She was in her late fifties, with short with a woman I had never seen before.
She was in her late fifties, with short gray hair and gentle eyes.
When she saw me, she began crying.
“Aaliyah?””
I stopped gray hair and gentle eyes.
When she saw me, she began crying.
“Aaliyah?””
I stopped.
“I'm sorry. Who are you?””
The woman stepped forward.
“My name is Laura Carter.””
My.
“I'm sorry. Who are you?””
The woman stepped forward.
“My name is Laura Carter.””
My biological aunt.
The woman who had supposedly been promised a baby thirty years ago.
She reached into biological aunt.
The woman who had supposedly been promised a baby thirty years ago.
She reached into her handbag and removed a small velvet box.
“I've her handbag and removed a small velvet box.
“I've waited a long time to meet you.””
I stared waited a long time to meet you.””
I stared at the box.
Inside was another silver pendant.
It was identical to mine.
My breath caught.
“ at the box.
Inside was another silver pendant.
It was identical to mine.
My breath caught.
“Where did you get that?””
“Your mother gave it to me.””
I looked at her.
“When?””
“SixWhere did you get that?””
“Your mother gave it to me.””
I looked at her.
“When?””
“Sixteen years ago. She came to my house after discovering that I had never received the child I was promisedteen years ago. She came to my house after discovering that I had never received the child I was promised.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What did.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What did she tell you?””
Laura sat down.
“She she tell you?””
Laura sat down.
“She told me everything. She explained that Richard had arranged told me everything. She explained that Richard had arranged the adoption and that she had taken you to the adoption and that she had taken you to protect you.””
“Why protect you.””
“Why didn't you tell anyone?””
“I tried. I contacted didn't you tell anyone?””
“I tried. I contacted the authorities, but Richard's people had the authorities, but Richard's people had already made sure the records showed you had died.””
She already made sure the records showed you had died.””
She opened the pendant.
Inside was a photograph of my mother holding a newborn baby.
I touched the edge.
“That's me opened the pendant.
Inside was a photograph of my mother holding a newborn baby.
I touched the edge.
“That's me?””
Laura nodded.
“She told me you were six months old.””
I swallowed.
“Why did?””
Laura nodded.
“She told me you were six months old.””
I swallowed.
“Why did she give you the pendant?””
Laura looked down.
“Because she wanted someone else to remember the truth if anything she give you the pendant?””
Laura looked down.
“Because she wanted someone else to remember the truth if anything happened to her.””
She reached into the box and removed a folded piece of paper.
“There's happened to her.””
She reached into the box and removed a folded piece of paper.
“There's a message inside.””
I opened it.
My mother's handwriting.
*Laura, if you ever a message inside.””
I opened it.
My mother's handwriting.
*Laura, if you ever meet my daughter, tell her that she was never unwanted. Not by me. Not for one meet my daughter, tell her that she was never unwanted. Not by me.
Not for one second. I made mistakes, and I kept second. I made mistakes, and I kept secrets, but every decision I made was because I wanted her secrets, but every decision I made was because I wanted her to have a life that belonged to her.*
My eyes filled.
Laura to have a life that belonged to her.*
My eyes filled.
Laura took my hand.
“Your mother loved you more than anything.””
I began crying.
For the first time since took my hand.
“Your mother loved you more than anything.””
I began crying.
For the first time since the dinner at the Carter house, I allowed myself to the dinner at the Carter house, I allowed myself to grieve.
Not just for Renee.
But grieve.
Not just for Renee.
But for the childhood she had spent protecting for the childhood she had spent protecting me.
For the family I had never me.
For the family I had never known.
For the truth she had carried known.
For the truth she had carried alone.
Laura waited until I had calmed down.
Then she spoke again alone.
Laura waited until I had calmed down.
Then she spoke again.
“There's something else.””
I looked up.
“.
“There's something else.””
I looked up.
“Your mother left me a key.””
She removed a small brassYour mother left me a key.””
She removed a small brass key from her purse.
“It's for a safe deposit box.””
Patricia frowned.
“Where?””
“First National Bank in key from her purse.
“It's for a safe deposit box.””
Patricia frowned.
“Where?””
“First National Bank in Baltimore.””
Michael stood.
“Richard's old bank?””
Laura nodded.
“He told me the box contained documents belonging Baltimore.””
Michael stood.
“Richard's old bank?””
Laura nodded.
“He told me the box contained documents belonging to the family. But Renee said I to the family. But Renee said I should never open it unless you were ready to learn should never open it unless you were ready to learn the truth.””
Jordan looked at me.
“Let's go.””
The the truth.””
Jordan looked at me.
“Let's go.””
The following morning, Patricia accompanied us to the bank.
The box had been inactive for sixteen years, but Laura was following morning, Patricia accompanied us to the bank.
The box had been inactive for sixteen years, but Laura was still listed as the authorized custodian.
The manager brought still listed as the authorized custodian.
The manager brought it into a private room.
Laura inserted it into a private room.
Laura inserted the key.
Inside were several envelopes, a small the key.
Inside were several envelopes, a small cassette recorder, and a thick black notebook.
I cassette recorder, and a thick black notebook.
I recognized the handwriting on the first envelope.
Renee.
My mother.
I opened it.
*To recognized the handwriting on the first envelope.
Renee.
My mother.
I opened it.
To my daughter, if you ever find this.
I stopped my daughter, if you ever find this.*
I stopped breathing.
I sat down and read.
*Sweet breathing.
I sat down and read.
*Sweetheart, if you're reading this, it means I wasn't able to tellheart, if you're reading this, it means I wasn't able to tell you the truth myself. I hope you know that none of this was your you the truth myself. I hope you know that none of this was your fault.
You were born into a family that believed fault. You were born into a family that believed money could buy people, silence could erase pain, and power could replace love.*
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
money could buy people, silence could erase pain, and power could replace love.*
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
Your biological father was Richard Williams. He was not a good man. He believed children were possessions andYour biological father was Richard Williams. He was not a good man.
He believed children were possessions and that family was something to be controlled. I tried that family was something to be controlled. I tried to give him a chance to know you, but he made it clear that he would never accept you unless you to give him a chance to know you, but he made it clear that he would never accept you unless you became part of his business plans.*
I turned the page.
I also need you to know that Denise became part of his business plans.
I turned the page.
*I also need you to know that Denise was not the only person he dece was not the only person he deceived. Thomas Carter was threatened. Michael was manipulated. And the hospital staff were paidived.
Thomas Carter was threatened. Michael was manipulated. And the hospital staff were paid to alter records.*
My fingers trembled.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
But there is one to alter records.
My fingers trembled.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
But there is one person who knows what really happened to the money Richard promised for your medical treatment. It wasn't person who knows what really happened to the money Richard promised for your medical treatment. It wasn't Harold Bennett. It was someone much closer to you than you realize.
I looked Harold Bennett. It was someone much closer to you than you realize.*
I looked up.
“Who?””
Laura opened the black notebook.
The pages contained bank transfers up.
“Who?””
Laura opened the black notebook.
The pages contained bank transfers, dates, account numbers, and signatures.
Patricia examined them carefully.
Then, dates, account numbers, and signatures.
Patricia examined them carefully.
Then she stopped.
“Michael.””
He leaned forward.
“What?””
She pointed to a signature.
“Do she stopped.
“Michael.””
He leaned forward.
“What?””
She pointed to a signature.
“Do you recognize this?””
Michael looked down.
His face went white you recognize this?””
Michael looked down.
His face went white.
It was his own signature.
“I never.
It was his own signature.
“I never signed these.””
Patricia shook her head.
“Someone signed these.””
Patricia shook her head.
“Someone used your identity to authorize the transfers.””
Jordan used your identity to authorize the transfers.””
Jordan frowned.
“Who had access to his accounts?””
Michael looked toward the door.
“Denise.””
Pat frowned.
“Who had access to his accounts?””
Michael looked toward the door.
“Denise.””
Patricia turned another page.
There was a list of payments made from the family trust.
The final paymentricia turned another page.
There was a list of payments made from the family trust.
The final payment had been transferred to a private account just four had been transferred to a private account just four months before Renee died.
The beneficiary's name was clearly printed.
**Aaliyah Renee Carter months before Renee died.
The beneficiary's name was clearly printed.
*Aaliyah Renee Carter.*
I stared at it.
“That's my name.””
Pat.**
I stared at it.
“That's my name.””
Patricia nodded.
“Someone opened an account in yourricia nodded.
“Someone opened an account in your name when you were a child.””
Michael looked confused.
“But Aaliyah never received any money.””
Patricia examined the account name when you were a child.””
Michael looked confused.
“But Aaliyah never received any money.””
Patricia examined the account history.
“No. The funds were withdrawn.””
“ history.
“No. The funds were withdrawn.””
“By whom?””
She turned the page.
A signature appeared beneath theBy whom?””
She turned the page.
A signature appeared beneath the withdrawal authorization.
*Jordan Carter.*
Jordan stepped withdrawal authorization.
*Jordan Carter.*
Jordan stepped backward.
“What?””
He shook his head.
“I backward.
“What?””
He shook his head.
“I was a child. I never had an account.””
was a child. I never had an account.””
Patricia looked at the date.
“The withdrawal was made twelve years ago.””
Jordan's face changedPatricia looked at the date.
“The withdrawal was made twelve years ago.””
Jordan's face changed.
Twelve years ago.
The same year his father had supposedly died.
The same year Richard.
Twelve years ago.
The same year his father had supposedly died.
The same year Richard Williams Williams had passed away.
Then Jordan remembered something.
“My mother told me Grandpa left me a trust.””
Denise, who had been sitting quietly near the window, suddenly had passed away.
Then Jordan remembered something.
“My mother told me Grandpa left me a trust.””
Denise, who had been sitting quietly near the window, suddenly stood.
“Jordan, don't.””
He turned toward her.
“You told me the money came from Grandpa stood.
“Jordan, don't.””
He turned toward her.
“You told me the money came from Grandpa's estate.””
She began crying.
“It's estate.””
She began crying.
“It did.””
“Then why was A did.””
“Then why was Aaliyah's name on the account?””
Denise coveredaliyah's name on the account?””
Denise covered her face.
Michael approached her her face.
Michael approached her.
“Tell us.””
She shook her head.
“I was trying to fix everything.
“Tell us.””
She shook her head.
“I was trying to fix everything.””
“By stealing money from a.””
“By stealing money from a child?””
“I was trying to give it back!””
Patricia looked up.
“Give what back?””
Denise's child?””
“I was trying to give it back!””
Patricia looked up.
“Give what back?””
Denise's voice broke.
“The money Richard took from Renee voice broke.
“The money Richard took from Renee. I was going to return it to Aaliyah.””
I stared at her.
“Then why did you withdraw it?””
She. I was going to return it to Aaliyah.””
I stared at her.
“Then why did you withdraw it?””
She looked at me.
“Because someone threatened me.””
“Who?””
Denise slowly reached into her handbag.
looked at me.
“Because someone threatened me.””
“Who?””
Denise slowly reached into her handbag.
She removed a photograph.
It showed Richard Williams standing besideShe removed a photograph.
It showed Richard Williams standing beside a man in a dark suit.
The man was holding a newspaper dated twelve a man in a dark suit.
The man was holding a newspaper dated twelve years earlier.
On the back, Denise had written:
*The person who ordered years earlier.
On the back, Denise had written:
The person who ordered Renee's death.
My heart stopped.
“Renee's death?””
Denise nodded.
Then she whispered the name.
“Harold Bennett didn't disappear because he was afraid of the police.””
May you like
She looked at Thomas.
“He disappeared because he was the last person who knew who killed Renee.””
