Chapter 4
Evelyn begged us not to contact Richard Vale.
Marcus refused.
But I convinced him we needed to speak with Rebecca first.
For once, he listened.
The following morning, we met at Rebecca's office.
Marcus carried the Riverbend folder.
Maya brought the printed email.
I carried Daniel's photograph and a copy of the pendant's engraved symbol.
Rebecca examined everything carefully.
Then she asked a question.
"Was Daniel ever formally charged with stealing the money?"
Marcus frowned.
"No."
"Was there a police report?"
He hesitated.
"Dad said there was."
Rebecca looked at him.
"Have you seen it?"
He shook his head.
She made a note.
"Then that's one of the first things we need to verify."
I sat forward.
"Could someone have forged Daniel's signature?"
Rebecca looked at the transfer approval.
"It's possible. We would need proper examination and supporting records."
Maya clasped her hands.
"What about the email?"
Rebecca studied it.
"The wording suggests concern about Daniel's questions. It doesn't prove what happened afterward."
Marcus exhaled sharply.
"So we still don't know anything."
Rebecca looked at him.
"We know there are inconsistencies worth investigating."
I squeezed his hand.
He didn't pull away.
Rebecca continued.
"We should establish the financial timeline, identify the relevant parties, and determine whether the disappearance was ever properly investigated."
Marcus nodded.
Then she asked about Evelyn.
I looked down.
"She seems terrified."
Rebecca's expression softened.
"That may mean she knows something important. But pressure could make her withdraw further."
I nodded.
For years, Evelyn had carried the truth alone.
I wanted to understand why.
Even if I couldn't excuse it.
After the meeting, Marcus drove us to his mother's house.
She was sitting in the living room.
Her birthday decorations had been removed.
The gold headwrap lay folded beside her.
Without it, she looked smaller.
When we entered, she didn't seem surprised.
"I knew you'd come."
Marcus sat across from her.
"Mom, we need the truth."
Evelyn stared at her hands.
He continued.
"Was Dad involved in Daniel's disappearance?"
She closed her eyes.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "Your father was a good man before Riverbend."
Marcus's face tightened.
"That's not an answer."
Evelyn looked up.
"Money changed him."
I leaned forward.
"What happened?"
She took a shaky breath.
"Thomas and Richard wanted to build affordable apartments."
I nodded.
"Daniel was excited."
Her eyes filled.
"He believed the project would help families."
I remembered his notebooks.
His sketches of small homes.
The way he spoke about people deserving dignity.
Evelyn continued.
"But the financing changed."
Marcus frowned.
"How?"
"Richard brought in private investors."
She swallowed.
"Then he began moving money between companies."
I felt cold.
"Without authorization?"
Evelyn nodded.
"Some transfers were hidden."
Marcus stared at her.
"And Dad knew?"
She began crying.
"At first, he said everything was temporary."
Marcus looked away.
Evelyn continued.
"Then Daniel discovered invoices for work that had never been done."
My heart pounded.
"He confronted them?"
She nodded.
"He threatened to report it."
Marcus leaned forward.
"What happened?"
Evelyn covered her mouth.
"The argument."
I remembered the split lip.
The torn shirt.
"Daniel was hurt," I whispered.
She looked at me.
Then nodded.
"Richard hit him."
Marcus stood so quickly his chair scraped the floor.
"WHAT?"
Evelyn flinched.
He gripped the back of the chair.
"Dad let Richard hit Daniel?"
She began sobbing.
"Thomas tried to stop it."
I looked at Marcus.
His face was twisted with disbelief.
Evelyn continued.
"Daniel said he was going to the police."
Marcus whispered, "Then what?"
"Richard threatened him."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"With what?"
Evelyn looked toward Maya.
Then at Marcus.
"He said if Daniel spoke, someone in the family would suffer."
The room became silent.
Marcus stared at her.
"Who?"
Evelyn covered her face.
"Me."
I swallowed.
Richard had threatened Marcus's mother.
Daniel had been trying to protect her.
But there was still something missing.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked.
Evelyn looked at me.
"Because the next morning Richard came to the house."
Her voice shook.
"He told us Daniel had left."
Marcus stared.
"What did Dad do?"
"He believed him."
I looked down.
"Or wanted to."
Evelyn nodded sadly.
"Maybe."
Marcus paced the room.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then he stopped.
"Did Dad know Daniel was alive?"
Evelyn looked up.
"I don't know."
He stared at her.
"Mom."
She swallowed.
"After the first year, Thomas received a letter."
My heart stopped.
"What letter?"
Evelyn stood slowly.
Then walked toward a cabinet.
She opened the bottom drawer.
Inside was a small wooden box.
She brought it to the table.
Her hands trembled as she lifted the lid.
Inside were old photographs.
A wedding ring.
And several letters.
She selected one.
Then handed it to Marcus.
He unfolded it.
I watched his face change.
"Daniel?"
Evelyn nodded.
The letter was dated eleven months after his disappearance.
Marcus began reading aloud.
Mom,
I'm alive.
Please don't try to find me.
I need more time.
I know Richard is still dangerous.
Tell Maya I love her.
Tell Marcus I'm sorry.
One day, when it's safe, I'll explain everything.
Daniel.
Marcus stopped reading.
His voice broke.
"He was alive."
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes."
He stared at her.
"And you let us believe he was dead?"
She started crying.
"I was afraid."
Marcus looked devastated.
"For ten years?"
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Then whispered, "There was another letter."
I felt my heart pounding.
"What?"
She looked toward the box.
"One that arrived after your father died."
Marcus stared.
"Where is it?"
Evelyn slowly removed a second envelope.
It was unopened.
May you like
The address was written in Daniel's familiar handwriting.
And the postmark was only six months old.
