Chapter 5
Marcus stared at the envelope.
Six months.
His brother had been alive six months earlier.
Maybe he was alive right now.
My husband reached toward the letter with trembling hands.
Then stopped.
He looked at Evelyn.
"Why didn't you open it?"
She lowered her eyes.
"I was afraid of what it might say."
Marcus shook his head.
"Mom, we spent ten years wondering whether Daniel was dead."
His voice cracked.
"And you were afraid to open a letter?"
Evelyn started crying.
I touched Marcus's arm.
He pulled away.
"No, Nia."
He looked at me.
"You knew he was alive once too."
My chest tightened.
"Marcus—"
"You both kept secrets."
I swallowed.
"Yes."
His eyes filled.
"Everyone decided I couldn't handle the truth."
I couldn't deny it.
Because whatever our reasons, we'd taken away his ability to make his own choices.
I looked down.
"I'm sorry."
He turned away.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Maya stepped forward.
"Marcus, please open it."
He stared at the envelope.
Then carefully broke the seal.
Inside was a single page.
And a photograph.
I recognized Daniel immediately.
Older.
His face thinner.
A short beard covering his jaw.
But those eyes were unmistakable.
Marcus made a broken sound.
"Oh God."
He sank into a chair.
I moved beside him.
This time, he didn't pull away.
He held the photograph against his chest.
"My brother."
Maya began crying.
Evelyn covered her face.
Marcus unfolded the letter.
He read silently.
Then handed it to me.
I looked down.
Mom,
I know you may never forgive me for staying away.
But I need you to understand that I didn't leave because I stopped loving you.
I left because I believed it was the only way to protect you.
Richard's people were still watching after Dad died.
I've spent years collecting what I can.
I think I'm finally close to proving what happened at Riverbend.
Please don't contact me directly.
If you're willing to help, take the enclosed information to someone independent who can review it safely.
I want to come home.
Daniel.
My eyes filled.
He wanted to come home.
After ten years.
After everything.
I looked at the photograph again.
Behind Daniel stood a small workshop.
A sign was partially visible.
MASON DESIGN STUDIO.
My heart pounded.
I knew that name.
Two years earlier, I'd seen a feature about an architectural designer named Daniel Mason.
He created affordable housing concepts in Charlotte.
The article praised his community work.
I remembered thinking his face looked familiar.
But the photograph was small.
And his surname was different.
At the time, I dismissed it.
Now I felt sick.
I looked at Marcus.
"I think I know where he is."
His head snapped toward me.
"What?"
I showed him the photograph.
"Mason Design Studio."
He stared.
"Do you recognize it?"
I nodded.
"I saw an article about the company."
His eyes widened.
"Where?"
"Charlotte."
Maya gasped.
"That's only a few hours away."
Marcus stood.
"We're going."
Rebecca's warning echoed in my mind.
Richard might still be dangerous.
Daniel had specifically asked not to be contacted directly.
I took Marcus's hand.
"Wait."
He stared at me.
"Nia, don't."
"I want to find him too."
"Then come."
I swallowed.
"But Daniel asked for the information to go through someone independent."
Marcus looked toward the letter.
Then closed his eyes.
For a moment, I thought he would ignore me.
Instead, he nodded slowly.
"Fine."
We contacted Rebecca.
She reviewed the letter and photograph.
Then advised us to preserve the original materials and follow Daniel's stated request.
She agreed to help identify an appropriate way to reach him without exposing his location unnecessarily.
Marcus looked disappointed.
But he understood.
That afternoon, Rebecca contacted a former federal investigator named David Collins.
He now worked in financial investigations.
David had experience reviewing complex business fraud cases.
He agreed to examine the Riverbend documents.
When we met him, he studied the transfers carefully.
Then asked about Richard Vale.
Marcus explained his father's partnership.
The failed development.
Daniel's disappearance.
David listened.
Then asked a question.
"Was Riverbend ever completed?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"Who owns the land now?"
Marcus frowned.
"Richard's company, I think."
David looked interested.
"Then we should examine the ownership history."
I leaned forward.
"Why?"
"Because if investor funds were diverted and assets changed hands, the records may show a pattern."
He continued reviewing.
Then found something that made him stop.
A company called Riverbend Holdings had received several large transfers shortly before Daniel disappeared.
Its registered manager was Richard Vale.
But one transaction involved another company.
Mason Property Consulting.
I stared at the name.
"Mason?"
David nodded.
"The name may be coincidental."
Marcus looked toward Daniel's photograph.
"Or Daniel found a way to trace it."
David continued searching.
Then he looked up.
"This company was dissolved nine years ago."
I frowned.
"What happened to its assets?"
He turned the screen.
"Some appear to have transferred into another entity."
My stomach tightened.
"What entity?"
David paused.
"Vale Development Group."
Marcus closed his eyes.
Richard again.
Every road seemed to lead back to him.
David looked at us.
"We need to be careful. These records raise questions, but they don't establish criminal conduct by themselves."
I nodded.
He continued.
"However, there may be enough to justify further investigation."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Can you find Daniel?"
David looked at the letter.
"We can attempt to establish safe contact through appropriate channels."
Marcus's voice broke.
"Please."
David nodded.
"I understand."
That evening, Marcus and I returned home.
Neither of us spoke during the drive.
When we entered the house, he stopped beside our wedding photograph.
Then looked at me.
"Nia."
I turned.
"Yes?"
His eyes were wet.
"Did you love Daniel?"
The question caught me off guard.
I stared at him.
"Of course I did."
His expression tightened.
"How?"
I took a breath.
"Like family."
He watched me.
I continued.
"He protected me when we were younger. He was my friend. Someone I trusted."
Marcus looked down.
"And the tattoo?"
I touched the portrait.
"I got it after I stopped hearing from him."
My voice cracked.
"I was afraid he was dead. I wanted something to remember him by."
Marcus closed his eyes.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he whispered, "I wish you'd told me."
I started crying.
"So do I."
He looked at me.
"Can I trust you now?"
The question hurt.
Because I didn't know whether trust could be repaired with one conversation.
I swallowed.
"I won't hide anything else."
He studied my face.
Then nodded.
"That's where we start."
The next morning, David called.
He sounded serious.
"Marcus, Nia, we may have found a safe way to contact Daniel."
My heart stopped.
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Where is he?"
David paused.
"The studio is real."
I closed my eyes.
"Is Daniel there?"
"Someone matching his description is associated with it."
Marcus began crying.
Then David continued.
"But there's something you need to know before attempting contact."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"The man using the name Daniel Mason recently filed a formal complaint involving Richard Vale."
I stared at Marcus.
May you like
David took a breath.
"And Richard's company has just received notice of the investigation."
