Chapter 3
The knocking became louder.
"Mrs. Carter, I know you're there," Richard Bennett called.
I looked at Grandma.
She was standing beside Grandpa's desk, gripping its edge.
I had never seen her frightened like that.
"How did he know we were here?" I whispered.
"I don't know."
Vanessa's voice came through the front door.
"Daniel, stop hiding!"
Marcus added, "We just want to talk."
I pulled out my phone.
"Should I call the police?"
Grandma shook her head.
"Not yet. Call Mr. Hayes."
"Who is he?"
"Our attorney."
She gave me a number.
I dialed it.
An older man answered after two rings.
"Thomas Hayes."
"This is Daniel Carter. I'm at the bakery with my grandmother. Richard Bennett is outside."
There was a brief silence.
"Do not let him into the office."
My stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"Because there are documents in that room he would pay millions to destroy."
I looked at Grandma.
Thomas continued.
"I'm ten minutes away. Keep the office locked."
The call ended.
Another knock shook the front door.
Then Richard spoke again.
"Eleanor, we're all adults. There's no reason to make this unpleasant."
Grandma straightened.
"Stay here," she told me.
"Absolutely not."
She looked surprised.
"I'm not leaving you alone with him."
Something softened in her expression.
"Just like your grandfather."
We walked together to the front entrance.
Through the glass, I saw Vanessa in a cream designer coat.
Marcus stood beside her wearing an expensive watch and a furious expression.
Richard Bennett stood between them.
He was tall, silver-haired, and dressed in a perfectly fitted charcoal suit.
His smile disappeared when he saw me.
"Daniel Carter."
I didn't ask how he knew my name.
"Mr. Bennett."
"Your sister tells me there's been a misunderstanding about some Christmas gifts."
I turned toward Vanessa.
"You called him?"
She crossed her arms.
"He knows Grandma's finances. He's been helping our family for years."
Grandma made a quiet sound.
Not quite a laugh.
"Helping?" she repeated.
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Eleanor, I think this conversation would be more productive indoors."
"No," Grandma said.
One word.
Firm.
He looked past us into the bakery.
His eyes moved toward the hallway leading to the office.
I noticed.
So did Grandma.
"Richard," she said, "you are not welcome here."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Grandma, this is insane. Mr. Bennett says you might be making decisions that put your assets at risk."
I looked at my brother.
"How much did you tell him?"
"Enough."
"Did you tell him about the checks?"
Vanessa shrugged.
"Obviously."
Richard smiled again.
"I simply advised them to protect their interests."
Grandma looked directly at him.
"Their interests or yours?"
His smile vanished.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he leaned closer.
"Eleanor, you know how dangerous old misunderstandings can become."
I felt her stiffen beside me.
"What does that mean?" I demanded.
Richard looked at me.
"Your grandmother has always been emotional about business."
Something inside me snapped.
"Don't talk about her like that."
His eyebrows rose.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Vanessa groaned.
"Daniel, stop embarrassing us."
I ignored her.
"Grandma said you aren't coming inside. That should be enough."
Richard studied me.
Then he adjusted his cuffs.
"You're very protective."
"Someone should be."
His expression changed.
For the first time, he looked angry.
Before he could answer, a dark sedan pulled up beside the curb.
Thomas Hayes stepped out.
He was a broad-shouldered man in his late sixties with a leather briefcase.
He walked straight toward Richard.
"Mr. Bennett."
Richard's face went pale.
"Thomas."
"I believe Mrs. Carter asked you to leave."
Richard forced a smile.
"I'm merely checking on an old friend."
"Then you have checked."
Thomas removed his phone.
"Would you prefer to leave voluntarily, or shall I contact the authorities regarding your ongoing interference?"
Richard stared at him.
Then he looked toward Grandma.
"This isn't finished, Eleanor."
"No," she replied. "It isn't."
He walked away.
Vanessa watched him climb into his black Mercedes.
Then she turned on us.
"Do you realize who you just insulted?"
Thomas answered before Grandma could.
"A man with a great deal to hide."
Marcus frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Thomas looked at Grandma.
"Have they been told?"
"Not everything."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Then tell us."
Grandma studied my siblings.
I expected anger.
Instead, I saw disappointment.
"You both had the opportunity to learn this morning. But you chose to involve someone you barely know because you believed he could get you money."
Vanessa flushed.
"That isn't fair."
"Life isn't always fair," Grandma replied.
Thomas unlocked the entrance and escorted us inside.
In the old bakery kitchen, Grandma sat while Thomas explained what Richard had tried to do decades earlier.
He had allegedly used forged invoices, false debts, and shell companies to gain control of Carter Family Holdings.
Grandpa had fought him.
My father had discovered irregular transfers.
Then my father's car had been found beside the river.
The investigation stalled.
Richard became rich.
Our family spent years living under threats and legal pressure.
"But we kept the company," Thomas said.
Marcus looked stunned.
"What company?"
Thomas glanced at me.
"Carter Family Holdings."
Vanessa frowned.
"That old bakery?"
"Among other assets."
"How many?"
Thomas looked at Grandma.
She nodded.
He explained the trust.
The commercial properties.
The investment accounts.
The distribution business.
When he mentioned eighteen million dollars, Vanessa gripped the edge of the table.
Marcus sat down.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Then Vanessa looked at me.
"And Daniel controls it?"
"Not exactly," Thomas said. "Mrs. Carter remains in control. Daniel has been nominated to succeed her as trustee, subject to the trust's terms and his acceptance."
Marcus's face reddened.
"This is unbelievable."
Vanessa stared at Grandma.
"You've been rich all this time?"
Grandma nodded.
"And you let us struggle?"
I nearly choked.
Vanessa owned a luxury townhouse.
Marcus drove a sports car.
Neither had ever paid Grandma's medical bills.
Grandma looked at her.
"Vanessa, you haven't struggled financially in years."
"That's not the point!"
"Then what is?"
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Thomas placed a sealed folder on the table.
"Mrs. Carter, we also need to discuss the evidence received yesterday."
Grandma leaned forward.
"What evidence?"
He looked at me.
"A package was delivered to my office."
"From whom?"
Thomas hesitated.
Then he opened the folder.
Inside was a photograph of my father.
Older than I remembered.
Standing beside a small fishing boat.
The date printed on the back was June 14, 2018.
Twenty years after he disappeared.
My legs weakened.
"Grandma," I whispered, "that's Dad."
She stared at the picture.
Her hands began trembling.
Thomas looked at me.
"Daniel, there's a possibility your father survived."
I could barely hear him.
May you like
Then he said something even more shocking.
"And someone has been paying to keep him hidden."
