Chapter 9 - THE BROTHER
Richard didn't look like a criminal.
That was the problem.
He looked like exactly what he was supposed to look like.
Expensive suit.
Silver watch.
Perfect hair.
Calm expression.
He had been at my wedding.
At Noah's baptism.
At birthdays.
He had held my son when Noah was three.
He had sent flowers when my father supposedly died.
He had even hugged me at my mother's funeral.
Now he was standing in a bank vault asking about a box that apparently contained enough evidence to destroy his family.
"Where is the banker?" I asked.
"He's fine."
"Where is he?"
"Upstairs."
"You locked us in."
Richard smiled.
"Temporarily."
Noah moved closer to me.
Richard looked at him.
"Hello, Noah."
Noah didn't answer.
"Your father always liked you."
I stared at Richard.
"Don't talk to my son."
Richard sighed.
"I didn't come here to hurt him."
"Then why are you here?"
"To recover property that belongs to my family."
I laughed.
"The trust belongs to Noah."
"That's what your father wanted you to believe."
I held up the letter.
"Then why did he put it in Noah's name?"
"Because he was afraid."
"Of you?"
Richard's expression changed.
Just slightly.
But I saw it.
"Your father was afraid of many things."
"Was my mother one of them?"
Richard went silent.
I stepped closer.
"Where is she?"
He looked at me.
"She's safe."
My heart stopped.
"You know where she is."
"Yes."
"Where?"
He shook his head.
"You aren't ready."
"I've spent six years believing my mother was dead."
"I know."
"You don't get to tell me what I'm ready for."
Richard sighed.
Then he said:
"Your mother discovered the account."
"What account?"
"The original one."
He looked toward the box.
"The one your father used to move money out of the company."
I frowned.
"My father stole money?"
"Not exactly."
"Then what?"
Richard hesitated.
"Your father discovered that money was being stolen from the firm."
"By whom?"
He looked at me.
"By me."
The room went silent.
I couldn't breathe.
Richard continued.
"Julian found out."
"That's why the trust exists?"
"Partly."
"Then why did Julian marry Victoria?"
Richard smiled sadly.
"Because Victoria was my daughter."
I stared.
The pieces slammed together.
The affair.
The marriage.
The money.
The trust.
Victoria wasn't simply Julian's lover.
She was Richard's daughter.
Richard had placed her inside Julian's life.
And Julian had eventually fallen in love with her.
Or believed he had.
"Did Victoria know?"
"Not everything."
"Did she know about the money?"
"She knew enough."
"Did you arrange the affair?"
Richard didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
My stomach turned.
"So Julian didn't simply cheat."
"No."
"He was being used."
"Yes."
"And I was being used."
"Yes."
"And Noah?"
Richard looked at my son.
"Unfortunately."
Noah stepped forward.
"You don't get to use me."
Richard stared at him.
For the first time, the calm expression disappeared.
"No."
Noah looked at the box.
"Grandpa said you would come."
Richard's face went pale.
"What else did he tell you?"
Noah smiled.
"That you would ask that."
I looked at my son.
He reached into the box.
Pulled out the flash drive.
And held it up.
Richard's eyes locked onto it.
Noah said:
"Grandpa said this is the real wedding gift."
Richard took one step forward.
I stepped between them.
"Don't."
Richard stopped.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
"What?"
He listened.
Then looked at me.
"Your father is at the house."
My blood ran cold.
"Which house?"
Richard smiled.
May you like
"The one where your mother has been hiding."
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