Chapter 4: The Call That Changed Everything
For several seconds, nobody in the conference room moved.
Marcus stood with his phone pressed against his ear, staring at the disconnected call as though the voice might return.
I had never seen my husband look frightened.
Angry, yes.
Exhausted, certainly.
But frightened?
Never.
"Marcus," I whispered.
"What did he mean?""
He slowly lowered the phone.
"My mother didn't die because of her illness.""
Daniel Reeves immediately closed his laptop.
"Mr. Bennett, we need to be careful. A statement like that could mean several things.""
Marcus turned toward him.
"Then find out what it means.""
"First, we need the medical records.""
"I want everything. Hospital records, insurance documents, financial transactions, correspondence with her doctors. Everything.""
Daniel nodded.
"I'll contact the probate attorney and the hospital's records department.""
Marcus looked at James.
"Nobody enters the yacht's private office without authorization. Secure every document Robert left behind.""
"Understood, sir.""
Then Marcus turned toward Victoria.
"How long have you known Thomas was involved?""
Victoria looked miserable.
"Since shortly after your mother died.""
"Eight years?""
She nodded.
"And you said nothing?""
"Charles threatened me.""
Marcus gave a bitter laugh.
"Everyone seems to have been threatened by my mother's brother.""
Victoria reached into her handbag.
"There's something else you should know.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Please tell me this is the last thing.""
"I wish it were.""
She removed a folded piece of paper.
It was a bank transfer confirmation.
Daniel took it carefully.
"Where did you get this?""
"From Charles's personal safe. I photographed it before he changed the combination.""
Daniel examined the document.
The transfer was dated December 19, 2018.
Three days before Eleanor's death.
The recipient was an account belonging to Thomas Miller.
The amount was $2.4 million.
I felt my knees weaken.
"Why would Charles transfer that much money to Thomas?""
Victoria looked at Marcus.
"Because Thomas promised him something.""
"What?""
"Control over the Bennett family trust.""
Marcus grabbed the edge of the table.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel studied the document.
"Was this payment ever disclosed?""
"Not that I know of.""
"Mrs. Whitmore, do you understand that this could be evidence of financial misconduct?""
Victoria nodded.
"I understand now.""
Marcus looked at her.
"Why are you giving this to us?""
She looked down at her hands.
"Because this morning, when I saw your son standing on that dock, I remembered something.""
"What?""
"My daughter.""
Victoria's voice broke.
"She's eleven. If someone spoke to her the way I spoke to Noah, I'd never forgive them.""
For the first time, I saw something other than vanity in her face.
Shame.
Marcus looked toward the window.
"That doesn't erase what happened.""
"I know.""
"And it doesn't mean I trust you.""
"I know that too.""
Daniel placed the bank document into a separate folder.
"We'll need your formal statement.""
Victoria nodded.
"Whatever you need.""
Before Marcus could respond, the conference room door opened.
Noah stood there.
His grandfather's sneakers were still on his feet.
"Dad?""
Marcus immediately turned.
"Hey, buddy. What's wrong?""
Noah looked at the adults.
"Mr. James said you were still working.""
"We are.""
"Can I ask something?""
Marcus crouched.
"Of course.""
Noah held up his phone.
A message had appeared on his screen from an unknown number.
*Nice shoes. Your grandfather would be ashamed.*
I felt my stomach twist.
Marcus took the phone.
"Did you recognize the number?""
Noah shook his head.
"It came in while I was with Captain Lewis.""
Marcus read it again.
Then he looked at James.
"Can you trace the sender?""
James shook his head.
"Not without assistance from the authorities.""
Marcus turned to Daniel.
"Photograph it. Preserve the message. Don't delete anything.""
Noah looked confused.
"Why would someone send me that?""
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Because some people are unhappy when they can't control others.""
"But I didn't do anything.""
"I know.""
Noah looked at me.
"Is it because of the woman?""
I brushed his hair away from his forehead.
"Maybe. But you don't need to worry about it.""
He nodded, although he clearly wasn't convinced.
Then he looked at the envelope on the table.
"Is that Grandpa's handwriting?""
Marcus glanced down.
"Yes.""
Noah approached.
He recognized the handwriting immediately.
"That's Grandpa's.""
He picked up the letter carefully.
"Can I read it?""
Marcus hesitated.
Then he handed it to him.
Noah read the first paragraph.
His lips moved silently over the words.
When he reached the final sentence, he looked up.
"Why doesn't Grandma want me to go to Blackwater Island?""
Nobody answered.
Noah looked at Marcus.
"Did I do something wrong?""
Marcus pulled him into a hug.
"No, buddy. You did nothing wrong.""
"Then why did she write my name?""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Because she loved you more than anything.""
Noah held the letter against his chest.
"I wish I could ask her.""
That sentence broke something inside me.
Marcus kissed the top of his head.
"So do I.""
An hour later, we left the yacht through the private entrance.
Two security officers escorted us to the marina office.
Marcus wanted Noah away from the dock until we understood who had sent the message.
But as we approached the parking area, James hurried toward us.
"Mr. Bennett.""
Marcus stopped.
"What is it?""
"There's a vehicle outside the main entrance.""
"Why is that important?""
James glanced toward Noah.
"Because the driver has been asking for him.""
Marcus's expression changed.
"What?""
"A black SUV. The driver says he's a family friend and has permission to collect Master Noah.""
I immediately moved closer to my son.
"Who gave him permission?""
"Nobody, ma'am.""
Marcus handed Noah to me.
"Take him inside.""
But Noah had already seen the vehicle.
A man stood beside it.
Tall.
Gray-haired.
Wearing a dark coat.
He looked familiar.
Then the man raised his hand.
"Marcus!""
My husband stopped.
The stranger smiled.
"It's been a long time.""
Marcus's voice became ice.
"Thomas.""
The man nodded.
"Your uncle.""
Noah looked between them.
"Is that Grandma's brother?""
Thomas smiled warmly.
"Hello, Noah. I've heard so much about you.""
Marcus stepped in front of his son.
"Don't come any closer.""
Thomas's smile disappeared.
"Still dramatic, I see.""
"What are you doing here?""
Thomas looked directly at Noah.
"I came to see my grandnephew.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"He's not going anywhere with you.""
Thomas shrugged.
"That's unfortunate.""
He reached into his coat and removed a photograph.
It showed Eleanor holding a baby.
Noah.
The picture had been taken at the hospital shortly after his birth.
Thomas held it out.
"Your mother never told you what happened that night, did she?""
Marcus didn't take the photograph.
"Get off my property.""
Thomas lowered his voice.
"Then perhaps you'll want to know why Eleanor made me promise to protect Noah.""
Marcus went still.
"What promise?""
Thomas looked at my son.
May you like
Then he said:
"To make sure he never discovers what his grandfather buried beneath Blackwater Island.""
