Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Night My Grandfather's Secret Came Back
For: The Night My Grandfather's Secret Came Back
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Richard Whitmore several seconds, nobody moved.
Richard Whitmore was the only living person besides my father who could was the only living person besides my father who could explain the original agreement between my grandfather and Victor Hale.
And now someone had broken into his house.
Inez immediately explain the original agreement between my grandfather and Victor Hale.
And now someone had broken into his house.
Inez immediately called the police and requested an update from the hospital.
Rachel gathered the original trust documents and placed them inside a locked case called the police and requested an update from the hospital.
Rachel gathered the original trust documents and placed them inside a locked case.
My father remained seated beside the desk, staring at the letter Victor had mentioned.
"Dad," I said quietly..
My father remained seated beside the desk, staring at the letter Victor had mentioned.
"Dad," I said quietly.
"You need to tell me what happened twenty-five years ago.""
He rubbed his face.
"I will.""
"When "You need to tell me what happened twenty-five years ago.""
He rubbed his face.
"I will.""
"When?""
He looked at me.
"Now.""
Mom pulled a chair beside him.
"Manuel, it's time.""
My?""
He looked at me.
"Now.""
Mom pulled a chair beside him.
"Manuel, it's time.""
My father nodded.
Then he began.
Twenty-five years earlier, my grandfather had owned a successful woodworking company called Nelson Heritage father nodded.
Then he began.
Twenty-five years earlier, my grandfather had owned a successful woodworking company called Nelson Heritage Works. It specialized in restoring historic buildings, creating custom furniture, and manufacturing architectural woodwork for hotels throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Victor Works. It specialized in restoring historic buildings, creating custom furniture, and manufacturing architectural woodwork for hotels throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Victor Hale had been his business partner.
Victor handled contracts and financing. My grandfather handled production and craftsmanship.
For years, they worked well together.
Until the Hale had been his business partner.
Victor handled contracts and financing. My grandfather handled production and craftsmanship.
For years, they worked well together.
Until the money disappeared.
Dad explained that several company accounts had been drained through unauthorized transfers. At money disappeared.
Dad explained that several company accounts had been drained through unauthorized transfers. At first, Grandpa suspected accounting errors.
Then he discovered that money had been moved into a first, Grandpa suspected accounting errors.
Then he discovered that money had been moved into a private investment company registered under Victor's name.
Grandpa confronted him.
Victor denied everything.
The argument became so heated private investment company registered under Victor's name.
Grandpa confronted him.
Victor denied everything.
The argument became so heated that my father, then thirty-one, had to separate them.
"Your grandfather wanted to report him that my father, then thirty-one, had to separate them.
"Your grandfather wanted to report him immediately," Dad said.
"But Victor threatened to destroy the company before the investigation was complete.""
"How?""
"He had access to the contracts, immediately," Dad said.
"But Victor threatened to destroy the company before the investigation was complete.""
"How?""
"He had access to the contracts, the supplier agreements, and several important financial records. He claimed he could make it look as the supplier agreements, and several important financial records. He claimed he could make it look as if your grandfather had approved every transfer.""
I frowned.
"Did he?""
"No. But Victor had been clever if your grandfather had approved every transfer.""
I frowned.
"Did he?""
"No. But Victor had been clever. He used blank authorization forms your grandfather had signed years earlier.""
Inez looked up from her notes.
"That sounds. He used blank authorization forms your grandfather had signed years earlier.""
Inez looked up from her notes.
"That sounds remarkably similar to what Derek did with your parents.""
Dad nodded.
"I know.""
He continued.
One night, Victor arrived at the family remarkably similar to what Derek did with your parents.""
Dad nodded.
"I know.""
He continued.
One night, Victor arrived at the family home carrying a folder.
He demanded that Grandpa sign a document acknowledging his ownership of a controlling interest in the company.
Grandpa refused.
The argument escalated.
Victor threatened home carrying a folder.
He demanded that Grandpa sign a document acknowledging his ownership of a controlling interest in the company.
Grandpa refused.
The argument escalated.
Victor threatened to take everything.
My father said he had found a second set of financial records in Victor's car. Those to take everything.
My father said he had found a second set of financial records in Victor's car. Those records showed that money had been diverted into several accounts over a period of years.
"Where are those records now?"" I asked.
records showed that money had been diverted into several accounts over a period of years.
"Where are those records now?"" I asked.
Dad looked toward the metal box.
"Your grandfather hid them.""
"Where?""
"In the same underground room.""
IDad looked toward the metal box.
"Your grandfather hid them.""
"Where?""
"In the same underground room.""
I stared at him.
"Then why didn't we find them?""
Dad pointed toward the back of the cabinet.
"Because there was stared at him.
"Then why didn't we find them?""
Dad pointed toward the back of the cabinet.
"Because there was another compartment.""
Rachel examined the cabinet.
She found a narrow wooden panel behind the lower shelf another compartment.""
Rachel examined the cabinet.
She found a narrow wooden panel behind the lower shelf.
It moved when she pressed one corner.
Behind it was a small metal drawer.
Inside were several folded accounting.
It moved when she pressed one corner.
Behind it was a small metal drawer.
Inside were several folded accounting ledgers and a photograph.
I picked up the photograph.
It showed my grandfather standing beside Victor Hale in front ledgers and a photograph.
I picked up the photograph.
It showed my grandfather standing beside Victor Hale in front of the old woodworking factory.
On the back, Grandpa had written:
The day I trusted the wrong man.
I turned of the old woodworking factory.
On the back, Grandpa had written:
The day I trusted the wrong man.
I turned the photograph over.
Dad pointed toward the younger man standing beside them.
"That's Victor.""
Then he pointed toward the photograph over.
Dad pointed toward the younger man standing beside them.
"That's Victor.""
Then he pointed toward a second figure barely visible near the factory entrance.
"That's me.""
I looked at the picture again.
"You were there?""
a second figure barely visible near the factory entrance.
"That's me.""
I looked at the picture again.
"You were there?""
"Yes.""
"What happened that night?""
Dad took a long breath.
"Victor came to the house. He wanted the records. Your grandfather refused"Yes.""
"What happened that night?""
Dad took a long breath.
"Victor came to the house. He wanted the records. Your grandfather refused to give them to him.
They argued in the workshop. Victor shoved him.""
Mom covered her mouth.
Dad continued.
"I stepped to give them to him. They argued in the workshop. Victor shoved him.""
Mom covered her mouth.
Dad continued.
"I stepped between them. Victor fell against the workbench and injured his head. He wasn't seriously hurt, but he was furious.""
"Did between them. Victor fell against the workbench and injured his head. He wasn't seriously hurt, but he was furious.""
"Did you call the police?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
Dad looked at me with exhausted eyes.
"Because Victor had threatened to accuse you call the police?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
Dad looked at me with exhausted eyes.
"Because Victor had threatened to accuse your grandfather of embezzlement. And because your grandfather believed he could resolve the dispute without destroying the company.""
He paused.
"Victor your grandfather of embezzlement. And because your grandfather believed he could resolve the dispute without destroying the company.""
He paused.
"Victor left that night. We never saw him again.""
I studied the photograph.
"Then how did he disappear?""
Dad left that night. We never saw him again.""
I studied the photograph.
"Then how did he disappear?""
Dad shook his head.
"We don't know. But three days later, he sent a letter demanding money in exchange for keeping shook his head.
"We don't know. But three days later, he sent a letter demanding money in exchange for keeping quiet about the financial records.""
Inez picked up one of the ledgers.
"Was that the last communication quiet about the financial records.""
Inez picked up one of the ledgers.
"Was that the last communication?""
"No. Your grandfather paid him.""
I stared at my father.
"What?""
"He paid $45,000 to make?""
"No. Your grandfather paid him.""
I stared at my father.
"What?""
"He paid $45,000 to make him leave the company alone. It was supposed to be the end of everything.""
Inez examined the ledger.
"Was the payment recorded?""
him leave the company alone. It was supposed to be the end of everything.""
Inez examined the ledger.
"Was the payment recorded?""
Dad nodded.
"Yes. Your grandfather insisted on keeping every record.""
Rachel turned another page.
"There's aDad nodded.
"Yes. Your grandfather insisted on keeping every record.""
Rachel turned another page.
"There's a second payment listed here.""
Then a third.
And a fourth.
Inez looked up.
"These payments continued for nearly second payment listed here.""
Then a third.
And a fourth.
Inez looked up.
"These payments continued for nearly two years.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How much?""
"Approximately $180,000.""
Dad looked devastated.
"Your grandfather two years.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How much?""
"Approximately $180,000.""
Dad looked devastated.
"Your grandfather never told me that.""
Inez examined the final entry.
The recipient wasn't Victor Hale.
It was a numbered holding never told me that.""
Inez examined the final entry.
The recipient wasn't Victor Hale.
It was a numbered holding company.
The same company appeared in the documents connected to Derek's recent transactions.
I stared at the page.
"That's how they company.
The same company appeared in the documents connected to Derek's recent transactions.
I stared at the page.
"That's how they found each other.""
Rachel nodded.
"Possibly. We need to establish whether the present-day company is controlled found each other.""
Rachel nodded.
"Possibly. We need to establish whether the present-day company is controlled by Victor.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
**You have something that by Victor.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*You have something that belongs to me. Don't make the same mistake your grandfather made.*
I showed it to Inez.
She immediately photographed the screen.
"Don't respond.""
Then another message arrived.
*Ask belongs to me. Don't make the same mistake your grandfather made.*
I showed it to Inez.
She immediately photographed the screen.
"Don't respond.""
Then another message arrived.
*Ask your father what happened to the original partnership agreement.*
I looked at Dad.
He closed his eyes.
"Your grandfather destroyed it.""
"Why?""
"Because he discovered something in it that could have your father what happened to the original partnership agreement.**
I looked at Dad.
He closed his eyes.
"Your grandfather destroyed it.""
"Why?""
"Because he discovered something in it that could have cost the family everything.""
Inez stopped turning pages.
"What?""
Dad shook his head.
"I don't know exactly cost the family everything.""
Inez stopped turning pages.
"What?""
Dad shook his head.
"I don't know exactly. He told me the agreement contained a clause that Victor had hidden from him.""
"What. He told me the agreement contained a clause that Victor had hidden from him.""
"What clause?""
"Something about the commercial land.""
Before anyone could clause?""
"Something about the commercial land.""
Before anyone could answer, Inez received a call from the hospital.
Richard Whitmore was awake.
He had suffered a head injury during the break-in but was expected to recover.
More importantly, he had asked to speak with us answer, Inez received a call from the hospital.
Richard Whitmore was awake.
He had suffered a head injury during the break-in but was expected to recover.
More importantly, he had asked to speak with us.
We drove to the hospital that afternoon.
A police officer stood outside his room.
Richard looked frail, but.
We drove to the hospital that afternoon.
A police officer stood outside his room.
Richard looked frail, but his eyes were alert.
He was in his late seventies, with silver hair and a thin face.
When his eyes were alert.
He was in his late seventies, with silver hair and a thin face.
When he saw Dad, he reached for his hand.
"Manuel.""
Dad pulled a chair closer.
"Richard. I'm sorry.""
Whitmore he saw Dad, he reached for his hand.
"Manuel.""
Dad pulled a chair closer.
"Richard. I'm sorry.""
Whitmore shook his head.
"Don't apologize. Your father knew this day would come.""
I stepped shook his head.
"Don't apologize. Your father knew this day would come.""
I stepped forward.
"I'm Alvin.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he smiled faintly.
"You look like your grandfather.""
I placed the photograph on his forward.
"I'm Alvin.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he smiled faintly.
"You look like your grandfather.""
I placed the photograph on his bedside table.
"We found the trust documents.""
His expression changed.
"Then Victor has already spoken to you bedside table.
"We found the trust documents.""
His expression changed.
"Then Victor has already spoken to you.""
I nodded.
"He claims my father helped hide something.""
Whitmore looked toward the police officer.
"Can.""
I nodded.
"He claims my father helped hide something.""
Whitmore looked toward the police officer.
"Can we speak privately?""
The officer agreed to remain outside the door.
Richard waited until it closed.
Then he spoke.
"Your grandfather didn't just we speak privately?""
The officer agreed to remain outside the door.
Richard waited until it closed.
Then he spoke.
"Your grandfather didn't just create a property trust, Alvin. He created it because he discovered that Victor had a create a property trust, Alvin. He created it because he discovered that Victor had a hidden ownership claim against the commercial land.""
Inez leaned forward.
"Was that claim valid?""
"Not entirely hidden ownership claim against the commercial land.""
Inez leaned forward.
"Was that claim valid?""
"Not entirely. Victor had contributed money to the company, but the amount was disputed. Your grandfather.
Victor had contributed money to the company, but the amount was disputed. Your grandfather believed the money had already been repaid through profits.""
Whitmore reached for a glass of water.
"However, the original partnership agreement contained a provision believed the money had already been repaid through profits.""
Whitmore reached for a glass of water.
"However, the original partnership agreement contained a provision allowing Victor to claim a percentage of certain assets if the company dissolved.""
I looked at him.
"Which assets?""
"The allowing Victor to claim a percentage of certain assets if the company dissolved.""
I looked at him.
"Which assets?""
"The commercial parcel near the river.""
My stomach tightened.
"So Derek is trying to sell land that Victor may have a claim against?""
"Yes. And commercial parcel near the river.""
My stomach tightened.
"So Derek is trying to sell land that Victor may have a claim against?""
"Yes. And that's why the sale is dangerous.""
Whitmore explained that Victor had never formally released his claim.
Instead, he had disappeared that's why the sale is dangerous.""
Whitmore explained that Victor had never formally released his claim.
Instead, he had disappeared, leaving the ownership dispute unresolved.
Grandpa created the preservation trust to prevent the land from being sold while the claim remained unsettled.
Then Whitmore said something that made my, leaving the ownership dispute unresolved.
Grandpa created the preservation trust to prevent the land from being sold while the claim remained unsettled.
Then Whitmore said something that made my father sit forward.
"Your grandfather also established a reserve account.""
"What account?"" I asked.
"A separate account containing the proceeds from the original father sit forward.
"Your grandfather also established a reserve account.""
"What account?"" I asked.
"A separate account containing the proceeds from the original business sale. It was intended to cover any future legal claim.""
Inez frowned.
"How much?""
Whitmore looked business sale. It was intended to cover any future legal claim.""
Inez frowned.
"How much?""
Whitmore looked directly at me.
"According to the last statement I saw, approximately $2.4 million.""
Silence.
Two-point-four million dollars.
directly at me.
"According to the last statement I saw, approximately $2.4 million.""
Silence.
Two-point-four million dollars.
I thought about the $310,000 loan, the attempted $180,000 advance, and the money Derek had taken from my parents.
Suddenly, theI thought about the $310,000 loan, the attempted $180,000 advance, and the money Derek had taken from my parents.
Suddenly, the reason for his desperation became painfully clear.
But Whitmore wasn't finished.
"Your grandfather didn't want that money reason for his desperation became painfully clear.
But Whitmore wasn't finished.
"Your grandfather didn't want that money distributed until the original partnership dispute was resolved. The reserve account was linked to the trust.""
Inez leaned forward.
"Do you know distributed until the original partnership dispute was resolved. The reserve account was linked to the trust.""
Inez leaned forward.
"Do you know which bank holds it?""
Whitmore nodded.
"First Atlantic Trust.""
Inez immediately wrote which bank holds it?""
Whitmore nodded.
"First Atlantic Trust.""
Inez immediately wrote it down.
Then Whitmore looked at Dad.
"Manuel, there's something you need to tell your son.""
Dad stared at him.
Whitmore continued it down.
Then Whitmore looked at Dad.
"Manuel, there's something you need to tell your son.""
Dad stared at him.
Whitmore continued.
"Your father never believed Victor would return. But he knew someone in the family might eventually be tempted.
"Your father never believed Victor would return. But he knew someone in the family might eventually be tempted to sell the land.""
I looked between them.
"Who?""
Whitmore lowered his voice.
"Your grandfather suspected Derek.""
My father to sell the land.""
I looked between them.
"Who?""
Whitmore lowered his voice.
"Your grandfather suspected Derek.""
My father looked down.
Richard continued.
"That's why he added the conditional inheritance clause. Derek was supposed to receive looked down.
Richard continued.
"That's why he added the conditional inheritance clause. Derek was supposed to receive a share of the company only if he completed five years of honest service and demonstrated that he could protect the family assets.""
I shook a share of the company only if he completed five years of honest service and demonstrated that he could protect the family assets.""
I shook my head.
"He never did.""
"No.""
Whitmore closed his eyes.
"And there's another reason.""
He opened them again.
"Your my head.
"He never did.""
"No.""
Whitmore closed his eyes.
"And there's another reason.""
He opened them again.
"Your grandfather discovered that Derek had been communicating with Victor while he was still alive.""
Dad stood abruptly grandfather discovered that Derek had been communicating with Victor while he was still alive.""
Dad stood abruptly.
"That's impossible.""
Whitmore looked at him sadly.
"I have the letters.""
I felt the room.
"That's impossible.""
Whitmore looked at him sadly.
"I have the letters.""
I felt the room tilt.
My brother hadn't just become involved with Victor recently.
He had been connected to him long before Grandpa died.
Whitmore reached tilt.
My brother hadn't just become involved with Victor recently.
He had been connected to him long before Grandpa died.
Whitmore reached beneath his blanket and pulled out a small envelope.
"I kept copies.""
Inez took it carefully beneath his blanket and pulled out a small envelope.
"I kept copies.""
Inez took it carefully.
Inside were three letters.
The first was dated twenty years earlier.
The last was dated just four months before my grandfather died.
The final.
Inside were three letters.
The first was dated twenty years earlier.
The last was dated just four months before my grandfather died.
The final letter contained a sentence written in Derek's handwriting.
*When the old man is gone, I'll make sure the land is finally letter contained a sentence written in Derek's handwriting.
When the old man is gone, I'll make sure the land is finally transferred. You won't have to wait much longer.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Dad.
He was staring at the page as if he couldn't recognize the handwriting of transferred. You won't have to wait much longer.*
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Dad.
He was staring at the page as if he couldn't recognize the handwriting of his own son.
Richard Whitmore whispered:
"Your grandfather knew Derek was working with Victor. But he never discovered how far they had gone.""
I folded the letter.
Now his own son.
Richard Whitmore whispered:
"Your grandfather knew Derek was working with Victor. But he never discovered how far they had gone.""
I folded the letter.
Now I understood why Derek had been searching for the hidden room.
He wasn't simply trying to get rich.
He was trying to erase the I understood why Derek had been searching for the hidden room.
He wasn't simply trying to get rich.
He was trying to erase the evidence of a relationship that had existed for twenty years.
And if the original partnership agreement was still somewhere in Savannah, Victor and evidence of a relationship that had existed for twenty years.
And if the original partnership agreement was still somewhere in Savannah, Victor and Derek had a very good reason to make sure nobody found it.
Then Richard grabbed my wrist.
"Alvin.""
I Derek had a very good reason to make sure nobody found it.
Then Richard grabbed my wrist.
"Alvin.""
I leaned closer.
He looked terrified.
"There's one more thing. Victor didn't come back leaned closer.
He looked terrified.
"There's one more thing. Victor didn't come back to Savannah because of the money.""
"Then why?""
Richard swallowed.
"Because he believes to Savannah because of the money.""
"Then why?""
Richard swallowed.
"Because he believes the original partnership agreement proves that the commercial land was never your grandfather's to give away.""
He paused.
"And he has a document your grandfather never the original partnership agreement proves that the commercial land was never your grandfather's to give away.""
May you like
He paused.
"And he has a document your grandfather never knew existed.""
