Chapter 7: The Secret## Chapter 7: The Secret My Father Kept for Thirteen Years
My father had My Father Kept for Thirteen Years
My father had always been the safest person in my life.
When I was little, he checked always been the safest person in my life.
When I was little, he checked beneath my bed for monsters. When I got married, he walked me down the beneath my bed for monsters. When I got married, he walked me down the aisle with tears in his eyes.
When Janice disappeared, he sat beside me through every sleepless night, bringing coffee and aisle with tears in his eyes. When Janice disappeared, he sat beside me through every sleepless night, bringing coffee and reminding me that I still had Jeremy.
Now he stood beside a police vehicle at five in the morning, holding reminding me that I still had Jeremy.
Now he stood beside a police vehicle at five in the morning, holding a photograph that connected him to the two men who had destroyed my family.
And he was telling me he had known something about my a photograph that connected him to the two men who had destroyed my family.
And he was telling me he had known something about my daughter before she was born.
"Robert," I whispered.
"What are you saying?""
My father looked at the photograph.
Then he daughter before she was born.
"Robert," I whispered.
"What are you saying?""
My father looked at the photograph.
Then he looked at David.
"Not here.""
I laughed.
It wasn't a happy sound.
"Not here? looked at David.
"Not here.""
I laughed.
It wasn't a happy sound.
"Not here? You've had thirteen years to find somewhere to tell me!""
Detective Harris stepped between us.
"Mr You've had thirteen years to find somewhere to tell me!""
Detective Harris stepped between us.
"Mr. Miller, I need you to explain your connection to Richard Cole.""
My father swallowed.
"I knew Richard before Sarah met David.""
I stared at him.
"How?""
"He was one of my. Miller, I need you to explain your connection to Richard Cole.""
My father swallowed.
"I knew Richard before Sarah met David.""
I stared at him.
"How?""
"He was one of my business partners.""
The words landed heavily.
My father had retired from construction when I was twenty-five. He had owned business partners.""
The words landed heavily.
My father had retired from construction when I was twenty-five. He had owned a small contracting company, employed a dozen men, and spent most of his life building commercial a small contracting company, employed a dozen men, and spent most of his life building commercial properties around the county.
I knew he had experienced financial problems.
I didn't know Richard properties around the county.
I knew he had experienced financial problems.
I didn't know Richard Cole had been involved.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought it was over.""
"What was over?""
My father closed his eyes.
"Richard Cole had been involved.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought it was over.""
"What was over?""
My father closed his eyes.
"Richard had invested money in my company. When had invested money in my company. When the business collapsed, I owed him more than I could repay.""
I looked at David.
Then at the photograph.
"How much?""
"One hundred and sixty thousand dollars.""
I felt sick.
Another debt.
Another payment.
Another man with the business collapsed, I owed him more than I could repay.""
I looked at David.
Then at the photograph.
"How much?""
"One hundred and sixty thousand dollars.""
I felt sick.
Another debt.
Another payment.
Another man with a price attached to my children's lives.
"Did Richard ask you to do something?""
My father nodded.
"He asked a price attached to my children's lives.
"Did Richard ask you to do something?""
My father nodded.
"He asked me to introduce him to you.""
I stepped backward.
"What?""
"He wanted to meet you. He said he was interested in investing me to introduce him to you.""
I stepped backward.
"What?""
"He wanted to meet you. He said he was interested in investing in a business you were helping David establish.""
I remembered those years.
I had been working part-time in an accounting office while David tried to build in a business you were helping David establish.""
I remembered those years.
I had been working part-time in an accounting office while David tried to build a property management company.
My father had encouraged us to meet Richard.
He had described him as a generous businessman.
A man who could help us get a property management company.
My father had encouraged us to meet Richard.
He had described him as a generous businessman.
A man who could help us get started.
I had shaken his hand at a restaurant.
I had thanked him for his advice.
And I had never suspected that he was started.
I had shaken his hand at a restaurant.
I had thanked him for his advice.
And I had never suspected that he was studying my family.
"Did he know about the twins?""
My father nodded.
"He knew everything.""
"Why?""
"Because he had been asking questions about your family studying my family.
"Did he know about the twins?""
My father nodded.
"He knew everything.""
"Why?""
"Because he had been asking questions about your family for months.""
I looked at him.
"What kind of questions?""
My father hesitated.
"Whether you and David were happy. Whether the children for months.""
I looked at him.
"What kind of questions?""
My father hesitated.
"Whether you and David were happy. Whether the children were healthy. Whether you intended to have more children.""
I stared at him.
"Why would he care?""
My father looked toward the dark water.
"Because were healthy. Whether you intended to have more children.""
I stared at him.
"Why would he care?""
My father looked toward the dark water.
"Because Richard had been searching for a child.""
Detective Harris asked everyone to move away from the storage building.
David was still being questioned Richard had been searching for a child.""
Detective Harris asked everyone to move away from the storage building.
David was still being questioned by two officers.
The blue box had been placed inside an evidence vehicle.
My father sat on a metal bench near the marina office by two officers.
The blue box had been placed inside an evidence vehicle.
My father sat on a metal bench near the marina office.
I stood in front of him.
"Tell me everything.""
He rubbed his hands together.
"Richard's wife had died.
I stood in front of him.
"Tell me everything.""
He rubbed his hands together.
"Richard's wife had died several years earlier. They had never been able to have children. He became obsessed with the idea of having an heir.""
"An heir?""
"He owned several properties, investment several years earlier. They had never been able to have children. He became obsessed with the idea of having an heir.""
"An heir?""
"He owned several properties, investment accounts, and a family trust. He wanted someone to inherit everything.""
"Then why didn't he adopt?""
"He had tried. There were legal complications accounts, and a family trust. He wanted someone to inherit everything.""
"Then why didn't he adopt?""
"He had tried. There were legal complications. His attorneys told him the process would take years.""
My father looked at me.
"Then he met Janice.""
I felt my stomach. His attorneys told him the process would take years.""
My father looked at me.
"Then he met Janice.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"She was five.""
"I know.""
"She was a little girl who liked chocolate milk and cartoon rabbits.""
tighten.
"She was five.""
"I know.""
"She was a little girl who liked chocolate milk and cartoon rabbits.""
My father lowered his head.
"I know, Sarah.""
"Stop saying that!""
My voice echoed across the empty marina.
"EverybodyMy father lowered his head.
"I know, Sarah.""
"Stop saying that!""
My voice echoed across the empty marina.
"Everybody keeps telling me they know. Everybody knew something. Everybody saw something. And somehow I was the only person who didn't know my own daughter was keeps telling me they know.
Everybody knew something. Everybody saw something. And somehow I was the only person who didn't know my own daughter was being taken.""
My father began crying.
"I thought Richard only wanted to help.""
"Help whom?""
"Me. David. The family.""
I shook my head being taken.""
My father began crying.
"I thought Richard only wanted to help.""
"Help whom?""
"Me. David. The family.""
I shook my head.
"You helped him find a child.""
"I didn't know he intended to take her.""
"But you knew he was asking.
"You helped him find a child.""
"I didn't know he intended to take her.""
"But you knew he was asking about her.""
My father nodded.
I turned away.
For the first time in my life, I couldn't look at him.
He continued about her.""
My father nodded.
I turned away.
For the first time in my life, I couldn't look at him.
He continued speaking.
After David's business collapsed, Richard approached him with an offer.
He would settle David's debts and provide additional money.
speaking.
After David's business collapsed, Richard approached him with an offer.
He would settle David's debts and provide additional money.
In exchange, David would arrange for Janice to be placed with Richard's household.
Richard wanted a daughter.
David wanted toIn exchange, David would arrange for Janice to be placed with Richard's household.
Richard wanted a daughter.
David wanted to escape his financial problems.
And my father wanted Richard to stop threatening his company.
Three men.
One little escape his financial problems.
And my father wanted Richard to stop threatening his company.
Three men.
One little girl.
I felt nauseated.
"What about me?""
My father looked at me.
"Richard said you would never agree girl.
I felt nauseated.
"What about me?""
My father looked at me.
"Richard said you would never agree.""
"Of course I wouldn't!""
"He knew that.""
"Then why did you help him?""
"I didn't know the plan until after it happened.""
I stared at him.
"Did you know about the.""
"Of course I wouldn't!""
"He knew that.""
"Then why did you help him?""
"I didn't know the plan until after it happened.""
I stared at him.
"Did you know about the lake?""
"No.""
"Did you know David was going to tell the police she drowned?""
"No.""
"Did you know Jeremy was there?""
lake?""
"No.""
"Did you know David was going to tell the police she drowned?""
"No.""
"Did you know Jeremy was there?""
My father covered his face.
"No.""
I wanted to believe him.
But I couldn't.
Not anymore.
"Then why did you keepMy father covered his face.
"No.""
I wanted to believe him.
But I couldn't.
Not anymore.
"Then why did you keep quiet?""
He slowly lowered his hands.
"Because Richard called me the night Janice disappeared.""
My heart stopped.
"What did he say?""
"He told me the arrangement had been completed. He said Janice was safe quiet?""
He slowly lowered his hands.
"Because Richard called me the night Janice disappeared.""
My heart stopped.
"What did he say?""
"He told me the arrangement had been completed. He said Janice was safe. He said David had handled everything.""
"Did he tell you about the drowning story?""
My father nodded.
I couldn't. He said David had handled everything.""
"Did he tell you about the drowning story?""
My father nodded.
I couldn't speak.
"He said it was necessary because the police would otherwise search for her.""
I stepped backward.
"You knew she was alive.""
My father began sobbing.
"I thought she speak.
"He said it was necessary because the police would otherwise search for her.""
I stepped backward.
"You knew she was alive.""
My father began sobbing.
"I thought she was going to have a better life.""
I stared at him.
"She had a life, Dad. She had a mother. She had a brother. She had a home.""
was going to have a better life.""
I stared at him.
"She had a life, Dad. She had a mother. She had a brother. She had a home.""
"I know.""
"No. You don't.""
I turned toward Jeremy.
He was standing beside Janice, watching us.
He had heard everything"I know.""
"No. You don't.""
I turned toward Jeremy.
He was standing beside Janice, watching us.
He had heard everything.
I saw the question in his eyes.
Was Grandpa part of it too?
I didn't know what to tell.
I saw the question in his eyes.
Was Grandpa part of it too?
I didn't know what to tell him.
Detective Harris approached with a small evidence bag.
Inside was a silver bracelet.
The matching him.
Detective Harris approached with a small evidence bag.
Inside was a silver bracelet.
The matching bracelet.
The one Janice had worn before she disappeared.
"Where did you find that?"" I asked.
"Inside the blue box.""
Janice stepped closer.
"That's mine.""
Harris nodded.
"There bracelet.
The one Janice had worn before she disappeared.
"Where did you find that?"" I asked.
"Inside the blue box.""
Janice stepped closer.
"That's mine.""
Harris nodded.
"There was also a memory card.""
He held up a second evidence bag.
"We're having it examined.""
David, was also a memory card.""
He held up a second evidence bag.
"We're having it examined.""
David, who was standing near the police vehicle, suddenly became agitated.
"That's not yours.""
Harris turned.
"What?""
"The box belongs to Richard's estate.""
"Richard is deceased.""
"That doesn't mean you can take who was standing near the police vehicle, suddenly became agitated.
"That's not yours.""
Harris turned.
"What?""
"The box belongs to Richard's estate.""
"Richard is deceased.""
"That doesn't mean you can take his property.""
Harris looked at the officers.
"Put him in the vehicle.""
David struggled.
"Sarah!""
I didn't move.
"Sarah his property.""
Harris looked at the officers.
"Put him in the vehicle.""
David struggled.
"Sarah!""
I didn't move.
"Sarah, tell them!""
I looked at my husband.
"You told me our daughter was dead.""
He stopped struggling.
"You let, tell them!""
I looked at my husband.
"You told me our daughter was dead.""
He stopped struggling.
"You let me bury a stuffed rabbit in an empty coffin.""
His eyes filled.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"From what?""
He had no answer.
I stepped closer.
"From the truth?""
me bury a stuffed rabbit in an empty coffin.""
His eyes filled.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"From what?""
He had no answer.
I stepped closer.
"From the truth?""
David looked down.
And for the first time, he didn't deny it.
At the station, the memory card revealed three videoDavid looked down.
And for the first time, he didn't deny it.
At the station, the memory card revealed three video files.
The first showed Richard sitting inside the marina office.
He was younger, perhaps fifty-five.
He wore the same gold watch with files.
The first showed Richard sitting inside the marina office.
He was younger, perhaps fifty-five.
He wore the same gold watch with the black bird.
He spoke directly to the camera.
"My name is Richard Cole. If this recording is being viewed, something has happened to me, and the people involved in the transfer the black bird.
He spoke directly to the camera.
"My name is Richard Cole. If this recording is being viewed, something has happened to me, and the people involved in the transfer of Janice Miller have failed to keep their agreement.""
I gripped the chair.
The recording continued.
"David Miller approached me because he of Janice Miller have failed to keep their agreement.""
I gripped the chair.
The recording continued.
"David Miller approached me because he was drowning in debt. He offered his daughter in exchange for financial assistance. I agreed to take responsibility for her upbringing.""
My stomach turned.
was drowning in debt. He offered his daughter in exchange for financial assistance. I agreed to take responsibility for her upbringing.""
My stomach turned.
Richard continued.
"Robert Miller introduced us. He knew what I wanted, and he understood the arrangement.""
My father lowered his head.
Then Richard said something unexpected.
"Richard continued.
"Robert Miller introduced us. He knew what I wanted, and he understood the arrangement.""
My father lowered his head.
Then Richard said something unexpected.
"However, there was one condition David did not disclose to me.""
He leaned closer to the camera.
"Janice was not the onlyHowever, there was one condition David did not disclose to me.""
He leaned closer to the camera.
"Janice was not the only child I wanted.""
The video ended.
I looked at Detective Harris.
"What does that mean?""
He opened the second file.
It showed Richard child I wanted.""
The video ended.
I looked at Detective Harris.
"What does that mean?""
He opened the second file.
It showed Richard in a different room.
A document was visible on the desk.
He picked it up.
"The boy was supposed to be removed as well in a different room.
A document was visible on the desk.
He picked it up.
"The boy was supposed to be removed as well. But David insisted that the twins could not both disappear without attracting suspicion.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Jeremy was standing beside. But David insisted that the twins could not both disappear without attracting suspicion.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Jeremy was standing beside me.
His hand tightened around mine.
Richard continued.
"I agreed to leave the boy behind. David promised he would make sure the child never me.
His hand tightened around mine.
Richard continued.
"I agreed to leave the boy behind. David promised he would make sure the child never spoke about what happened.""
The recording stopped.
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Jeremy.
He stared at the screen.
Then he whispered:
"He wanted me too.""
I pulled him into my arms.
"Nobody spoke about what happened.""
The recording stopped.
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Jeremy.
He stared at the screen.
Then he whispered:
"He wanted me too.""
I pulled him into my arms.
"Nobody is ever taking you anywhere.""
But Detective Harris wasn't finished.
He opened the third file.
The screen showed a woman is ever taking you anywhere.""
But Detective Harris wasn't finished.
He opened the third file.
The screen showed a woman sitting beside a window.
Her face was partially hidden.
She was speaking to someone off-camera.
Then she turned sitting beside a window.
Her face was partially hidden.
She was speaking to someone off-camera.
Then she turned toward the lens.
I recognized her immediately.
Eleanor.
She was younger.
And sitting beside her was Janice.
Richard's voice came from behind the camera.
"Tell toward the lens.
I recognized her immediately.
Eleanor.
She was younger.
And sitting beside her was Janice.
Richard's voice came from behind the camera.
"Tell the girl why she can't go home.""
Eleanor hesitated.
Then she looked at Janice.
"Because your mother doesn't want you.""
Janice began crying.
I felt something tear inside me.
the girl why she can't go home.""
Eleanor hesitated.
Then she looked at Janice.
"Because your mother doesn't want you.""
Janice began crying.
I felt something tear inside me.
The little girl on the screen was my daughter.
And she was hearing the same lie that had kept my son silent for eight years.
But then Eleanor said something that nobody in the room expected.
"That's what Richard told me to say.""
The recording ended.
I turned toward her.
"Eleanor?""
SheThe little girl on the screen was my daughter.
And she was hearing the same lie that had kept my son silent for eight years.
But then Eleanor said something that nobody in the room expected.
"That's what Richard told me to say.""
The recording ended.
I turned toward her.
"Eleanor?""
She covered her face.
"I thought the camera had been destroyed.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"What else do you know?""
Eleanor began shaking.
Then she whispered:
"Richard didn't choose covered her face.
"I thought the camera had been destroyed.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"What else do you know?""
Eleanor began shaking.
Then she whispered:
"Richard didn't choose Janice because he wanted a daughter.""
She looked at my father.
"He chose her because of the inheritance.""
My father went completely still.
Eleanor continued.
"Janice was the biological heir Janice because he wanted a daughter.""
She looked at my father.
"He chose her because of the inheritance.""
My father went completely still.
Eleanor continued.
"Janice was the biological heir to a fortune that Richard's family had been trying to protect for years.""
I stared at her.
"What fortune?""
Eleanor took a breath.
"Her biological father's family.""
And then she revealed the to a fortune that Richard's family had been trying to protect for years.""
I stared at her.
"What fortune?""
Eleanor took a breath.
"Her biological father's family.""
And then she revealed the name that had been missing from the original DNA report.
"Richard Cole wasn't Janice's father. He was trying to steal her inheritance from name that had been missing from the original DNA report.
May you like
"Richard Cole wasn't Janice's father. He was trying to steal her inheritance from the man who actually was.""
the man who actually was.""
