Chapter 8: The Father Chapter 8: The Father Nobody Had Been Looking For
Eleanor's Nobody Had Been Looking For
Eleanor's revelation changed the investigation.
Detective Harris stopped the revelation changed the investigation.
Detective Harris stopped the recording.
"Start again," he said.
Eleanor sat with both hands wrapped around a paper cup of recording.
"Start again," he said.
Eleanor sat with both hands wrapped around a paper cup of water. Her face was pale, and her eyes kept moving toward Janice.
"Richard wasn't her biological father," Harris repeated.
"Are you certain?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did he arrange the transfer?""
Eleanor looked water. Her face was pale, and her eyes kept moving toward Janice.
"Richard wasn't her biological father," Harris repeated.
"Are you certain?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did he arrange the transfer?""
Eleanor looked at me.
"Because Janice's biological father had died.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who was he?""
at me.
"Because Janice's biological father had died.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who was he?""
Eleanor hesitated.
"His name was Daniel Miller.""
I frowned.
The surname meant nothing to me.
There were hundreds of MillEleanor hesitated.
"His name was Daniel Miller.""
I frowned.
The surname meant nothing to me.
There were hundreds of Millers in our county.
"Was he related to David?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"No. He was related to you.""
I stopped breathing.
"To me?""
She noddeders in our county.
"Was he related to David?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"No. He was related to you.""
I stopped breathing.
"To me?""
She nodded.
"Daniel was your mother's first child.""
The room seemed to tilt.
I looked toward my father.
He had become completely motionless.
"Robert?""
He didn't look at me.
"Is.
"Daniel was your mother's first child.""
The room seemed to tilt.
I looked toward my father.
He had become completely motionless.
"Robert?""
He didn't look at me.
"Is that true?""
My father rubbed his forehead.
"Your mother had a son before she met me.""
I stared at him.
I knew my mother had been married once before.
She had mentioned it occasionally, always describing her that true?""
My father rubbed his forehead.
"Your mother had a son before she met me.""
I stared at him.
I knew my mother had been married once before.
She had mentioned it occasionally, always describing her first husband as someone who had left when she was young.
But she had never mentioned a child.
Not once.
"Where was he?""
My father swallowed.
"He was adopted by another family.""
"Why first husband as someone who had left when she was young.
But she had never mentioned a child.
Not once.
"Where was he?""
My father swallowed.
"He was adopted by another family.""
"Why?""
"Your mother was very young. She couldn't raise him alone.""
"Did you know him?""
My father nodded.
"I met him once.""
"When?""
"About twenty years ago?""
"Your mother was very young. She couldn't raise him alone.""
"Did you know him?""
My father nodded.
"I met him once.""
"When?""
"About twenty years ago.""
I felt my hands begin to shake.
"And Daniel was Janice's biological father?""
My father looked at me.
"Yes.""
I couldn't understand.
Daniel had been my half-brother.
Which meant Janice was the daughter of my.""
I felt my hands begin to shake.
"And Daniel was Janice's biological father?""
My father looked at me.
"Yes.""
I couldn't understand.
Daniel had been my half-brother.
Which meant Janice was the daughter of my nephew.
My daughter was also my grandniece.
I pressed a hand against my mouth.
"How could nobody tell me?""
My father closed his eyes.
"Because your mother never wanted nephew.
My daughter was also my grandniece.
I pressed a hand against my mouth.
"How could nobody tell me?""
My father closed his eyes.
"Because your mother never wanted you to know.""
Eleanor explained that Daniel had grown up with his adoptive parents.
He had eventually become a successful property developer.
He had married young, you to know.""
Eleanor explained that Daniel had grown up with his adoptive parents.
He had eventually become a successful property developer.
He had married young, divorced, and spent several years traveling.
He had returned to the county shortly before Janice was born.
He had also become involved divorced, and spent several years traveling.
He had returned to the county shortly before Janice was born.
He had also become involved in a business dispute with Richard Cole.
According to Eleanor, Richard had discovered Daniel's family history and learned that Daniel had been searching for his biological relatives.
Then he discovered something else.
Daniel had established a substantial family in a business dispute with Richard Cole.
According to Eleanor, Richard had discovered Daniel's family history and learned that Daniel had been searching for his biological relatives.
Then he discovered something else.
Daniel had established a substantial family trust.
The trust was designed to pass to his direct descendants.
When Daniel died unexpectedly, the estate became the subject of a complicated trust.
The trust was designed to pass to his direct descendants.
When Daniel died unexpectedly, the estate became the subject of a complicated legal process.
Janice was the only known biological child.
If her identity could be established, she would inherit everything.
legal process.
Janice was the only known biological child.
If her identity could be established, she would inherit everything.
I looked at Eleanor.
"How much?""
She hesitated.
"More than twelve million dollars.""
My father lowered his head.
I laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because the number was soI looked at Eleanor.
"How much?""
She hesitated.
"More than twelve million dollars.""
My father lowered his head.
I laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because the number was so absurd that my mind couldn't process it.
"Twelve million dollars?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Richard was managing part of Daniel's business interests. He knew about the inheritance before anyone else.""
"Then he knew Janice was entitled to it.""
"Yes.""
"And he absurd that my mind couldn't process it.
"Twelve million dollars?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Richard was managing part of Daniel's business interests. He knew about the inheritance before anyone else.""
"Then he knew Janice was entitled to it.""
"Yes.""
"And he took her to control the money.""
Eleanor looked down.
"That's what I believe.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"Why did Richard need David?""
" took her to control the money.""
Eleanor looked down.
"That's what I believe.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"Why did Richard need David?""
"Because David was Janice's legal father. He could provide the documents needed to move her without immediately attracting attention.""
I turned toward my husband.
Because David was Janice's legal father. He could provide the documents needed to move her without immediately attracting attention.""
I turned toward my husband.
He sat behind the glass partition in the adjacent interview room.
Two officers were questioning him.
I watchedHe sat behind the glass partition in the adjacent interview room.
Two officers were questioning him.
I watched him rub his hands together.
Eight years ago, he had driven away with our daughter.
Now I understood why.
It wasn't simply about debt.
It was about twelve million dollars.
Harris requested the original inheritance records.
Within an him rub his hands together.
Eight years ago, he had driven away with our daughter.
Now I understood why.
It wasn't simply about debt.
It was about twelve million dollars.
Harris requested the original inheritance records.
Within an hour, an attorney from Daniel's estate arrived at the station.
His name was Charles Bennett.
He carried two leather folders and wore a gray suit that looked as though it had never been hour, an attorney from Daniel's estate arrived at the station.
His name was Charles Bennett.
He carried two leather folders and wore a gray suit that looked as though it had never been near a washing machine.
He introduced himself to me.
"Mrs. Miller, I'm sorry for everything your family has experienced.""
I didn't shake his hand.
" near a washing machine.
He introduced himself to me.
"Mrs. Miller, I'm sorry for everything your family has experienced.""
I didn't shake his hand.
"Did you know about Janice?""
He nodded.
"I represent the trustees of Daniel Miller's estate.""
"Then you knew she existed.""
"We knew there was a possibility of a biological daughter.""
"Possibility?""
"Daniel's original will mentioned a childDid you know about Janice?""
He nodded.
"I represent the trustees of Daniel Miller's estate.""
"Then you knew she existed.""
"We knew there was a possibility of a biological daughter.""
"Possibility?""
"Daniel's original will mentioned a child born outside his marriage. However, the identity was never confirmed.""
I stared at him.
"And nobody contacted me?""
"We didn't know you were related to him.""
I almost laughed born outside his marriage. However, the identity was never confirmed.""
I stared at him.
"And nobody contacted me?""
"We didn't know you were related to him.""
I almost laughed again.
"Nobody knew anything in this family, apparently.""
Bennett opened his folder.
"Richard Cole had been appointed temporary financial administrator after Daniel's death. He was responsible for locating any surviving heirs.""
"Instead again.
"Nobody knew anything in this family, apparently.""
Bennett opened his folder.
"Richard Cole had been appointed temporary financial administrator after Daniel's death. He was responsible for locating any surviving heirs.""
"Instead, he took my daughter.""
Bennett nodded.
"That's what the evidence appears to show.""
He placed a document in front of me, he took my daughter.""
Bennett nodded.
"That's what the evidence appears to show.""
He placed a document in front of me.
It was a copy of Daniel's will.
There was a section near the end that had been highlighted.
**Any biological child of.
It was a copy of Daniel's will.
There was a section near the end that had been highlighted.
*Any biological child of mine, whether born within marriage or otherwise, shall be recognized as my direct heir upon verification of parent mine, whether born within marriage or otherwise, shall be recognized as my direct heir upon verification of parentage.*
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Janice.
She was sitting beside Jeremy, listening quietly.
"Does she have to do anything?""
Bennett shook his head.
"No. The legal process will be handled by the trustees. She is a minor. Her interests willage.**
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Janice.
She was sitting beside Jeremy, listening quietly.
"Does she have to do anything?""
Bennett shook his head.
"No. The legal process will be handled by the trustees. She is a minor. Her interests will be protected.""
"Who controls the money until she's eighteen?""
"The estate trustees.""
I looked at be protected.""
"Who controls the money until she's eighteen?""
"The estate trustees.""
I looked at him.
"Not David?""
"Absolutely not.""
For the first time that morning, I felt a little relief.
Then Bennett him.
"Not David?""
"Absolutely not.""
For the first time that morning, I felt a little relief.
Then Bennett placed another paper on the table.
It was a bank transfer record.
The first payment to David.
$40,000.
The second payment.
$85,000.
The third payment.
$120,000.
Total.
$245,000.
placed another paper on the table.
It was a bank transfer record.
The first payment to David.
$40,000.
The second payment.
$85,000.
The third payment.
$120,000.
Total.
$245,000.
The payments had been made through a company registered to Richard Cole.
I looked at the dates.
The first payment had occurred before Janice disappeared.
The final payment had occurred three days after the supposedThe payments had been made through a company registered to Richard Cole.
I looked at the dates.
The first payment had occurred before Janice disappeared.
The final payment had occurred three days after the supposed drowning.
I felt sick.
David hadn't simply accepted money to give away his daughter.
He had continued receiving money after telling me she was dead.
" drowning.
I felt sick.
David hadn't simply accepted money to give away his daughter.
He had continued receiving money after telling me she was dead.
"There's another problem," Bennett said.
I looked up.
"What?""
"Daniel's estate was never fully distributed because Richard filed a legal claimThere's another problem," Bennett said.
I looked up.
"What?""
"Daniel's estate was never fully distributed because Richard filed a legal claim shortly before his death.""
"What kind of claim?""
"He argued that Janice had been voluntarily placed in his care and that the family shortly before his death.""
"What kind of claim?""
"He argued that Janice had been voluntarily placed in his care and that the family had abandoned her.""
My hands tightened.
"Abandoned her?""
Bennett nodded.
"He submitted a signed statement from David.""
I stared at him.
"Show me.""
He handed over the document.
David had written that I suffered had abandoned her.""
My hands tightened.
"Abandoned her?""
Bennett nodded.
"He submitted a signed statement from David.""
I stared at him.
"Show me.""
He handed over the document.
David had written that I suffered from emotional instability after childbirth and had been unable to care for Janice.
He claimed I had agreed to let another family raise her.
He also claimed Jeremy had behavioral problems that made it impossible for the from emotional instability after childbirth and had been unable to care for Janice.
He claimed I had agreed to let another family raise her.
He also claimed Jeremy had behavioral problems that made it impossible for the twins to remain together.
I couldn't believe what I was reading.
He had used my grief.
He had used my son's silence.
He had used the very love that had made me trust him.
At the bottom was another signature.
Mine.
Again.
Forg twins to remain together.
I couldn't believe what I was reading.
He had used my grief.
He had used my son's silence.
He had used the very love that had made me trust him.
At the bottom was another signature.
Mine.
Again.
Forged.
I pushed the document away.
"I want him charged.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"We're building the case.""
"Then build it fastered.
I pushed the document away.
"I want him charged.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"We're building the case.""
"Then build it faster.""
Later that afternoon, Janice asked to speak to me alone.
We went into a small room with a window overlooking the station parking lot.
She sat on the sofa and.""
Later that afternoon, Janice asked to speak to me alone.
We went into a small room with a window overlooking the station parking lot.
She sat on the sofa and folded her hands.
"Mom?""
I turned toward her.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
"Can I ask something?""
"Anything.""
She hesitated.
"Was folded her hands.
"Mom?""
I turned toward her.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
"Can I ask something?""
"Anything.""
She hesitated.
"Was I really supposed to have a different life?""
I moved beside her.
"What do you mean?""
"Richard told me I was special. He said I had been chosen I really supposed to have a different life?""
I moved beside her.
"What do you mean?""
"Richard told me I was special. He said I had been chosen because I was going to be important.""
I took her hand.
"You were important because you were you. Not because of money. Not because of an inheritance.""
She looked down.
"He told me you didn't want me.""
"I know because I was going to be important.""
I took her hand.
"You were important because you were you. Not because of money. Not because of an inheritance.""
She looked down.
"He told me you didn't want me.""
"I know.""
"He said Jeremy was the reason you couldn't love me.""
My heart broke all over again.
"That was a lie.""
Jan.""
"He said Jeremy was the reason you couldn't love me.""
My heart broke all over again.
"That was a lie.""
Janice nodded.
"I know that now.""
She looked toward the door.
"Do you think Jeremy hates me?""
I frowned.
"Why would he?""
"ice nodded.
"I know that now.""
She looked toward the door.
"Do you think Jeremy hates me?""
I frowned.
"Why would he?""
"Because I left him.""
I pulled her into my arms.
"You were five years old. You didn't leave anybody. You were taken.""
Her shoulders began shaking.
"I rememberBecause I left him.""
I pulled her into my arms.
"You were five years old. You didn't leave anybody. You were taken.""
Her shoulders began shaking.
"I remember calling for him.""
"I know.""
"I thought he would come.""
"He wanted to.""
She looked at me.
"Did he?""
I nodded.
"He waited eight years for you.""
Janice calling for him.""
"I know.""
"I thought he would come.""
"He wanted to.""
She looked at me.
"Did he?""
I nodded.
"He waited eight years for you.""
Janice began crying.
I held her until her breathing slowed.
Then she whispered something that made me realize how much work lay ahead.
"Mom, I don't know how to be your daughter again.""
I began crying.
I held her until her breathing slowed.
Then she whispered something that made me realize how much work lay ahead.
"Mom, I don't know how to be your daughter again.""
I kissed her forehead.
"You don't have to learn all at once.""
That evening, Jeremy came into the room.
He had a folded piece of paper in kissed her forehead.
"You don't have to learn all at once.""
That evening, Jeremy came into the room.
He had a folded piece of paper in his hand.
He sat beside his sister.
Then he gave it to her.
Janice opened it.
There were only three words.
**I his hand.
He sat beside his sister.
Then he gave it to her.
Janice opened it.
There were only three words.
*I NEVER FORGOT.*
She looked at him.
Then she leaned against his shoulder.
Jeremy wrapped his arm around her.
For a moment, I saw the twins I remembered NEVER FORGOT.**
She looked at him.
Then she leaned against his shoulder.
Jeremy wrapped his arm around her.
For a moment, I saw the twins I remembered.
Not five-year-olds.
Not children playing detectives.
But two siblings who had found each other after years of being told they were.
Not five-year-olds.
Not children playing detectives.
But two siblings who had found each other after years of being told they were separated forever.
Then Jeremy took the paper back.
He added another sentence.
*I REMEMBER THE OTHER MAN.*
Jan separated forever.
Then Jeremy took the paper back.
He added another sentence.
*I REMEMBER THE OTHER MAN.*
Janice sat up.
"What other man?""
Jeremy looked at me.
Then he wrote:
**THE MAN WHO CAME TO THE HOUSE BEFORE DAD TOOKice sat up.
"What other man?""
Jeremy looked at me.
Then he wrote:
*THE MAN WHO CAME TO THE HOUSE BEFORE DAD TOOK YOU.*
I frowned.
"Richard?""
Jeremy shook his head.
He wrote another name.
*PETER.*
I looked toward the doorway.
My father's old photograph YOU.**
I frowned.
"Richard?""
Jeremy shook his head.
He wrote another name.
*PETER.*
I looked toward the doorway.
My father's old photograph came back to me.
David.
Richard.
And Peter.
David's closest friend.
The man who had attended our wedding.
The man who had held Jeremy as a baby.
The man who had brought Christmas presents to our house came back to me.
David.
Richard.
And Peter.
David's closest friend.
The man who had attended our wedding.
The man who had held Jeremy as a baby.
The man who had brought Christmas presents to our house.
I turned toward Jeremy.
"Are you sure?""
He nodded.
"Did he come inside?""
Another nod.
"Did he talk to Janice?""
Jeremy's pencil moved.
**HE SAID SHE.
I turned toward Jeremy.
"Are you sure?""
He nodded.
"Did he come inside?""
Another nod.
"Did he talk to Janice?""
Jeremy's pencil moved.
*HE SAID SHE WOULD BE SAFE IF SHE WENT WITH HIM.*
Janice's face changed.
"I remember.""
She sat forward.
"He came to my bedroom WOULD BE SAFE IF SHE WENT WITH HIM.**
Janice's face changed.
"I remember.""
She sat forward.
"He came to my bedroom.""
I felt cold.
"What?""
"That night. Before the lake trip.""
She looked at Jeremy.
"He gave me the pink rabbit.""
The same stuffed rabbit Eleanor had shown us.
Janice continued.
"He said.""
I felt cold.
"What?""
"That night. Before the lake trip.""
She looked at Jeremy.
"He gave me the pink rabbit.""
The same stuffed rabbit Eleanor had shown us.
Janice continued.
"He said it was a special present from my new family.""
I felt my stomach twist.
I remembered that it was a special present from my new family.""
I felt my stomach twist.
I remembered that rabbit.
I had bought it for Janice's fourth birthday.
It had disappeared after the accident.
I looked at her.
"Where did you get it?""
"Eleanor rabbit.
I had bought it for Janice's fourth birthday.
It had disappeared after the accident.
I looked at her.
"Where did you get it?""
"Eleanor gave it to me later. She said Richard had kept it.""
I stared at her.
Then Jeremy spoke.
"He gave Dad the key.""
My heart stopped.
"What key?""
Jeremy pointed toward the evidence photographs.
gave it to me later. She said Richard had kept it.""
I stared at her.
Then Jeremy spoke.
"He gave Dad the key.""
My heart stopped.
"What key?""
Jeremy pointed toward the evidence photographs.
"The boat key.""
He took out his notebook and drew a small metal key with a black plastic handle.
Then he wrote:
**"The boat key.""
He took out his notebook and drew a small metal key with a black plastic handle.
Then he wrote:
*PETER GAVE IT TO DAD.*
Detective Harris, who had just entered the room, stopped walking.
"What did you say?""
Jeremy pointed to the drawing.
PETER GAVE IT TO DAD.**
Detective Harris, who had just entered the room, stopped walking.
"What did you say?""
Jeremy pointed to the drawing.
Harris studied it.
Then he looked at me.
"Who is Peter?""
I swallowed.
"Peter Lawson. David's business partner. His best friend.""
HHarris studied it.
Then he looked at me.
"Who is Peter?""
I swallowed.
"Peter Lawson. David's business partner. His best friend.""
Harris immediately took out his phone.
"Get me his full name and address.""
I looked at Jeremy.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you tell us before?""
My son stared at the drawing.
Then he whispered:
"Because he was at our house after Janice came home.""
I frozearris immediately took out his phone.
"Get me his full name and address.""
I looked at Jeremy.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you tell us before?""
My son stared at the drawing.
Then he whispered:
"Because he was at our house after Janice came home.""
I froze.
"What?""
Jeremy nodded.
"He told me not to tell.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Peter hadn't merely known about the disappearance.
He had visited our house afterward.
He had stood in our kitchen.
"What?""
Jeremy nodded.
"He told me not to tell.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Peter hadn't merely known about the disappearance.
He had visited our house afterward.
He had stood in our kitchen.
He had watched my son grow silent.
And he had helped maintain the lie.
Detective Harris stepped outside to.
He had watched my son grow silent.
And he had helped maintain the lie.
Detective Harris stepped outside to make a call.
A few minutes later, he returned.
His expression was grim.
"Peter Lawson is no longer at his registered address.""
"Where is he?""
H make a call.
A few minutes later, he returned.
His expression was grim.
"Peter Lawson is no longer at his registered address.""
"Where is he?""
Harris looked at me.
"We don't know.""
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly lowered it.
"What happened?"" I asked.
He looked at Jeremy.
"Mr. Lawson's wife just reportedarris looked at me.
"We don't know.""
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly lowered it.
"What happened?"" I asked.
He looked at Jeremy.
"Mr. Lawson's wife just reported him missing.""
He paused.
"She also says he left a message for your family.""
"What message?""
Harris looked directly at me.
"He said if Janice comes home, someone him missing.""
He paused.
"She also says he left a message for your family.""
"What message?""
May you like
Harris looked directly at me.
"He said if Janice comes home, someone else will disappear.""
