Chapter 7: The Secret## Chapter 7: The Secret Behind My Mother's Photograph
I Behind My Mother's Photograph
I called my aunt back eleven times.
She didn't answer.
By the twelfth attempt called my aunt back eleven times.
She didn't answer.
By the twelfth attempt, her phone was switched off.
I stood beside my office window, staring at the Atlanta skyline while Emily contacted our security team.
"Mr, her phone was switched off.
I stood beside my office window, staring at the Atlanta skyline while Emily contacted our security team.
"Mr. Reed, we've located your aunt's address," she said.
"A team is already on its way to Savannah.""
"How long. Reed, we've located your aunt's address," she said.
"A team is already on its way to Savannah.""
"How long?""
"Approximately three hours.""
"That's too long. Get someone closer.""
Emily nodded and made another call.
I turned?""
"Approximately three hours.""
"That's too long. Get someone closer.""
Emily nodded and made another call.
I turned toward Richard, who had remained in the building under the supervision of our legal department.
"Did you know anything about my mother?""
He looked up toward Richard, who had remained in the building under the supervision of our legal department.
"Did you know anything about my mother?""
He looked up.
"Why are you asking?""
"Vanessa told my aunt something about her. Apparently, my mother wasn't who I thought she was.""
Richard's face changed.
"Did Evelyn.
"Why are you asking?""
"Vanessa told my aunt something about her. Apparently, my mother wasn't who I thought she was.""
Richard's face changed.
"Did Evelyn say that?""
"Yes.""
He sat back slowly.
"Marcus, there's something your father asked me never to discuss.""
I laughed without say that?""
"Yes.""
He sat back slowly.
"Marcus, there's something your father asked me never to discuss.""
I laughed without humor.
"Apparently, everyone in my father's life had a secret.""
Richard didn't respond.
I approached the table.
"Tell me.""
He rubbed humor.
"Apparently, everyone in my father's life had a secret.""
Richard didn't respond.
I approached the table.
"Tell me.""
He rubbed his hands together.
"Your mother, Catherine, wasn't originally from Georgia.""
"I know. She grew up in Virginia.""
"That's what his hands together.
"Your mother, Catherine, wasn't originally from Georgia.""
"I know. She grew up in Virginia.""
"That's what she told you.""
I stared at him.
"What are you saying?""
Richard looked toward the door.
"Your mother was born Catherine Hale.""
The room went silent.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
"Hale?""
" she told you.""
I stared at him.
"What are you saying?""
Richard looked toward the door.
"Your mother was born Catherine Hale.""
The room went silent.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
"Hale?""
"Yes.""
"Victor Hale?""
Richard nodded.
"She was his younger sister.""
I stepped backward.
For a moment, the words didn't seem to make sense.
My motherYes.""
"Victor Hale?""
Richard nodded.
"She was his younger sister.""
I stepped backward.
For a moment, the words didn't seem to make sense.
My mother had been a Hale.
The same family my father had spent years fighting.
The same family that had apparently created North had been a Hale.
The same family my father had spent years fighting.
The same family that had apparently created Northstar Capital Holdings.
I sat down.
"You're telling me my mother was Victor Hale's sister?""
"Yes.""
"Did my father know?""
"Of course.""
"Did I know?""
"No.""
I staredstar Capital Holdings.
I sat down.
"You're telling me my mother was Victor Hale's sister?""
"Yes.""
"Did my father know?""
"Of course.""
"Did I know?""
"No.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
Richard's voice softened.
"Your father fell in love with Catherine before he knew who her brother was. When he discovered the connection at him.
"Why?""
Richard's voice softened.
"Your father fell in love with Catherine before he knew who her brother was. When he discovered the connection, he was already married to her.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't explain why nobody told me.""
"Victor threatened your father. He wanted, he was already married to her.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't explain why nobody told me.""
"Victor threatened your father. He wanted access to the company, and he used your mother's family connections to pressure him.""
"What kind of threat?""
Richard hesitated.
"Victor claimed access to the company, and he used your mother's family connections to pressure him.""
"What kind of threat?""
Richard hesitated.
"Victor claimed your mother was entitled to a share of the family business.""
I leaned forward.
"Was she?""
"Not initially. Your grandfather had your mother was entitled to a share of the family business.""
I leaned forward.
"Was she?""
"Not initially. Your grandfather had created a private holding agreement. But when Catherine married your father, the agreement became complicated.""
I remembered my mother.
She had been gentle, patient, created a private holding agreement. But when Catherine married your father, the agreement became complicated.""
I remembered my mother.
She had been gentle, patient, and almost painfully private.
She'd loved gardening.
She'd played piano on Sunday afternoons.
She'd always told me and almost painfully private.
She'd loved gardening.
She'd played piano on Sunday afternoons.
She'd always told me that money was only useful when it made somebody else's life easier.
Nothing about her had suggested that she was connected that money was only useful when it made somebody else's life easier.
Nothing about her had suggested that she was connected to a powerful business family.
"Did she know about Victor's plans?""
Richard nodded.
"She knew enough to understand what he was trying to do.""
"Then why to a powerful business family.
"Did she know about Victor's plans?""
Richard nodded.
"She knew enough to understand what he was trying to do.""
"Then why didn't she tell me?""
"Because she was afraid.""
"Of Victor?""
"Of what he might do to you.""
I looked down didn't she tell me?""
"Because she was afraid.""
"Of Victor?""
"Of what he might do to you.""
I looked down.
My mother had died when I was fourteen.
A car accident, according to everything I'd been told.
A wet road.
A truck that.
My mother had died when I was fourteen.
A car accident, according to everything I'd been told.
A wet road.
A truck that crossed the center line.
A tragedy that had changed our family forever.
I swallowed.
"Richard, was my mother's death really an accident?""
He didn't answer.
That was enough.
I stood crossed the center line.
A tragedy that had changed our family forever.
I swallowed.
"Richard, was my mother's death really an accident?""
He didn't answer.
That was enough.
I stood abruptly.
"Tell me.""
Richard looked devastated.
"I don't know.""
"You just said you knew enough about my family abruptly.
"Tell me.""
Richard looked devastated.
"I don't know.""
"You just said you knew enough about my family to understand what Victor was doing.""
"I know your father investigated the accident.""
"And?""
"He hired a private investigator. He believed the to understand what Victor was doing.""
"I know your father investigated the accident.""
"And?""
"He hired a private investigator. He believed the truck driver had been paid to follow your mother that evening.""
My hands tightened.
"Paid truck driver had been paid to follow your mother that evening.""
My hands tightened.
"Paid by whom?""
"Victor.""
I stared at him.
"Did my father prove it?""
Richard shook his head.
"No. The driver died before the investigation was by whom?""
"Victor.""
I stared at him.
"Did my father prove it?""
Richard shook his head.
"No. The driver died before the investigation was completed.""
I walked to the window.
For twenty-six years, I'd remembered my mother as a woman who had died in a terrible accident.
Now I was being told that completed.""
I walked to the window.
For twenty-six years, I'd remembered my mother as a woman who had died in a terrible accident.
Now I was being told that the accident might have been arranged.
And the man potentially responsible had spent decades trying to reclaim something connected to my family.
My the accident might have been arranged.
And the man potentially responsible had spent decades trying to reclaim something connected to my family.
My phone vibrated.
A message from our security director.
*Savannah team has reached the property. The house is empty. Rear door phone vibrated.
A message from our security director.
Savannah team has reached the property. The house is empty. Rear door forced open.
I immediately called him.
"Any sign of Evelyn?""
"No, sir. Her vehicle is forced open.*
I immediately called him.
"Any sign of Evelyn?""
"No, sir. Her vehicle is still in the garage.""
"Check the surrounding properties.""
"Already underway.""
"Get local police involved. Nobody enters that house alone.""
"Understood.""
still in the garage.""
"Check the surrounding properties.""
"Already underway.""
"Get local police involved. Nobody enters that house alone.""
"Understood.""
I ended the call.
Emily was watching me.
"Sir, the federal agents have requested a meeting.""
"TellI ended the call.
Emily was watching me.
"Sir, the federal agents have requested a meeting.""
"Tell them everything we know.""
"Even the information about your mother?""
I looked at her.
"Especially that.""
At 5:40 them everything we know.""
"Even the information about your mother?""
I looked at her.
"Especially that.""
At 5:40 p.m., Agent Laura Bennett arrived at Reed Meridian headquarters with another investigator.
She listened without interrupting as I explained the family connection, p.m., Agent Laura Bennett arrived at Reed Meridian headquarters with another investigator.
She listened without interrupting as I explained the family connection, the missing aunt, and the suspicious history surrounding my mother's death.
When I finished, she opened a folder.
"Mr. Reed, there's the missing aunt, and the suspicious history surrounding my mother's death.
When I finished, she opened a folder.
"Mr. Reed, there's something we discovered while tracing the offshore transfer.""
She placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Alexander Hale leaving a private restaurant something we discovered while tracing the offshore transfer.""
She placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Alexander Hale leaving a private restaurant in Buckhead.
Beside him was Vanessa.
I studied the image.
"When was this taken?""
"Three weeks ago.""
"How long have in Buckhead.
Beside him was Vanessa.
I studied the image.
"When was this taken?""
"Three weeks ago.""
"How long have they been meeting?""
"We're still establishing that.""
Agent Bennett turned another page.
"We also found a payment from Northstar Capital Holdings to Whit they been meeting?""
"We're still establishing that.""
Agent Bennett turned another page.
"We also found a payment from Northstar Capital Holdings to Whitmore Strategic Events.""
"How much?""
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
I stared at the amount.
"What's the stated purpose?""
"Consulting services.""
"more Strategic Events.""
"How much?""
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
I stared at the amount.
"What's the stated purpose?""
"Consulting services.""
"Was anything delivered?""
"We haven't found evidence of that.""
I leaned back.
"Then Vanessa has been receiving money from Alexander.""
"Yes.""
"How much?""
"At least $680Was anything delivered?""
"We haven't found evidence of that.""
I leaned back.
"Then Vanessa has been receiving money from Alexander.""
"Yes.""
"How much?""
"At least $680,000 across several transactions.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Vanessa was smiling.
She looked relaxed.
Almost affectionate.
"Does Daniel know?""
Agent Bennett closed the folder.
"We don't know,000 across several transactions.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Vanessa was smiling.
She looked relaxed.
Almost affectionate.
"Does Daniel know?""
Agent Bennett closed the folder.
"We don't know.""
I thought about the phone call in the conference room.
Daniel had warned Vanessa about the property agreement.
He'd known enough.""
I thought about the phone call in the conference room.
Daniel had warned Vanessa about the property agreement.
He'd known enough to understand the danger.
But had he known about the money coming from Northstar?
"Agent Bennett, I have a question.""
"Go ahead.""
"If Alexander Hale is trying to to understand the danger.
But had he known about the money coming from Northstar?
"Agent Bennett, I have a question.""
"Go ahead.""
"If Alexander Hale is trying to recover ownership of Meridian Holdings, why does he need Vanessa?""
She exchanged a glance with her colleague.
"Because she may have access to something he cannot obtain recover ownership of Meridian Holdings, why does he need Vanessa?""
She exchanged a glance with her colleague.
"Because she may have access to something he cannot obtain through legal channels.""
"Such as?""
"Your family's private trust documents.""
I looked at her.
"My aunt has the original agreement.""
"Then we need to locate her before Alexander does.""
At 7: through legal channels.""
"Such as?""
"Your family's private trust documents.""
I looked at her.
"My aunt has the original agreement.""
"Then we need to locate her before Alexander does.""
At 7:12 p.m., my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered immediately.
"Marcus.""
A woman's frightened voice came through.
"Don't say my name.""
12 p.m., my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered immediately.
"Marcus.""
A woman's frightened voice came through.
"Don't say my name.""
"Aunt Evelyn?""
"Listen to me. I have the documents.""
"Where are you?""
"Somewhere safe.""
"Are you"Aunt Evelyn?""
"Listen to me. I have the documents.""
"Where are you?""
"Somewhere safe.""
"Are you hurt?""
"No. But you were right. They found my house.""
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Who?""
"I hurt?""
"No. But you were right. They found my house.""
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Who?""
"I don't know. Two men. They asked about your mother.""
"What did you tell them?""
"Nothing.""
"Where are the documents?""
She hesitated.
"Your don't know. Two men. They asked about your mother.""
"What did you tell them?""
"Nothing.""
"Where are the documents?""
She hesitated.
"Your mother left something for you.""
"What?""
"A letter. She wrote it shortly before she died.""
My mother left something for you.""
"What?""
"A letter. She wrote it shortly before she died.""
My throat tightened.
"Where is it?""
"With the original Meridian agreement.""
"Bring it to me.""
"I can't. Not yet.""
"Why?""
" throat tightened.
"Where is it?""
"With the original Meridian agreement.""
"Bring it to me.""
"I can't. Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because I need to know whether you can protect it.""
I glanced at Agent Bennett.
She was listening carefully.
"ABecause I need to know whether you can protect it.""
I glanced at Agent Bennett.
She was listening carefully.
"Aunt Evelyn, federal investigators are involved. You're not alone anymore.""
My aunt sighed.
"Then there's something else you need to know.""
"What?""
"Vanunt Evelyn, federal investigators are involved. You're not alone anymore.""
My aunt sighed.
"Then there's something else you need to know.""
"What?""
"Vanessa wasn't just working with Alexander.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who else?""
"Someone inside youressa wasn't just working with Alexander.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who else?""
"Someone inside your family.""
I looked at Richard.
He was standing near the conference room door.
"Who?""
My aunt whispered:
"Someone who attended your mother's funeral.""
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Then Emily's tablet chim family.""
I looked at Richard.
He was standing near the conference room door.
"Who?""
My aunt whispered:
"Someone who attended your mother's funeral.""
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Then Emily's tablet chimed.
She looked at the screen.
"Mr. Reed?""
"What?""
She turned it toward me.
An email had arrived from an anonymoused.
She looked at the screen.
"Mr. Reed?""
"What?""
She turned it toward me.
An email had arrived from an anonymous account.
The subject line read:
*YOUR MOTHER'S LAST WILL.*
There was one attachment.
A scanned document dated six days before my mother's death.
At the bottom was her signature.
And account.
The subject line read:
*YOUR MOTHER'S LAST WILL.*
There was one attachment.
A scanned document dated six days before my mother's death.
At the bottom was her signature.
And beside it was another name.
Alexander Hale.
May you like
beside it was another name.
Alexander Hale.
