Chapter 14: The Woman Behind Everything
I had spent the entire day discovering that everyone I trusted had been hiding something.
My father had ordered my mother's murder.
Samuel had shot my father.
Victor had helped cover up the truth.
Darius had concealed his father's involvement.
And now Judge Elaine Brooks, the woman who had supposedly protected our family through every legal battle, was holding my nephew.
But the worst part was that Malik had known.
He had known the truth about Elaine before his supposed death.
"Where are you?"" I shouted into the phone.
"Near the estate.""
"Are you with Trey?""
A pause.
"Not yet.""
"Then tell me where you are!""
"Andre, I need you to listen. Elaine has been manipulating everyone since before Dad died.""
I looked at Darius.
He was already heading toward the door.
Malik continued.
"She was the attorney who handled Dad's business documents. She knew about the trust, the property, and the money. When Dad wanted to expose Marcus and Samuel, she warned them.""
I felt sick.
"Why would she help them?""
"Because she was stealing from the trust. Dad discovered it and threatened to report her.""
"And Mom?""
"Mom found the missing money. Elaine arranged for her to be silenced.""
My hands tightened around the phone.
"Did Dad know?""
"Not until it was too late.""
I stopped.
"Malik, did Dad order the attack?""
My brother was silent.
Then he answered.
"Yes. But he didn't know Elaine planned to have Mom killed. He thought he was authorizing a warning. By the time he understood what had happened, Samuel had already shot him.""
The truth was uglier than I had imagined.
My father had helped create the danger that destroyed our family, even if he hadn't intended every consequence.
"Where are you?""
"There's an old chapel near the estate. I'll meet you there.""
The call ended.
We drove toward the address in silence.
Darius drove.
I sat beside him while Renee followed in another vehicle with Denise and Jordan.
When we reached the estate, police vehicles were parked several streets away.
An officer approached our car.
"Sir, you can't go any farther.""
I showed him the photograph of Trey.
"That's my nephew.""
He examined it.
"We have officers searching the property.""
"Then let me help.""
He shook his head.
"We're not allowing civilians inside.""
Darius leaned toward the window.
"Tell your supervisor Elaine Brooks is involved.""
The officer's expression changed.
He spoke into his radio.
A moment later, another officer approached.
"Come with me.""
We were escorted through a side entrance.
The estate was an old mansion surrounded by trees. Several windows were boarded up, and the front door hung slightly open.
Inside, we found Samuel sitting in a chair.
His hands were tied.
A cut ran across his forehead.
He looked up when we entered.
"You're late.""
I approached him.
"Where's Trey?""
Samuel smiled weakly.
"Elaine took him downstairs.""
"Where?""
He pointed toward a narrow staircase.
Darius grabbed his collar.
"Why did you help her?""
Samuel looked at him.
"Because I thought she could get me what I wanted.""
"What did you want?""
"Control.""
Darius released him.
I started toward the staircase.
Samuel called after me.
"Andre!""
I turned.
He looked different now. Smaller. Older.
"Your father wasn't the only one who betrayed your mother.""
I stared at him.
Samuel continued.
"Elaine told me your mother had discovered everything. But she also told me Evelyn was planning to hand over the evidence to the police. I believed her.""
"And you killed my father.""
Samuel lowered his eyes.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because Raymond was going to expose me.""
I wanted to strike him.
Instead, I turned away.
Darius followed me down the stairs.
At the bottom was a long corridor.
A single light glowed beneath a metal door.
We heard Trey crying.
I rushed forward.
"TRAY!""
A gunshot exploded.
I dropped to the floor.
Darius pulled me behind a concrete pillar.
The door opened.
Elaine emerged holding a pistol.
Trey stood behind her, his hands tied.
"Stop right there," she ordered.
I slowly stood.
"Let him go.""
Elaine shook her head.
"You people never understand what it takes to protect something valuable.""
"He's a child.""
"He's the beneficiary of a trust worth millions. His father should have kept him out of this.""
I stepped closer.
"You're not leaving with him.""
Elaine pointed the weapon at Trey.
"Don't test me.""
Darius raised his hands.
"Elaine, you can still walk away.""
She laughed.
"After everything I've done?""
"Nobody has to die.""
She looked at him.
"You sound just like Malik.""
Then she revealed something that made me freeze.
"Your brother was supposed to die in that hospital. I paid the doctor. I arranged the paperwork. But somebody switched the medication before it reached his room.""
I stared at her.
"Who?""
Elaine smiled.
"Darius.""
I turned.
Darius looked at me.
"Malik asked me to switch the medication. He wanted Elaine to believe he was dead.""
Elaine's face twisted.
"I should have known.""
She pulled Trey closer.
"Now give me the recording.""
I reached inside my jacket and removed the small device.
"Here.""
Darius shook his head.
"Andre, don't.""
Elaine smiled.
"Put it on the floor.""
I lowered it carefully.
She motioned toward it.
"Kick it over.""
I did.
Elaine bent to pick it up.
That was when Trey moved.
He stamped on her foot and twisted away.
Darius rushed forward.
The gun fired.
A bullet struck the wall.
I grabbed Trey and pulled him behind me.
Elaine stumbled backward.
Darius knocked the weapon from her hand.
She fell against the corridor wall.
For a moment, I thought it was over.
Then Elaine reached into her pocket and pulled out a small detonator.
Her thumb hovered over the button.
"Nobody moves!""
Darius froze.
I held Trey against my chest.
Elaine began laughing.
"You think arresting me changes anything? The documents are already gone. The trust belongs to me.""
A voice came from the staircase.
"No, it doesn't.""
My mother stepped into the corridor.
She was holding a folder.
Elaine's smile disappeared.
Evelyn Carter approached slowly.
"Hello, Elaine.""
Elaine stared at her.
"You're supposed to be dead.""
My mother shook her head.
"You should have checked.""
She opened the folder.
Inside were original financial records, signed statements, and copies of every transfer Elaine had made from the family trust.
My mother looked directly at her.
"Raymond made terrible choices. But you turned those choices into a business.""
Elaine's thumb tightened around the detonator.
Then the officers rushed forward.
Darius pushed Trey behind me.
The detonator fell.
The police restrained Elaine before she could reach it.
For the first time in twenty years, the people who had destroyed our family were finally being taken into custody.
But as the officers led Elaine away, she looked at me and smiled.
"You still don't know where Malik is, do you?""
I froze.
My mother turned toward me.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"Andre, there's something else. Malik never intended to come back from this.""
