Chapter 7: The Man Who Never Came Home
“Say that again,” I demanded.
Emily Hale was silent for several seconds.
Then she repeated herself.
“The man who boarded that plane wasn't my father.””
I looked at Jennifer, who had immediately started taking notes.
“What are you saying? That someone impersonated him?””
“Not exactly. My father had an identical twin brother.””
I frowned.
“Victor had a twin?””
“Yes. His name was Vincent. They were separated as children after their parents divorced. They barely spoke as adults, but my father contacted him shortly before disappearing.””
I leaned forward.
“Why?””
“Because my father believed Robert had stolen money from their company. He wanted Vincent to help him retrieve the original financial records.””
Jennifer interrupted.
“Ms. Hale, do you have documentation supporting this?””
“I have letters, photographs, and a recorded voicemail. I've spent eleven years collecting everything I could find.””
“Then we need to meet.””
Emily agreed to come to Jennifer's office that afternoon.
Before ending the call, she asked me something unexpected.
“Daniel, did your father ever tell you why he hated your grandfather?””
I thought about it.
“He said my grandfather favored his brothers.””
“That's what he told everyone?””
“Yes.””
Emily exhaled.
“Then he lied about that too.””
At 3:15 p.m., Emily entered the conference room carrying a battered leather handbag.
She was tall, with dark hair tied behind her head. Her eyes were tired, but her expression was determined.
She shook Jennifer's hand first.
Then mine.
“I'm sorry about your wife,” she said.
I frowned.
“How do you know about Claire?””
“Your sister posted something online.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
Emily showed me her phone.
Melissa had uploaded a photograph of herself outside the mansion.
The caption read:
Some people will destroy their own family because their wives can't handle being told no. Blood should always come first.
The comments were worse.
Several relatives had joined in, calling me ungrateful and accusing Claire of manipulating me.
I handed the phone back.
“Let's talk about your father.””
Emily nodded.
She removed three photographs from her bag.
The first showed two nearly identical men standing beside a boat.
The second showed one of them with my grandfather.
The third showed my father shaking hands with someone outside the mansion.
I studied the faces.
“Which one is Victor?””
Emily pointed.
“That's my father.””
“And the other?””
“Vincent.””
I looked at the third photograph.
“Who's standing with Dad?””
“Vincent.””
My stomach dropped.
“Why would Vincent be meeting my father?””
“Because he was supposed to help him retrieve the documents.””
Emily opened a small envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
She slid it across the table.
The letter was dated eleven years earlier.
*Emily, if anything happens to me, don't believe what Robert tells you. The house is not his. Your grandfather left instructions.
The records are in the basement. Vincent knows where to find them.*
I read it twice.
“Did you ever find Vincent?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Three years ago.””
Jennifer leaned forward.
“Where is he?””
Emily looked at me.
“Arizona.””
I felt my pulse quicken.
“Is he alive?””
“Yes.””
“Then why hasn't he come forward?””
Emily's expression changed.
“Because he believes your father will have him arrested for something he didn't do.””
“What?””
She hesitated.
“Your father accused Vincent of killing Victor.””
The room went silent.
Jennifer slowly closed the folder in front of her.
“Does Vincent have evidence that he was framed?””
Emily nodded.
“He has a photograph taken the morning after Victor disappeared.””
“Of what?””
“A bank transfer.””
She placed another document on the table.
The amount was $480,000.
The receiving account belonged to a company registered under Melissa's name.
I stared at it.
“That's the same transfer Marcus found.””
Emily nodded.
“My father believed that money belonged to the employees of your grandfather's company. Robert moved it before the business collapsed.””
“And my mother authorized the transfer.””
“Yes.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why did Melissa's name appear on the account?””
“Because she was young enough that nobody would suspect her. And because your father believed she would never challenge him.””
That sounded exactly like my father.
Jennifer picked up the document.
“Emily, can we contact Vincent?””
“Yes. But he has one condition.””
“What?””
“He wants to speak to Daniel alone.””
I frowned.
“Why me?””
Emily looked directly at me.
“Because he says your grandfather left something specifically for you.””
At 5:40 p.m., I received a call from an Arizona number.
“Daniel?””
The voice was older, slightly rough.
“This is Vincent Hale.””
I sat down.
“Emily told me about you.””
“Then she probably told you enough to make you suspicious.””
“I have questions.””
“So do I.””
He paused.
“Your grandfather trusted your father once. That's why he gave him control of the company. Robert used that trust to take everything.””
“What does that have to do with me?””
“Your grandfather knew what was happening before he died. He left a letter for you.””
I stared at the table.
“Where is it?””
“With me.””
“Why haven't you sent it?””
“Because I wanted to know whether you were anything like your father.””
I almost laughed.
“My father thinks I'm a traitor because I put his house up for sale.””
“Good.””
“Good?””
“Maybe someone finally forced him to face consequences.””
I leaned back.
“What happened to Victor?””
Vincent went quiet.
Then he answered.
“I helped him disappear.””
I froze.
“You helped him?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because your father had threatened his family. Victor was afraid Robert would hurt Emily if he went to the police.””
“Is Victor alive?””
A long silence followed.
Then Vincent said:
“Yes.””
My heart began pounding.
“Where is he?””
“I won't tell you until I know you're prepared for what comes next.””
“What comes next?””
Vincent's voice dropped.
“Your father didn't just steal the company money. He stole something from your grandfather that was worth considerably more.””
“What?””
“The original family trust.””
I looked at Jennifer.
She had stopped typing.
Vincent continued.
“Your grandfather left the mansion, the company records, and a substantial investment portfolio in trust for his grandchildren. Your father destroyed the first will and replaced it with another.””
I felt sick.
“Then why was the house transferred to me?””
“Because Robert needed you to rescue it. He believed he could use your money to clear the debts while keeping the original trust hidden.””
“And Melissa?””
“She was supposed to be his next move.””
I closed my eyes.
“What does that mean?””
Vincent's reply was chilling.
“Your father planned to use her as the public beneficiary of the house, while secretly retaining control of everything.””
I thought about the forged agreement.
The witness signature.
The threatening messages.
Then Vincent said:
“Daniel, your father knows I've spoken to you. He's already trying to find me.””
“How do you know?””
“Because someone just knocked on my front door.””
The call ended.
I immediately called him back.
No answer.
Jennifer contacted Marcus.
Within minutes, they were arranging a welfare check.
Then another message appeared on my phone.
It was from Melissa.
*Daniel, Dad says he's going to make sure you lose everything. You need to come home tonight. There's something you don't know about Claire.*
I stared at the final sentence.
My wife.
May you like
What did my father know about Claire?
And why was my sister suddenly using her name to get me back to the mansion?
