Chapter 4: The Fifth Man in the Photograph
Marcus stood in the gravel driveway, his phone pressed against his ear.
For several seconds, he couldn't find his voice.
"The fifth man?"" he finally asked.
Samuel Whitaker answered immediately.
"Yes. His name is Richard Voss. He was Robert's business partner before the farm became what it is today.""
Marcus looked toward the barn.
"Why would he want to destroy Helen's family?""
"Because Robert discovered something Richard had been hiding for nearly thirty years.""
"What?""
The lawyer hesitated.
"That's something I need to explain in person. But listen carefully, Marcus. Do not let anyone remove that motorcycle.
Do not give Gregory Vale another document. And whatever you do, don't tell Travis that you've found the original agreement.""
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"How do you know about the motorcycle?""
"Because I was there when Robert signed the final papers.""
"Then why didn't you protect Helen?""
The silence on the other end lasted several seconds.
"I tried.""
Before Marcus could ask another question, the call ended.
He lowered the phone.
Behind him, Daniel was standing near the barn entrance. The stranger who had run into the trees was nowhere to be seen.
"Who was that?"" Daniel asked.
"Samuel Whitaker. Robert's attorney.""
"What did he say?""
Marcus glanced at the motorcycle.
"Apparently, Robert left it to us.""
Daniel laughed once.
"Us?""
"The four men in the photograph.""
Ray appeared behind them.
"That's the strangest inheritance I've ever heard of.""
Marcus shook his head.
"There's more. Robert said there was a fifth man in the original photograph. His name is Richard Voss.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Richard Voss?""
"You know him?""
Daniel looked toward Helen.
"I remember the name. My father mentioned him once. He said Robert had trusted the wrong man.""
Helen stepped outside.
"Richard Voss was here when Robert was alive. He came to the farm several times.""
"Did you know he was involved in the estate?"" Marcus asked.
"No. Robert stopped seeing him years ago.""
Ethan joined them, carrying the suspicious auction documents.
"Something's happening at the gate.""
A black luxury sedan had stopped beside the white delivery truck.
A man in his late sixties stepped out.
He wore a charcoal suit, polished shoes, and a silver watch. His white hair was neatly combed, and he carried himself like someone accustomed to having people move out of his way.
He didn't look toward the bikers.
He looked directly at Helen.
"Mrs. Brooks," he called.
"We need to discuss your situation.""
Helen went completely still.
Marcus noticed.
"Is that him?""
She nodded.
"Richard Voss.""
The man approached slowly.
"Travis told me there had been some confusion.""
Helen stepped behind Daniel.
"This is my home, Richard.""
Richard smiled.
"Of course it is.""
"Then why are you trying to sell it?""
"Because your husband made arrangements before he passed.""
"He told me nothing about selling the farm.""
Richard sighed theatrically.
"Robert wasn't always comfortable discussing financial matters with you.""
Helen's eyes flashed.
"Robert told me everything.""
"Apparently not.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mr. Voss, do you have documentation authorizing this auction?""
Richard looked at him.
"And you are?""
"Someone asking a simple question.""
"Then perhaps you should mind your own business.""
Daniel gave a humorless laugh.
"That's becoming a popular response today.""
Richard adjusted his cuff.
"I have no intention of arguing with strangers on private property.""
"It's not your property," Helen replied.
Richard turned toward her.
"Your husband understood that this arrangement was necessary.""
"What arrangement?""
He looked briefly toward the Harley.
Then he looked away.
That small movement caught Marcus's attention.
Richard knew something about the motorcycle.
"What's inside it?"" Marcus asked.
Richard's expression hardened.
"Excuse me?""
"You heard me.""
"That motorcycle is an old piece of machinery. It has no relevance to this conversation.""
"Then you won't mind us examining it.""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Actually, I do.""
The silence that followed was revealing.
Ray folded his arms.
"Interesting.""
Richard turned toward the delivery men.
"Remove the motorcycle. We have an agreement.""
Ethan stepped between them.
"There's a legal dispute over the authorization. Nobody is moving anything until the owner receives independent legal advice.""
Richard took a step toward him.
"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?""
Ethan didn't move.
"Someone who seems very interested in taking a seventy-six-year-old woman's belongings.""
For the first time, Richard's polished composure cracked.
He reached into his jacket and removed his phone.
"Travis," he said when the call connected.
"Get here. Now.""
Then he looked at Helen.
"Your son has already made his decision. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.""
Helen's voice was quiet.
"My son has been making decisions for me since the day Robert died. I'm finished letting him.""
Richard stared at her.
Then he turned toward the black sedan.
"Enjoy your little victory.""
He opened the door.
Before getting inside, he looked directly at Marcus.
"Tell James Reed's boy that some debts should stay buried.""
Marcus felt the words like a punch.
Richard drove away.
Daniel watched the sedan disappear.
"Well, that was a threat.""
Marcus looked at the photograph.
His father's name was written beside Robert's.
And now a stranger was telling him to leave old debts buried.
A few minutes later, Travis's SUV came flying down the driveway.
He jumped out before the vehicle had fully stopped.
"What did you do?""
Helen stood near the barn.
"Nothing.""
"Richard just called me. He said you refused to cooperate.""
"I refused to let strangers steal my husband's things.""
Travis pointed at Marcus.
"You have no idea what you're interfering with.""
Marcus approached him.
"Then explain it.""
Travis laughed bitterly.
"You want an explanation? Fine. My father made promises he couldn't keep. He dragged this family into something that should have ended decades ago.""
Helen stared at him.
"What promises?""
Travis looked at her.
For a moment, he seemed almost frightened.
Then he shook his head.
"Forget it.""
He turned toward his truck.
Marcus stepped forward.
"Travis.""
The younger man stopped.
"Your father left a letter addressed to James Reed. We're going to find out what happened.""
Travis slowly turned around.
His face had lost its color.
"Where did you find that letter?""
Marcus didn't answer.
Travis stared at him for several seconds.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"Please tell me you haven't opened the second envelope.""
