Chapter 7: The Brother Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Helen dropped the photograph.
It landed faceup on the kitchen floor.
For several seconds, she couldn't move.
Marcus bent down and picked it up.
"Mrs. Brooks, you said Robert never had a brother.""
Helen stared at the man in the photograph.
"He did.""
Daniel exchanged a look with Marcus.
"Then why did you say he was dead?""
"Because Robert told me he was.""
Her voice was barely audible.
Ray pulled a chair away from the table.
"What's his name?""
"Samuel.""
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
"Samuel Brooks?""
Helen nodded.
"He was Robert's older brother. They grew up together on this farm. They worked together, fought together, and eventually built their lives around motorcycles.""
"What happened to him?"" Ethan asked.
Helen sat down.
"Twenty years ago, Samuel disappeared. Robert told everyone his brother had died in a motorcycle accident in Georgia. There was a funeral, but I never saw a body.""
Marcus looked up.
"A funeral without a body?""
Helen nodded.
"Robert said the remains were too badly damaged to identify.""
Daniel leaned against the kitchen counter.
"Did you believe him?""
"I didn't have a reason not to.""
Helen rubbed her hands together.
"Robert was devastated. For months, he barely spoke. Then one day, he told me Samuel had made mistakes and that we needed to stop asking questions.""
Marcus looked at the photograph.
The man standing beside James Reed appeared to be in his sixties.
He looked healthy.
And very much alive.
"How old would Samuel be now?"" Marcus asked.
"Seventy-nine.""
Ray studied the image.
"That's about right.""
Travis was standing near the hallway.
He hadn't said a word since showing them the photograph.
Marcus turned toward him.
"How did you get this?""
"Richard gave it to me.""
"When?""
"Three weeks ago.""
"And you didn't think to tell your mother?""
Travis shook his head.
"He told me not to.""
Helen looked at her son.
"Why would Richard have a photograph of Samuel?""
Travis hesitated.
"Because Samuel is the person who helped him.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Helped him do what?""
"Get access to the partnership records. Find the original agreement. Everything.""
Ethan opened his notebook.
"Where is Samuel now?""
Travis looked at Helen.
"I don't know.""
Marcus held up the photograph.
"Someone wrote that she knows where he is.""
Travis shook his head.
"Richard said your mother would understand.""
Helen's face tightened.
"That's a lie.""
She stood abruptly and walked toward the living room.
Marcus followed.
She stopped in front of Robert's photograph above the fireplace.
Her fingers touched the wooden frame.
"Robert left me a letter before he died," she whispered.
Marcus turned.
"What letter?""
Helen removed the photograph from the wall.
Behind it was a narrow envelope taped to the back.
The paper had yellowed around the edges.
On the front, Robert had written:
*FOR HELEN. IF SAMUEL EVER RETURNS.*
Helen stared at it.
"I've never opened this.""
Marcus carefully removed the envelope.
"Why not?""
"Because Robert told me it was only to be opened if his brother came back.""
She took a deep breath.
"Until today, I thought it would never matter.""
She broke the seal.
Inside was a single page.
Helen,
If you're reading this, then Samuel has returned, or someone is using his name to frighten you.
I need you to remember something. Samuel was not killed in Georgia. I told you that because I believed it was the only way to protect you.
He was involved with Richard long before I understood what they were doing. When I discovered the stolen motorcycles and the forged partnership records, Samuel helped Richard disappear with several important documents.
I confronted my brother. He swore he would make things right. I gave him one chance.
He never took it.
But there is something you must know. Samuel did not take the original agreement. He took something far more dangerous.
Helen stopped reading.
Her hands trembled.
Marcus took the letter gently.
He continued.
He took the key to the place where we kept the truth about Richard's money.
If Samuel returns, do not trust him simply because he is family.
And do not let him near the barn.
The letter ended with Robert's signature.
Helen sat down slowly.
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"That explains why Richard wants the motorcycle.""
"But not why he needs Samuel," Ethan replied.
Ray pointed at the photograph.
"Maybe Samuel has the key.""
Travis suddenly spoke.
"He does.""
Everyone turned.
"What?"" Marcus asked.
Travis looked frightened.
"Richard showed me another photograph. Samuel was wearing a chain around his neck. There was a small brass key hanging from it.""
Marcus looked at the wooden box.
The brass key was still on the workbench.
"Then what key did we find?""
Helen whispered:
"Robert's key.""
A knock sounded at the front door.
Three slow knocks.
Everyone froze.
Daniel moved toward the entrance.
Marcus followed.
Through the window, he saw a woman standing on the porch.
She was in her late sixties, wearing a faded blue coat and holding a white envelope.
Daniel opened the door.
"Can we help you?""
The woman looked past him.
Her eyes found Helen.
"Mrs. Brooks?""
Helen stood.
"Yes?""
"My name is Margaret. I was married to Samuel.""
The room became completely silent.
Helen stared at her.
"You're his wife?""
Margaret nodded.
"Or I was, depending on what you believe.""
She placed the envelope on the table.
Inside was a recent photograph.
Samuel Brooks stood outside a convenience store.
The date printed at the bottom was from the previous week.
Helen covered her mouth.
"He really is alive.""
Margaret nodded.
"Yes. And he wants to see you.""
Marcus examined the photograph.
"Where is he?""
Margaret looked toward the window.
"That's why I'm here.""
She lowered her voice.
"Because he told me that if Richard Voss came back to this farm, I should bring you a message.""
"What message?"" Helen asked.
Margaret swallowed.
"Your husband didn't die because of an accident.""
May you like
She looked directly at Marcus.
"Someone cut his brake line.""
