Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew the Truth
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
The words seemed to settle over the room like dust.
Helen gripped the back of a chair.
"You're saying Robert was murdered?""
Margaret nodded slowly.
"That's what Samuel believes.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Does he have proof?""
"Not enough to go to the police. But he has something.""
Marcus looked at the photograph of Samuel.
"Why hasn't he come himself?""
Margaret lowered her eyes.
"Because he's afraid.""
Ray gave a short, bitter laugh.
"After twenty years of hiding, he's afraid now?""
Margaret didn't react.
"Richard has people watching him. Samuel says he can't risk being seen near this farm.""
Marcus folded his arms.
"Then why should we trust you?""
Margaret looked at him.
"Because I spent twenty years watching my husband destroy himself over what happened here.""
She opened her purse and removed another envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Robert's Harley.
But this photograph had been taken in the barn only six months earlier.
A small section of the motorcycle's rear frame had been removed.
Marcus studied it.
"Who took this?""
"Samuel.""
"Why?""
"Because he wanted to see whether Robert's original hiding place had been disturbed.""
Ray looked at the image.
"The compartment.""
Margaret nodded.
"He told me the motorcycle was never meant to contain the original agreement. Robert used it to hide a different piece of evidence.""
Ethan leaned forward.
"What evidence?""
Margaret reached into her purse again.
This time she removed a small plastic bag.
Inside was a rusted metal fragment.
Marcus frowned.
"What's that?""
"A piece of Robert's brake assembly.""
Helen gasped.
Margaret placed it on the table.
"Samuel recovered it from the old service station. He says it was removed from the truck before the police examined the wreck.""
Daniel looked at the fragment.
"How could he know that?""
"Because he helped remove it.""
Helen took a step backward.
"Samuel helped?""
Margaret nodded.
"He was there that night.""
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
"With my father.""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
Margaret took a deep breath.
"Because James Reed had discovered that Richard was stealing from the partnership. Robert was preparing to expose him. Samuel was working with Richard at the time.""
Travis lowered his head.
"That's what Richard told me.""
Margaret turned toward him.
"Your uncle wanted to stop Robert from talking. But something went wrong.""
Helen's voice broke.
"What happened?""
Margaret looked at the old woman.
"Samuel says Richard arranged to sabotage Robert's truck. He thought the crash would look accidental.""
Helen closed her eyes.
For fifty-one years, she had slept beside a man she believed had died in an unfortunate accident.
Now a stranger was telling her that someone had deliberately taken him away.
"Why didn't Samuel go to the police?"" Marcus demanded.
Margaret looked at him.
"Because he was the one who helped Richard.""
Silence.
"He was afraid he'd be charged too. He says he tried to stop Richard, but by then it was too late.""
Daniel shook his head.
"That's convenient.""
"I know.""
Margaret reached into the envelope and removed a handwritten note.
"This is why he wants to meet you.""
Marcus took it.
The note was short.
Marcus,
Your father didn't die believing Richard was innocent. He died trying to make sure you would never have to pay for what he did.
There is a recording. It contains Robert's final conversation with Richard.
The recording is hidden where the old bridge meets the creek.
Come alone.
Samuel.
Marcus read it twice.
"Come alone?""
Margaret nodded.
"He doesn't trust anyone.""
"Then he doesn't know me very well," Marcus replied.
Daniel put a hand on his shoulder.
"You're not going alone.""
Marcus shook his head.
"I'm not risking any of you.""
Ray laughed.
"That's adorable.""
Ethan picked up the note.
"The message might be a trap. We should contact the sheriff and have the area checked.""
Margaret looked worried.
"Samuel specifically said not to involve the police until you hear the recording.""
"Why?""
"Because he believes someone inside the sheriff's office has been helping Richard.""
Marcus studied her.
"Does he have a name?""
Margaret shook her head.
"Only a badge number.""
Ethan looked up.
"Which one?""
Margaret reached into her purse and removed a small piece of paper.
The number was written in black ink.
*417.*
Daniel frowned.
"That belongs to Deputy Carl Benson.""
Helen looked toward the window.
"He's been coming here.""
Marcus turned.
"When?""
"Several times since Robert died. He always asked whether I'd found any old documents.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Did you tell him about the wooden box?""
"No.""
"Good.""
Marcus looked at the others.
"We need to get to Miller's Creek.""
Ray shook his head.
"Not until we know who we're dealing with.""
Travis suddenly stepped forward.
"I can help.""
Helen looked at him.
"You've helped enough.""
"Mom—"
"You sold your father's tools. You took money from Richard. You brought a man into this house who forged my signature.""
Travis's face crumpled.
"I know.""
"Then why should I believe you now?""
He looked at the floor.
"Because I know where Richard keeps the rest of the papers.""
Marcus studied him.
"Where?""
"His office. At the old warehouse.""
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"You've been there?""
"Yes. I delivered some documents last week.""
"What did you see?""
Travis swallowed.
"A safe. And a wall full of photographs.""
"What photographs?""
"People. Old employees. Business partners. Police officers.""
Daniel exchanged a look with Marcus.
"Sounds like a collection of leverage.""
Travis nodded.
"Richard keeps files on everyone.""
Marcus looked toward Helen.
"Can you stay here with Margaret and Ray?""
Helen nodded reluctantly.
Ray reached for his keys.
"I'll stay.""
Daniel turned toward Travis.
"You're coming with us.""
Travis looked frightened.
"To the warehouse?""
"Unless you'd rather explain everything to the police.""
Travis nodded.
Marcus picked up Robert's letter and slipped it into his jacket.
As they walked toward the motorcycles, Margaret called after him.
"Marcus!""
He turned.
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"There's something else Samuel asked me to tell you.""
"What?""
Margaret hesitated.
"He says the man in the photograph beside your father wasn't just Robert's brother.""
Marcus frowned.
"Then who was he?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"He was the man who raised you.""
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
"That's impossible.""
"Your father knew the truth. He never told you because he promised Robert he wouldn't.""
Marcus stared at her.
May you like
Margaret continued.
"Samuel says your real father is still alive.""
