Chapter 10: The Friend Who Carried the Darkest Secret
I replayed the recording three times.
Then five.
Then I stopped counting.
Every time, the same words hit me harder.
“Arthur, if Daniel ever finds out what we did…”
That voice.
That voice belonged to Michael Hayes.
My father’s closest friend.
The man who stood beside him at my mother’s funeral.
The man who brought groceries to our house when I was a child.
The man who taught me how to throw a baseball.
The man I called Uncle Mike.
My hands shook as I stared at the phone.
“No.””
The word came out quietly.
Because sometimes your mind rejects the truth before your heart can handle it.
Claire sat across from me.
“Daniel…”
“No.””
I looked at her.
“There has to be another explanation.””
She didn’t argue.
She didn’t need to.
Because she understood something I was only beginning to accept.
The people closest to you are the ones who can hurt you the most.
I drove to my father’s house immediately.
I didn’t call.
I didn’t warn him.
I needed to see his face.
I needed to know if he was surprised.
If he was confused.
If he already knew.
My father was sitting outside when I arrived.
Exactly where he always sat.
A cup of coffee beside him.
A newspaper in his hands.
A peaceful image.
Almost too peaceful.
He looked up.
“Daniel?””
I walked toward him.
“Who is Michael Hayes?””
The change in his expression was instant.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Fear.
And that told me everything.
My chest tightened.
“You know.””
My father slowly stood.
“Where did you hear that name?””
I held up my phone.
“Answer me.””
He looked at the recording.
His face became pale.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he whispered:
“I was hoping you would never hear that.””
The sentence felt like a punch.
“You knew?””
My father closed his eyes.
“Daniel…”
“No.””
My voice cracked.
“You don’t get to protect me anymore.””
He looked hurt.
But I continued.
“Not after this.””
We sat inside the house.
The same living room where my father raised me.
But suddenly, it felt like I was sitting in a stranger’s home.
“Tell me the truth.””
My father stared at the floor.
“Michael was my best friend.””
“I know.””
“He helped me build Bennett Holdings.””
“I know.””
“He was like a brother.””
My voice became colder.
“Then why is he on a recording talking about hiding something about Mom’s death?””
My father didn’t answer.
And that silence was destroying me.
Finally, he spoke.
“Because he was involved.””
My heart stopped.
“Involved how?””
My father looked older than I had ever seen him.
“Michael wasn’t supposed to be involved in the company.””
“What does that mean?””
“He was my partner before Bennett Holdings became what it is today.””
I frowned.
“But you said you built it with Mom.””
“We did.””
He paused.
“But Michael helped us in the beginning.””
I waited.
“He knew about the investigation into Diane.””
My fists tightened.
“And?””
“He helped hide information.””
The room went silent.
I stood.
“He helped her?””
“No.””
My father looked at me.
“He helped me.””
That answer confused me.
“What?””
My father took a deep breath.
“Michael discovered Diane’s involvement before your mother died.””
“Then why didn’t he expose her?””
“Because he was afraid.””
“Of what?””
My father looked away.
“Of me.””
The truth came out slowly.
Painfully.
Years ago, after my mother discovered Diane’s financial crimes, she wanted to report everything.
My father agreed.
But Michael warned them.
He told them Diane had connections.
Powerful connections.
People who could destroy them.
“He convinced us to wait,” my father said.
“Wait?””
“He said he could gather enough evidence to make sure Diane couldn’t escape.””
I stared at him.
“And then Mom died.””
My father nodded.
“Yes.””
My stomach turned.
“So Michael failed.””
My father looked down.
“Maybe.””
That one word bothered me.
“Maybe?””
My father sighed.
“Because after the accident, Michael changed.””
“How?””
“He became obsessed with protecting the company.””
I understood immediately.
“The company.””
My father nodded.
“He stopped talking about justice.””
“He started talking about survival.””
I found Michael that same afternoon.
I didn’t tell my father.
I needed answers from the source.
Michael lived in a quiet neighborhood outside the city.
A normal house.
A normal life.
A life built on a secret.
When he opened the door, his smile disappeared.
“Daniel.””
I didn’t say hello.
“You knew.””
His face changed.
“I wondered when this day would come.””
That answer made my blood run cold.
“You were waiting?””
“No.””
He stepped back.
“I was afraid.””
“Good.””
My voice was sharp.
“You should be.””
Michael looked at me sadly.
“You think I wanted this?””
“I think you let my mother die.””
The words hurt him.
I saw it.
But I didn’t care.
“My mother trusted you.””
“I know.””
“You were my father’s best friend.””
“I know.””
“Then why?””
Michael looked away.
“Because I made the worst decision of my life.””
He invited me inside.
I almost refused.
But I needed the truth.
He sat across from me.
“I should have told Arthur everything immediately.””
“What didn’t you tell him?””
Michael looked at his hands.
“Your mother wasn’t the only person investigating Diane.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Someone else was helping her.””
“Who?””
Michael looked at me.
“The person who changed the accident report.””
My heart raced.
“Who?””
He hesitated.
Then said:
“Someone inside Bennett Holdings.””
I stared at him.
“Who?””
Michael closed his eyes.
“Your father.””
The room went silent.
I stood immediately.
“No.””
“Daniel—”
“No.””
I backed away.
“You don’t get to do this.””
“I’m telling you the truth.””
“My father spent his life protecting me.””
“I know.””
“He would never hurt my mother.””
Michael looked at me.
“He didn’t.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He didn’t cause the accident.””
“Then why did you say—”
“Because Arthur hid something after it happened.””
My anger turned into confusion.
“What?””
Michael looked at me.
“Your father discovered who caused the accident.””
My voice became quiet.
May you like
“And?””
“He made a deal.””
