Chapter 8: The Attorney Who Knew Too Much
James Whitmore's office was located downtown in an old brick building.
Nothing about it looked dramatic.
No huge signs.
No impressive entrance.
Just a quiet building where people went when they needed someone to handle difficult truths.
I sat in the waiting room for fifteen minutes before he appeared.
An older man with silver hair and tired eyes.
The moment he saw me, his expression changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
"You look like your father.""
The words immediately caught me off guard.
"You knew him.""
He nodded.
"Very well.""
I stood.
"Did you prepare documents for him before he died?""
His expression became careful.
"I wondered when this conversation would happen.""
That answer bothered me.
Because it meant he had been waiting.
"You knew my mother hid everything.""
He sighed.
"Your father asked me to make sure his wishes were respected.""
"And were they?""
Silence.
"No.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"Because after your father's death, your mother challenged the arrangement.""
"She challenged her husband's final wishes?""
"Yes.""
I felt anger rising.
"What happened?""
"Your mother claimed Marcus had abandoned the family.""
I shook my head.
"That's not true.""
"I know.""
The simple honesty surprised me.
"You knew?""
"Your father told me everything.""
I sat down.
"Then why didn't anyone tell me?""
James looked at the floor.
"Because your mother was persuasive.""
I almost laughed.
That was the nicest word anyone had ever used to describe her control.
"Persuasive?""
"She convinced people that revealing the truth would destroy you.""
I looked at him.
"And did you believe her?""
He hesitated.
"At first.""
That answer hurt.
"But then?""
"Then I realized the person being protected was not you.""
I leaned forward.
"Who was being protected?""
His eyes met mine.
"Your mother.""
The room became quiet.
I looked around the office.
Every file.
Every document.
Every secret.
People came here because they wanted the truth preserved.
My mother had come here to bury it.
"What are my options?""
James opened a drawer.
He pulled out a folder.
My name was on it.
Inside were copies of documents.
Property agreements.
Letters.
Legal records.
Everything.
"The original documents were signed by your father.""
"And Marcus?""
"He was included.""
I looked through the papers.
Two names.
Two sons.
Equal ownership.
My father had planned everything.
He hadn't forgotten anyone.
Someone else had erased them.
"Why did my mother bring Simone into this?""
James looked surprised.
"She brought Simone?""
"Yes.""
His expression changed.
"Then she is moving faster than I expected.""
"What does that mean?""
James leaned back.
"Your mother knows the legal situation is becoming unstable.""
"Because Marcus is back.""
"Exactly.""
I looked at the documents.
"So she wants to sell before we can stop her.""
"That would be my concern.""
I stood.
"Can she?""
"Not without complications.""
"But she can try.""
"Yes.""
I thought about the birthday party.
The guests.
The terrace.
The cake.
The handbag.
A carefully planned event interrupted by one accident.
My daughter had unknowingly disrupted a deal.
"Simone knew Marcus existed.""
"Yes.""
"How?""
James looked at me.
"Because your mother hired her.""
The words hit me.
"To find him?""
"To negotiate with him.""
I frowned.
"Negotiate?""
James nodded.
"Your mother wanted him to sign away his rights.""
My stomach tightened.
"And if he refused?""
James didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
I understood.
The pressure.
The money.
The manipulation.
My mother wasn't trying to repair the family.
She was trying to remove the problem.
My phone rang.
I looked down.
Unknown number.
Again.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice.
Simone.
"Darnell.""
My body went still.
"How did you get my number?""
"That isn't important.""
"Then what is?""
Her voice became softer.
"I think you deserve to know the truth before your mother destroys everything.""
I almost laughed.
"You expect me to trust you?""
"No.""
A pause.
"I expect you to listen.""
I said nothing.
"Darnell, your mother isn't the only person who has been hiding something.""
My grip tightened.
"What are you talking about?""
"Your father left another document.""
My eyes narrowed.
"Where?""
"I don't know.""
"Then why are you calling?""
"Because Loretta does.""
Silence.
Then Simone said:
"And she's willing to do anything to make sure you never see it.""
The call ended.
I looked at James.
He had heard enough from my expression.
"What happened?""
I stood.
"My mother has another secret.""
James looked worried.
"Another?""
I nodded.
And suddenly I realized something terrifying.
The letters.
The property.
Marcus.
May you like
Those weren't the end of the story.
They were only the first layer.
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