Chapter 11: The Man Who Had Been Lying for Twenty Years
Nobody moved.
The house remained dark except for the glow of the fireplace.
Martin knocked again.
"Margaret, I know you're inside.""
Daniel signaled Christopher to move away from the windows.
Helen quietly called Detective Carter.
Evelyn approached the door.
"Don't open it," Daniel whispered.
Evelyn ignored him.
She walked to the front entrance and spoke through the wood.
"What do you want, Martin?""
A familiar laugh came from outside.
"Good evening, Evelyn. It's been a long time.""
"Not long enough.""
"I need the Bennett family to understand that this situation has become unnecessarily complicated.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"You have Charlotte. Let her go.""
Martin sighed.
"Daniel, you're making the same mistake your father made. You believe every problem can be solved by confronting it.""
"Where is Charlotte?""
"She's alive.""
"That wasn't my question.""
Martin paused.
"Bring me the key and the trust documents. Then we'll discuss her release.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"Martin, please. She's innocent.""
Martin's voice softened.
"Margaret, you were always too sentimental. That's why James was able to manipulate you.""
Daniel clenched his jaw.
"Don't speak about my father.""
"Your father was a selfish man.""
"You're the one who destroyed his life.""
A short silence followed.
Then Martin chuckled.
"Is that what your mother told you?""
Margaret's face turned pale.
Martin continued.
"Perhaps she should tell you what really happened the night James died.""
Daniel looked at his mother.
"Mom?""
Margaret stepped toward the door.
"Don't listen to him.""
Martin raised his voice.
"Tell him, Margaret. Tell him who was driving the car.""
Margaret closed her eyes.
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"What is he talking about?""
Martin laughed again.
"Your mother was behind the wheel that night.""
The words seemed to stop the air in the room.
Daniel turned toward Margaret.
She looked as though her legs might give way.
"Mom?""
Margaret's voice broke.
"I was driving.""
Daniel stepped back.
"Why?""
"Your father was injured. He had been arguing with Richard, and we were trying to get Charlotte away from him.""
"Then why did you never tell me?""
"Because I couldn't remember everything.""
Martin interrupted.
"She remembers enough.""
Margaret gripped the edge of a nearby table.
"I remember the headlights. I remember the road. I remember hearing your father shout my name.""
Daniel stared at her.
"What happened after the crash?""
"I woke up in the hospital. Richard told the police that James had been driving recklessly. He said he had witnessed the accident from another car.""
"Was that true?""
"No.""
Martin laughed.
"Careful, Margaret.""
She looked toward the door.
"You were there, Martin.""
A long silence followed.
Then she continued.
"You were standing beside Richard. You told me James had died before the ambulance arrived. You told me Charlotte had been taken to safety.""
Daniel's voice was barely audible.
"Did Dad die at the scene?""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. He was still alive when they took him away.""
Helen lowered her phone.
"That is extremely important.""
Martin suddenly became angry.
"Enough!""
His voice echoed through the house.
"You have no idea what James was involved in. He was going to destroy everyone, including his own family.""
Daniel stepped closer to the door.
"Did you kill him?""
Martin didn't answer.
Instead, he said, "Bring me the key.""
Then something shattered in the rear hallway.
Christopher turned.
"Someone's inside!""
Two figures rushed through the kitchen.
One wore a dark jacket and a face covering. The other carried a flashlight.
Daniel grabbed a heavy wooden chair and pushed it toward the first intruder.
The man stumbled.
Christopher tackled him.
The second man reached for Margaret's handbag.
Evelyn shouted, "The key!""
Margaret clutched it to her chest.
Helen grabbed a decorative vase and struck the intruder's arm.
He dropped the bag.
A siren sounded outside.
Detective Carter had arrived.
The two intruders tried to escape through the kitchen, but officers intercepted them.
At the front entrance, Martin ran.
Daniel saw him through the window.
"Martin!""
The lawyer turned.
For one brief second, their eyes met.
Then Martin disappeared into the darkness.
Carter rushed inside.
"Is everyone all right?""
Helen nodded.
"Two suspects are in custody. Martin escaped.""
Carter looked at Margaret.
"Mrs. Bennett, I need you to come with us. We have reason to believe your life is in danger.""
Margaret nodded.
Daniel retrieved the handbag.
The brass key was still inside.
But something else had changed.
A small photograph had been slipped into the outer pocket.
Daniel pulled it out.
It showed a young Sarah standing beside Martin Graves.
On the back, someone had written:
*SHE KNOWS WHO REALLY KILLED JAMES.*
Daniel looked toward Helen.
"Sarah.""
Helen nodded.
"We need to find her.""
Carter approached.
"Do you know where she works?""
Daniel showed him the photograph and the information Evelyn had provided.
Carter studied it.
"Whitmore Holdings.""
Christopher shook his head.
"That's practically Richard's headquarters.""
"Exactly," Helen replied.
Daniel looked at his mother.
"Mom, I'm going to find my sister.""
Margaret took his hand.
"Be careful, sweetheart. Your father spent twenty years trying to protect both of you.""
Daniel leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"I won't let him have died for nothing.""
As Carter escorted Margaret toward the police vehicle, Daniel's phone rang.
A number he recognized from the earlier messages.
Martin.
Daniel answered.
"What do you want?""
Martin's voice was calm again.
"You've become quite troublesome, Daniel.""
"Where is Charlotte?""
"Still waiting for you.""
"She's not part of this.""
"Everyone is part of this.""
Martin paused.
"Especially your sister.""
Daniel's blood ran cold.
"What did you do to Sarah?""
Martin chuckled.
"Nothing yet.""
Then he delivered the sentence that changed everything.
"Ask Sarah why she stayed with Richard after learning who her father was.""
The call ended.
Daniel looked at Helen.
"There's something we're missing.""
Helen nodded.
"Yes.""
She glanced toward the photograph.
"Your sister may not be Richard's victim.""
Daniel stared at her.
"What are you saying?""
May you like
Helen lowered her voice.
"What if Sarah has been working with him all along?""
