Chapter 11: Rebecca Hayes Finally Speaks
Rebecca chose an abandoned church on the outskirts of town.
It had been closed for nearly a decade. The wooden doors were weathered, the stained-glass windows were cracked, and weeds had grown between the stone steps.
Daniel arrived with Julia and his mother.
Michael remained at the office, securing the company records.
Detective Harris stayed away as Rebecca had requested.
A single light glowed behind the church's narrow side window.
Daniel knocked three times.
The door opened slowly.
A woman stood inside.
Her silver hair was tucked beneath a dark scarf. She wore a plain brown coat and held a walking stick.
Her eyes moved from Daniel to Margaret.
Then she began to cry.
“Thomas's boy.””
Daniel felt something tighten in his chest.
“Rebecca?””
She nodded.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Margaret stepped forward.
“Rebecca, we thought you were dead.””
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
“So did Robert.””
She moved aside and allowed them into the church.
Inside, the air smelled of damp wood and candle wax. A small table stood near the altar, covered with folders and photographs.
Rebecca sat down carefully.
Daniel remained standing.
“I need answers.””
“I know.””
“Did Robert kill my father?””
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“I didn't see him do it. But I know he arranged the circumstances that led to your father's death.””
Daniel pulled out a chair.
“Tell me everything.””
Rebecca folded her hands.
“Twenty years ago, Robert and Thomas were partners. They built a successful development business together. But Robert wanted more. He began moving money through shell companies, using false invoices and forged signatures.””
She pointed toward a folder.
“Your father discovered the transfers. He confronted Robert and demanded that the money be returned.””
Daniel looked at the documents.
“Why didn't he go to the police?””
“He intended to. But Robert had friends inside the department. He also had people watching both of us.””
Margaret leaned forward.
“Thomas never told me how dangerous it had become.””
“He was trying to protect you.””
Rebecca looked at Daniel.
“He was especially worried about you. You were only nine. Robert knew your father would do anything to keep you safe.””
Daniel's voice became quieter.
“What happened before Dad died?””
Rebecca stared at the floor.
“Your father and I arranged to meet at a restaurant. I had copies of the original transactions. He planned to give them to an attorney the following morning.””
“Did he?””
“No.””
Rebecca's eyes filled.
“That night, Robert found out about our meeting. He called Thomas and asked him to come to a private garage. He claimed he had evidence that could clear his name.””
Daniel leaned forward.
“And Dad went?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert threatened to have me arrested for financial fraud. Thomas believed he could settle the matter without involving the police.””
Rebecca reached into her bag and removed a photograph.
It showed Thomas standing beside a dark car.
The date was written on the back.
The same date as the meeting described in the police statement.
“I followed him,” Rebecca said.
“I was frightened he would be hurt.””
Daniel stared at the photograph.
“What did you see?””
“Robert arrived with another man. They argued. I heard shouting, but I couldn't see everything from where I was standing.””
“Then?””
Rebecca's voice cracked.
“I heard a crash.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
Rebecca continued.
“By the time I reached the garage, your father was lying on the ground. Robert was standing beside him.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Was he alive?””
“Yes.””
Rebecca began crying.
“He was breathing. He tried to speak. I heard him say your name.””
Daniel's hands trembled.
“What did Robert do?””
“He told me to leave. He said he would call an ambulance.””
Rebecca looked directly at Daniel.
“But I saw the other man pick up your father's briefcase. Then Robert looked at me and said that if I called for help, he would make sure you and your mother suffered.””
Daniel felt sick.
“You left him there?””
“I was terrified. I ran to find help. When I returned, your father was gone.””
“Gone?””
“The garage was empty. There was blood on the floor, but no car, no body, nothing.””
Margaret began sobbing.
Rebecca reached across the table.
“I searched for him for days. Robert told everyone he had died at home from a heart attack. The funeral happened before I could speak to anyone.””
Daniel looked at his mother.
She was shaking.
“Why didn't you come to us?””
“Because Robert found me two days later.””
Rebecca removed another photograph.
It showed her standing outside a house.
A red circle had been drawn around the front door.
“He told me he knew where Thomas had hidden the documents. He said if I went to the police, he'd destroy everything and make me responsible for Thomas's death.””
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“So you disappeared.””
“I changed my name and left the state. I thought I could survive long enough to expose him.””
“Why didn't you contact me?””
Rebecca looked down.
“I tried.””
She opened a folder and removed several envelopes.
Each was addressed to Daniel.
One had been returned.
Another bore a stamp indicating that it had been intercepted.
“I sent these to your mother's house. Robert's people collected the mail before it reached you.””
Margaret stared at the envelopes.
“I never saw them.””
“I know.””
Rebecca wiped her eyes.
“I learned later that Robert had been paying someone to monitor your family.””
Daniel thought of Victor Lane.
“Was it Victor?””
Rebecca nodded.
“He came looking for me last year. He said he was working for Lauren Whitmore.””
Daniel went still.
“What did Lauren want?””
“Your father's original documents. She believed they contained the information needed to gain control of the second trust.””
Daniel looked at Julia.
Julia was already writing.
Rebecca reached into her coat and removed a small flash drive.
“This is the second recording.””
Daniel took it.
“What does it contain?””
“Robert's conversation with the man from the garage. The man who helped him move your father.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Who is he?””
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she said:
“Patricia Whitmore's husband.””
Daniel frowned.
“Lauren's father?””
Rebecca nodded.
“His name is Edward Whitmore.””
Margaret looked shocked.
“But Patricia told everyone Edward died years ago.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“He didn't die.””
Daniel felt a chill.
“Where is he?””
Rebecca's expression changed.
“He's been living under another name.””
Julia leaned forward.
“Do you have proof?””
Rebecca nodded.
“I have his original identification records, photographs, and a recording of him discussing the garage.””
Daniel stared at the flash drive.
“Why would Patricia lie about her husband?””
“Because she helped Robert cover up the original financial transfers. And because Edward was supposed to remain hidden.””
A noise came from outside.
Three sharp knocks echoed against the church door.
Everyone froze.
Rebecca stood so quickly that her walking stick fell.
“No,” she whispered.
Daniel moved toward the window.
A black SUV was parked near the entrance.
Two men were getting out.
Julia immediately called the police.
Rebecca grabbed Daniel's arm.
“You have to leave.””
“Not without you.””
“Daniel, listen to me. Robert knows I'm here.””
The door handle began turning.
Then a familiar female voice called from outside.
“Rebecca? It's Patricia. Please open the door.””
Margaret stared at the entrance.
Daniel stepped closer to the window.
Patricia Whitmore stood on the steps, holding a handbag.
But she wasn't alone.
Behind her was a man in his sixties.
He had the same sharp eyes and narrow jaw as Lauren.
Rebecca whispered:
“Edward.””
The man looked directly through the stained-glass window.
May you like
Then he raised his hand.
He was holding a photograph of Thomas Bennett.
