Chapter 6: The Person Who Knew the Whole Story
Three days later, Marcus received a phone call that changed the investigation.
It was from his late wife’s attorney.
A man named Daniel Hayes.
He had worked with Nia’s mother before her death.
Marcus had not spoken to him in years.
But when Daniel said he needed to meet immediately, Marcus knew it was important.
They met at a quiet coffee shop outside Dallas.
Nia came with him.
She wanted answers.
She needed them.
Daniel placed a folder on the table.
“I should have contacted you sooner.””
Marcus frowned.
“Why didn’t you?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“Because your wife asked me not to.””
Nia leaned forward.
“My mom?””
Daniel nodded.
“She knew something was wrong.””
The words made Nia’s chest tighten.
“What did she know?””
Daniel opened the folder.
“Before she passed away, your mother noticed unusual activity.””
Marcus became serious.
“With the trust?””
“With everything.””
Daniel looked at Nia.
“Your mother was worried someone would try to take control of what she left you.””
Nia looked down.
“So she knew.””
“Yes.””
Daniel removed a letter.
“She prepared this as a backup.””
Marcus stared.
“Another letter?””
“Yes.””
Nia touched it carefully.
“Why didn’t I get this?””
Daniel sighed.
“Because the instructions were clear.””
He looked at Marcus.
“If the trust was ever challenged or altered, I was supposed to release this information.””
Marcus opened the letter.
The first line made him freeze.
“My dearest Nia…”
Nia covered her mouth.
Her mother’s words.
Again.
Another piece of her.
Marcus read silently for a moment.
Then he handed it to her.
Nia read.
Her eyes filled immediately.
Her mother wrote about love.
About growing up.
About not letting anyone convince her she was less important because she lost someone.
Then came the part that changed everything.
“I have reason to believe someone close to us may attempt to take what belongs to my daughter.””
Nia stopped.
She looked at Marcus.
Daniel continued.
“Your mother suspected Rebecca.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Nia kept reading.
“She is kind when people are watching. But kindness without honesty is only a performance.””
The words were painful.
Because they were true.
Daniel pulled out another document.
“A private investigation report.””
Marcus looked shocked.
“Your mother hired someone?””
“Yes.””
The report showed financial concerns.
Suspicious transfers.
Attempts to access trust information.
And one final note.
“Subject believes the property should eventually belong to her daughter.””
Hailey.
Nia whispered.
Daniel nodded.
“Your mother knew.””
A cold silence followed.
Then Marcus asked the question everyone had avoided.
“Where is Rebecca now?””
Daniel looked serious.
“She contacted me yesterday.””
Nia froze.
“She did?””
“Yes.””
“What did she say?””
Daniel looked at Marcus.
“She said she was not going to lose everything.””
Marcus tightened his jaw.
“Did she threaten anyone?””
Daniel paused.
That pause was enough.
“What did she say?””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“She said she had proof that could destroy your family.””
Nia felt a chill.
“What proof?””
Nobody answered.
Because nobody knew.
But that night, when Nia returned home, she found something waiting on her bedroom door.
An envelope.
No name.
No address.
Just three words written on the front.
YOU SHOULD KNOW.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph of her father.
Rebecca.
And her mother.
Taken years ago.
Before Rebecca married Marcus.
Nia stared at it.
Because standing beside them was someone she had never seen before.
Someone who looked angry.
Someone who clearly knew her family.
May you like
And written on the back of the photo was a message:
“The truth about your mother’s death was never told.””
