Chapter 5: The Name Hidden in My Wife's Past
"Edward?""
I repeated the name as though saying it aloud might somehow make it less disturbing.
Daniel nodded.
"Edward Collins. Your late wife's brother.""
I sat down slowly.
Edward had disappeared from our lives nearly fifteen years earlier after a bitter argument over Margaret's inheritance.
He had borrowed money from me repeatedly, lost most of it through reckless investments, and eventually accused me of keeping money that rightfully belonged to him.
Margaret had tried to reconcile with him.
I hadn't.
When she died, I sent Edward a letter offering him one final opportunity to attend her funeral.
He never came.
Now his name was appearing in my company's financial records.
"How much has he received?"" I asked.
Daniel opened another document.
"Six hundred and twelve thousand dollars across eleven months. The payments were disguised as consulting fees.""
"Who approved them?""
Daniel pointed to the authorization column.
"Your son's account.""
Michael immediately stepped forward.
"I didn't approve those payments!""
Daniel remained calm.
"Your credentials were used. Whether you personally authorized them is something we need to establish.""
Michael looked devastated.
"I didn't even know Edward was involved with the company.""
I studied his face.
For the first time, I believed he might actually be telling the truth.
"Daniel, can you trace the payments?""
"Yes. But I need access to the original transaction logs.""
"Do whatever you need.""
Daniel nodded.
Then he looked at Michael.
"I also recommend that you voluntarily surrender your company access while the investigation continues.""
Michael swallowed.
"Am I being fired?""
"That's not my decision.""
I looked at him.
"It will be decided when we know the truth.""
He nodded slowly.
Daniel left shortly afterward to coordinate with the bank and the company's security department.
The house became strangely quiet.
Chloe brought me a glass of water and a cold compress.
"Your cheek looks terrible, Mr. Anderson.""
I touched the swelling.
"I've had worse.""
She frowned.
"That doesn't mean you should pretend it doesn't hurt.""
I almost smiled.
"You're beginning to sound like Margaret.""
Chloe sat beside me.
"Can I ask you something?""
"Of course.""
"Do you think Michael knew about the money?""
I stared into the glass.
"I don't know anymore.""
She looked toward the staircase.
"He looked genuinely shocked.""
"Shock can be genuine even when guilt is present.""
She nodded.
Then she reached into her pocket and removed a folded piece of paper.
"I found this in Vanessa's handbag earlier.""
I unfolded it.
It was a handwritten list of names and amounts.
Several entries were marked with dates.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Edward Collins.
Beside his name was a note:
Final payment after guardianship approval.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
"Where did you find this?""
"Her bedroom. It was inside a makeup bag.""
I read the note again.
Guardianship approval.
The plan had been much bigger than I imagined.
They weren't simply trying to take my house.
They were building a system that would give them access to everything I owned.
"Chloe, did Vanessa ever mention Edward?""
She nodded.
"Several times. She said he was the only person who understood what she was trying to accomplish.""
I looked at her.
"Did you ever meet him?""
"No. But I heard her talking to him on the phone.""
"What did she say?""
Chloe hesitated.
"She said the old man had to be removed before he changed his will.""
I felt a chill run down my spine.
My will.
I had updated it six months earlier.
Not because I was expecting to die, but because Daniel had advised me to review my estate arrangements after selling one of our commercial properties.
Michael was still included.
But there were conditions.
I had established a charitable foundation in Margaret's name and assigned part of the estate to it.
The remaining assets would be distributed according to a carefully written trust.
Nobody could simply force me to hand over control.
And Vanessa apparently knew enough to understand that.
I picked up my phone and called Daniel again.
"Richard?"" he answered.
"I need you to investigate Edward Collins. Everything. His businesses, his debts, his recent financial activity.""
"Understood.""
"And check whether he has any connection to Dr. Helen Carter.""
Daniel paused.
"Why?""
"Because I suspect the medical evaluation was part of a coordinated plan.""
"I'll look into it.""
I hung up.
Then I looked at Chloe.
"Thank you.""
She shook her head.
"You don't need to thank me.""
"Yes, I do. You could have stayed quiet.""
She stared at the floor.
"I was afraid.""
"Of Vanessa?""
"Of what she'd do to my family. My mother still depends on her for some financial support.""
I understood.
"Does your mother know about this?""
"No.""
"Then we need to protect her too.""
Chloe nodded.
I arranged for her mother to receive financial assistance directly from a separate charitable account, with no involvement from Vanessa.
It was the least I could do.
Later that morning, I went into Margaret's old bedroom.
I hadn't changed much since she died.
Her books remained on the shelves. Her favorite perfume bottle sat on the dressing table.
I opened the bottom drawer and found a small wooden box.
Inside were photographs, birthday cards, and an envelope addressed in Margaret's handwriting.
For Richard, when you finally understand.
My heart skipped.
I had never seen it before.
I opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was a letter.
"Richard,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I always feared.
Edward has never accepted that I chose you. He believes our family money should have remained under his control. He has tried to pressure me into changing my financial arrangements several times.
I refused.
I also discovered that he has been speaking to people about your business.
Please don't trust him simply because he is my brother.
There is something else I need to tell you.
Before we married, Edward and I were involved in a family investment agreement. There are documents hidden in the old storage unit. Those documents explain why he believes he has a claim against our company.
I never told you because I thought the matter had been settled.
I was wrong.
Please protect Michael.
And if Michael ever turns against you, remember that love does not require you to surrender your life.""
My eyes blurred.
Margaret had known.
She had known Edward was dangerous, yet she had hoped the matter would never reach our son.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
For several minutes, I couldn't move.
Then I called Daniel.
"Find the storage unit Margaret mentioned.""
"Do you know where it is?""
"Somewhere near the old warehouse on Westbrook Avenue.""
"I'll send someone.""
Before I could say anything else, my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
You should have accepted the offer when you had the chance, Richard.
Another message appeared.
Your wife tried to protect you. It didn't work.
My blood ran cold.
I forwarded both messages to Daniel.
Then I called him.
"Someone knows I've found Margaret's letter.""
"Don't respond," he said immediately.
"I'll trace the number.""
I walked toward the living room window.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
Its engine was running.
The driver was looking directly at my house.
I watched for several seconds.
Then the driver's phone lit up.
He answered.
And almost immediately, my own phone rang.
Daniel.
"Richard, we've identified the number.""
"Who is it?""
He took a breath.
"Edward Collins.""
I looked back at the SUV.
"He's outside my house.""
Daniel's voice sharpened.
"Don't approach him. I'm sending someone over.""
But before he could finish, the SUV door opened.
A man stepped out.
Older, gray-haired, wearing a dark overcoat.
I recognized him immediately.
Edward.
He looked up at my window and raised one hand.
Not in greeting.
May you like
In warning.
Then he walked toward my front door.
