Chapter 6: The Man Behind the Deal
Derrick read the name again.
Anthony Reed.
His best friend.
His business partner.
The man who had stood beside him at his wedding, delivered a speech about loyalty, and promised to look after him if anything ever happened.
Derrick looked at Gloria.
"Why would Dad write Anthony's name?""
Gloria adjusted her pillow.
"I don't know everything. Your father never explained the details. He only told me that Anthony had become involved in something he didn't approve of.""
Derrick looked down at the letter.
There was more.
Your business partner knows the value of the property. He also knows about the investment account attached to the trust. Do not let anyone convince you that the money belongs to them.
Derrick's fingers tightened around the paper.
"What investment account?""
Gloria shook her head.
"Your father handled all of that. I only knew he had set aside money for you.""
"How much?""
"I don't know, sweetheart.""
He looked at the flash drive.
The small device felt heavier than it should have.
"Did Patrice know about this?""
Gloria nodded slowly.
"She found the envelope in my bedroom when she was looking through your father's old things.""
"When?""
"About two months ago.""
Derrick stared at her.
"She searched your room?""
"She said she was looking for insurance papers.""
"And then?""
"She asked me about the letter. I told her I didn't know what it meant.""
Gloria lowered her voice.
"She became very angry when I refused to give her the envelope.""
Derrick felt his stomach tighten.
"Is that when she took your phone?""
"Not immediately.""
"Then when?""
"After I told her I had spoken to Mr. Collins.""
A nurse entered the room to check Gloria's IV.
Derrick folded the letter and placed it back inside the envelope.
"Mom, I need to make a call.""
Gloria caught his sleeve.
"Be careful, Dre.""
He looked at her.
"With Anthony?""
"With everyone.""
He kissed her forehead.
"I'll be right outside.""
In the corridor, he called Anthony.
The phone rang twice.
"Well, look who finally remembered he has a best friend.""
Anthony's cheerful voice came through the speaker.
Derrick forced himself to sound normal.
"Hey, man. You busy?""
"Just got home. What's up?""
"I need to ask you about Dad's property.""
There was a brief silence.
Then Anthony laughed.
"Your father's house? What about it?""
"Did you know Patrice was trying to transfer it into a company?""
Another pause.
"That's a serious accusation.""
"It's a serious situation.""
"Listen, Derrick, I don't know what your wife is doing. But I do know you should be careful about listening to people when they're upset.""
Derrick looked through the hospital window.
"Did you ever discuss the house with Patrice?""
Anthony exhaled.
"Maybe once or twice. She asked me about its market value. That's not unusual.""
"Why would she ask you?""
"Because I'm in real estate development, remember?""
Derrick said nothing.
Anthony continued.
"Your father and I talked about that property years ago. He knew I could help manage it if the family ever wanted to sell.""
"Did he tell you about the trust?""
Silence.
Then Anthony spoke.
"Who told you about that?""
Derrick's grip tightened around the phone.
"My father left a letter.""
Anthony didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he said:
"Where is it?""
Derrick stared at the screen.
"Why?""
"Because if your father left something important, we need to make sure it's legitimate.""
"We?""
"You're my partner, Derrick. I'm trying to protect you.""
Derrick almost laughed.
His mother had been locked in a room.
His wife had allegedly been trying to take the house.
And his business partner was asking where he kept his father's final letter.
"Did you know Patrice was trying to sell the property?""
Anthony sighed.
"Look, I think we should discuss this face-to-face.""
"Why?""
"Because there are things you don't understand.""
"Then explain them.""
"Not over the phone.""
Derrick looked at the clock.
"Fine. Tomorrow morning.""
"Come to the office.""
"I will.""
Anthony lowered his voice.
"And Derrick?""
"Yeah?""
"Don't let Gloria get involved. She's getting older. She doesn't understand business anymore.""
Derrick felt his blood run cold.
"Good night, Anthony.""
He ended the call.
For a moment, he stood motionless.
Then he noticed a missed call from an unknown number.
A voicemail had arrived.
He pressed play.
A man's voice came through.
"Mr. Hayes, this is Daniel Collins. I forgot to mention something earlier. I reviewed the documents again, and I found a second transfer request.""
Derrick frowned.
The message continued.
"This one was submitted using your mother's identity. It includes a signature dated last Tuesday.""
He looked toward Gloria's room.
Last Tuesday.
That was the day she had told him Patrice took her phone.
He replayed the message.
Daniel's voice became more serious.
"There's another issue. The application lists Gloria Hayes as having voluntarily vacated the property.""
Derrick's face hardened.
His mother hadn't vacated anything.
She had been locked inside it.
He called the attorney back.
"Mr. Collins, I need that application.""
"I can email it to you.""
"And I need every document Patrice submitted.""
"I'll arrange that.""
"One more question. Can you tell whether my mother's signature is genuine?""
A pause.
"Not without examining the original.""
"Then get the original.""
"I'll request it.""
Derrick ended the call.
He returned to Gloria's room.
She was awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Mom?""
She turned toward him.
"Did you read the letter?""
"Yes.""
"Did it say anything about Anthony?""
Derrick sat down.
"It did.""
Gloria closed her eyes.
"Your father was afraid of him.""
Derrick leaned forward.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know how much to believe. Your father never wanted to accuse someone without proof.""
Derrick pulled the envelope from his jacket.
He took out the flash drive.
"Do you know what's on this?""
Gloria shook her head.
"He told me there was a recording. He said it would explain everything if the time ever came.""
Derrick looked at the tiny device.
A recording.
Of whom?
He remembered Anthony's voice on the phone.
Where is it?
His partner hadn't asked whether Derrick was safe.
He hadn't asked whether Gloria was recovering.
He had asked where the letter was.
Derrick stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, rain slid down the glass in thin silver lines.
His phone vibrated again.
This time, it was a message from Patrice.
*Anthony is coming over tomorrow. Don't do anything stupid before you speak to him.*
Derrick stared at the screen.
He hadn't told Patrice about the call.
He hadn't told her about the flash drive.
He hadn't even told her he was planning to visit Anthony.
He typed a single question.
*How do you know Anthony is coming?*
The message showed as delivered.
Then the typing indicator appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Finally, Patrice replied.
*Because he and I have been working together for months.*
A second message arrived.
*And Derrick, there's something your father never told you.*
He waited.
The third message appeared.
*Anthony isn't the only person who knows what's on that flash drive.*
Derrick looked down at the envelope in his hand.
Then, from the hospital bed, Gloria whispered his name.
"Dre?""
He turned.
She was staring at the flash drive.
"There's one thing I forgot to tell you.""
"What, Mom?""
Her voice shook.
"Your father didn't record that message for you.""
Derrick frowned.
"Then who was it for?""
Gloria looked toward the closed hospital door.
And whispered:
May you like
"Patrice.""
*End of Chapter 6.*
