Chapter 4: The Message About My Father
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
The message glowed on my phone screen.
*Ask him what happened to your father.*
I read it again.
Then a third time.
My father had been dead for four years.
He had suffered a massive heart attack while traveling for a business conference in Atlanta. At least, that was what my family had been told. The doctors had confirmed his death, and the funeral had taken place three days later.
Marcus had been beside me through all of it.
He had held my hand at the hospital. He had helped arrange the funeral. He had even stood beside my mother when she broke down during the burial.
Why would someone send me a message like this?
“Lauren?””
David's voice came through the office phone.
I barely heard him.
“Lauren, are you still there?””
“David, someone just sent me a message.””
“What message?””
I read it aloud.
There was a long silence.
Then he asked, “What number?””
I checked.
Unknown sender.
“Can you forward it to me?””
“Yes.””
“Do that immediately. And Lauren, don't let Marcus leave with anything from that house.””
I looked toward the hallway.
Marcus was standing near the staircase, holding his phone against his ear.
He was speaking quietly.
“I'm telling you, she found it,” he whispered.
“No, I don't have time to explain. Just get here.””
I ended the call with David.
Then I walked toward him.
“Who was that?””
Marcus slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Nobody.””
“Was it Daniel?””
He sighed.
“Lauren, please. Not again.””
“Someone just sent me a message about my father.””
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
“What message?””
I held up my phone.
“Apparently, I should ask you what happened to him.””
Marcus stared at the screen.
For a moment, the confident man I had known disappeared.
Then he laughed.
“That's ridiculous.””
“Is it?””
“Someone is trying to manipulate you.””
“Who?””
“I don't know!””
His voice echoed through the hallway.
I took a step closer.
“Marcus, you were there when my father died. You helped me identify his belongings. You told me he had suffered a heart attack.””
“He did.””
“Then why are you afraid of a message?””
“I'm not afraid!””
His answer came too quickly.
I looked at his hands.
He was gripping his phone so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
Before I could ask another question, the doorbell rang.
Marcus went still.
I looked toward the entrance.
“Were you expecting someone?””
“No.””
But he was already moving.
I followed him into the foyer.
Through the glass panels beside the front door, I saw a tall man in a charcoal suit holding a leather folder.
Marcus stopped.
“Don't open that,” he said.
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because he's not supposed to be here.””
That was all I needed to hear.
I unlocked the door.
The man introduced himself as Daniel Whitmore.
He was in his early fifties, with silver hair, expensive shoes, and a smile that seemed practiced in front of mirrors.
“Ms. Hayes,” he said.
“I'm sorry to arrive unexpectedly.””
I didn't return his smile.
“Do I know you?””
“I believe we've never been formally introduced.””
Marcus stepped between us.
“Daniel, I told you to wait.””
Daniel glanced at him.
“And I told you we have a deadline.””
I looked from one man to the other.
“What deadline?””
Daniel opened his folder.
“I'm here to collect the signed authorization documents for the property transfer.””
I almost laughed.
“Then you've wasted your trip.””
His expression tightened.
“I'm afraid the process has already begun.””
“Not with my permission.””
He glanced at Marcus.
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“Daniel, just give us a minute.””
Daniel closed the folder.
“Marcus, we discussed this. If the documents aren't submitted by tomorrow morning, the entire arrangement falls apart.””
My heart began racing.
“What arrangement?””
Daniel looked at me.
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
“Perhaps you should discuss that with your boyfriend.””
“I am discussing it with you.””
He adjusted his jacket.
“Very well. Your property was intended to serve as collateral for a private financial arrangement. Mr. Reed assured us that all necessary approvals had been obtained.””
“That's a lie.””
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“Then I suggest you speak with your attorney.””
“I already have.””
Something flickered across his face.
He stepped backward.
“Then I believe our conversation is finished.””
He turned toward Marcus.
“Make sure you understand what happens if you fail to deliver.””
Marcus said nothing.
Daniel walked toward his car.
I watched him leave.
Then I turned to Marcus.
“Collateral?””
He looked exhausted.
“Lauren, I can explain.””
“Did you use my house to secure a loan?””
He rubbed his face.
“It was temporary.””
“How much?””
Silence.
“How much, Marcus?””
“Two million.””
The number seemed to suck the air out of the room.
“Two million dollars?””
“It wasn't supposed to become a problem.””
I stared at him.
“You put my house at risk for two million dollars?””
“I was going to repay it.””
“With what?””
He looked away.
I suddenly understood that the affair wasn't the biggest betrayal.
It was merely the easiest one to see.
I stepped backward.
“Get out of my house.””
“Lauren—”
“Now.””
He reached for my arm.
I moved away.
“Don't touch me.””
His face hardened.
“You think you can just throw me out? You have no idea what I've done to keep everything together.””
I stared at him.
“Everything together?””
He laughed bitterly.
“Your father left more problems than you know.””
My chest tightened.
“What did you just say?””
Marcus seemed to realize he had said too much.
He turned toward the staircase.
“Forget it.””
I grabbed my phone.
“No. You're going to tell me what you know about my father.””
He stopped at the bottom step.
Then he looked back.
And the words that came out of his mouth changed everything.
“Your father didn't die broke, Lauren. He died owing people money.””
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated again.
Another message.
This time, the sender included a photograph.
It showed my father sitting at a restaurant table with Marcus.
May you like
The photograph was dated six days before my father's death.
And beside them sat Daniel Whitmore.
