Chapter 6: The Storage Unit
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
David's voice came through the phone.
“Lauren? Who just spoke?””
I stared at Marcus.
“He says Daniel knows about the storage unit.””
David immediately lowered his voice.
“Don't go there alone.””
“Why?””
“Because if your father left something behind, Daniel may have been looking for it.””
Marcus let out a frustrated laugh.
“You people are making this into some kind of conspiracy.””
I covered the phone.
“Then why are you so nervous?””
“Because you're destroying everything over a misunderstanding!””
I returned the phone to my ear.
“David, I'm going to need you to help me access that storage unit.””
“I'm arranging it now. But don't tell Marcus anything else.””
I ended the call.
Marcus was watching me.
“You're really going to do this?””
“Yes.””
“You don't know what you're getting into.””
“I think I've heard that sentence enough times today.””
He walked into the living room and picked up his briefcase.
I stepped in front of him.
“Put it down.””
He stared at me.
“Move.””
“No.””
“Lauren, don't push me.””
I took out my phone.
“Security?””
He froze.
Then he slowly placed the briefcase on the coffee table.
“Fine. You want to inspect everything? Go ahead.””
I opened it.
Inside were several folders, a laptop, a black notebook, and a thick envelope.
I picked up the first folder.
It contained copies of property records, bank statements, and correspondence from Whitmore Property Holdings.
The second folder contained documents related to a loan agreement.
My name appeared on several pages.
So did my father's.
I opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of my father's identification, a document authorizing a financial transaction, and a photograph of an old signature.
I recognized the signature immediately.
It was my father's.
But the date on the document was from two months after his death.
My fingers went numb.
“This is impossible.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Put that back.””
I stared at him.
“Someone used my father's signature after he died.””
He didn't respond.
I turned another page.
There was a transaction summary showing a transfer of $850,000 from an account connected to my father's estate.
The receiving company was Whitmore Property Holdings.
I looked at Marcus.
“Where did this money come from?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“It's complicated.””
“Stop saying that.””
“Your father owed Daniel money.””
“Then why was money transferred from his estate after his death?””
“Because the debt didn't disappear when he died!””
I stepped backward.
“And you helped them collect it?””
Marcus shook his head.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
“By forging my signature?””
“I never forged anything.””
I held up the documents.
“Then whose signature is this?””
He looked away.
I flipped through the remaining papers.
At the bottom of one page was a handwritten note.
Second payment pending. Obtain Lauren's authorization before November 1.
Tomorrow.
The deadline Daniel had mentioned.
My stomach tightened.
“What's happening tomorrow?””
Marcus didn't answer.
I took a photograph of the page.
Then another.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
The name on the screen was Daniel.
Marcus reached for it.
I stepped aside, allowing him to answer.
“Hello?””
Daniel's voice was loud enough for me to hear.
“Where are the documents?””
Marcus looked at me.
“She has them.””
A pause.
Then Daniel said something that made Marcus's face change.
“You were supposed to get her signature before she discovered the transfer.””
Marcus turned away.
“I know.””
“Do you understand what happens if she contacts her attorney?””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“She's already contacted him.””
There was a sharp silence.
Then Daniel spoke again.
“Then we move to the second plan.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“What second plan?””
I watched him carefully.
Daniel's answer was brief.
“Her father's original agreement.””
Marcus looked toward me.
“That's not what we discussed.””
“It's too late for that now.””
The call ended.
I stared at Marcus.
“What second plan?””
He slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Nothing.””
I picked up the black notebook from the briefcase.
“Then you won't mind if I read this.””
He lunged forward.
I pulled it away.
“Don't!””
The notebook fell open.
A folded sheet of paper slipped from between the pages.
I picked it up.
It was a handwritten list of dates, account numbers, and names.
My father's name appeared several times.
So did Daniel's.
But one name appeared more frequently than any other.
Marcus Reed.
At the bottom of the page was a sentence written in my father's handwriting.
Marcus knows what happened the night of the accident.
My vision blurred.
I read the sentence again.
The night of the accident.
My father hadn't died in an accident.
He had suffered a heart attack.
At least, that was what the official report said.
I looked at Marcus.
“What accident?””
He didn't move.
“Lauren, give me the paper.””
“What accident?””
“It's not what you think.””
I felt my knees weaken.
“Were you with my father the night he died?””
He stared at me.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
“Yes.””
My throat tightened.
“You told me you were in Savannah that night.””
“I lied.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
“Why?””
Marcus looked toward the windows.
“Because your father called me. He wanted to meet privately.””
“Where?””
“At his office.””
“What happened?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“We argued.””
“About what?””
“Money. The property. Daniel. Everything.””
I struggled to breathe.
“Did you leave him alive?””
Marcus looked directly at me.
“Yes.””
“Are you sure?””
His jaw tightened.
“Lauren, I swear I didn't kill him.””
I wanted to believe him.
But I couldn't.
Not anymore.
I looked down at the paper again.
There was another line beneath my father's message.
A name.
A date.
And a handwritten instruction.
If Marcus denies everything, contact Evelyn Cross.
I had never heard of Evelyn Cross.
I turned the paper over.
A phone number was written on the back.
Then my phone rang.
An unfamiliar woman spoke before I could even introduce myself.
“Lauren Hayes?””
“Yes. Who is this?””
“My name is Evelyn Cross. Your father hired me four years ago.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why?””
Her voice trembled.
“Because he believed someone close to you was planning to steal your inheritance.””
I looked at Marcus.
He had gone completely still.
Evelyn continued.
“And there's something else you need to know. Your father's death certificate doesn't tell the whole story.””
I closed my eyes.
“What do you mean?””
Her next words made my blood run cold.
“Your father was alive when the ambulance arrived. But someone at the hospital changed the time of death.””
I stared at Marcus.
He slowly stepped backward.
May you like
Then Evelyn whispered:
“And I have the original hospital recording.””
