Chapter 5 - The Woman Who Knew Too Much
Daniel drove Richard to a small motel outside town.
They needed somewhere nobody would expect them to be.
Noah stayed with a trusted neighbor.
Daniel hated leaving his son behind, but he knew it was safer.
Richard sat on the edge of the motel bed.
For the first time in years, he looked old.
Not powerful.
Not intimidating.
Just tired.
Daniel placed the key on the table.
“Tell me everything about James.”
Richard looked down.
“Your uncle wasn't a good man.”
“That isn't enough.”
“He was involved in financial fraud.”
Daniel stared.
“And you?”
“I tried to stop him.”
“Did you?”
Richard said nothing.
Daniel understood.
“You covered it up.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“I protected the family.”
“No. You protected the name.”
Richard looked up.
“You don't understand what would have happened.”
“My life wouldn't have been destroyed?”
“I thought I could contain it.”
“You couldn't.”
Richard's voice cracked.
“I was trying to protect you.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“By keeping me ignorant?”
Richard looked away.
Daniel walked to the window.
“Rebecca knew.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Before I married her.”
Daniel turned.
“You married her knowing this?”
“I believed she had changed.”
“And Emily?”
“Emily was never involved.”
Daniel stared.
“Are you sure?”
Richard hesitated.
That was enough.
Daniel’s phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
You are looking in the wrong place.
Attached was a photograph.
Daniel opened it.
It showed Rebecca entering a warehouse.
Beside her stood a man.
Daniel recognized him.
He had seen him at the family house.
At business meetings.
At charity events.
He was Richard’s attorney.
Daniel looked at his father.
“Your lawyer is working with Rebecca.”
Richard shook his head.
“No.”
Daniel showed him the photograph.
Richard stared.
Then whispered a name.
“Michael.”
The phone buzzed again.
May you like
This time, the message contained only four words.
Ask your father about the lake house.
