Chapter 7: The Secret My First Wife Took to Her Grave
I didn't answer Laura immediately.
I stood in the kitchen, holding Emily's photograph while Nia sat quietly at the table, her new sneakers dangling above the floor.
The date on the back of the photograph was four years old.
The week Emily died.
And according to Laura, Vanessa and Robert Miller had known each other long before my second marriage.
"Laura," I finally said, "I need you to explain exactly what happened.""
There was a long silence.
Then she spoke.
"Daniel, do you remember when Emily started asking you to review your life insurance policies?""
I frowned.
"Yes. She said she wanted everything organized for Nia.""
"That wasn't the whole reason.""
I sat down.
"What aren't you telling me?""
Laura exhaled shakily.
"Robert Miller was working as an independent financial adviser when Emily first met him. He approached her through a mutual acquaintance and offered to review some of her investments.""
I remembered Emily mentioning a financial adviser once.
She had said he was knowledgeable but something about him made her uncomfortable.
I hadn't thought much of it.
Laura continued.
"Emily discovered that Robert had been moving money between accounts without proper authorization. At first, she thought it was a mistake. Then she found evidence that he had done it to other families.""
My stomach tightened.
"Was he stealing?""
"Yes. He targeted people who had recently lost family members or were too sick to manage their finances.""
I looked at the notebook on the counter.
The payments.
The dates.
The names.
"Did Emily report him?""
"She tried. But he threatened her. He knew about her diagnosis, and he knew she was preparing an inheritance for Nia. He told her he could make the money disappear before anyone realized what had happened.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She was afraid. She thought he might target you and Nia if you became involved.""
I looked toward my daughter.
She was listening.
I lowered my voice.
"What does Vanessa have to do with him?""
Laura paused.
"Vanessa worked in the same financial office as Robert.""
My blood ran cold.
"What?""
"She was his assistant. They were involved in several transactions together.""
I stood up.
"You're telling me my wife knew this man before she met me?""
"Yes.""
"How long?""
"At least five years.""
I walked toward the window.
I remembered how Vanessa had approached me after Emily's death.
She had seemed understanding. Patient. She had listened when I talked about Nia's grief and told me she understood how difficult it was to raise a child alone.
I remembered thinking I'd been lucky to find someone so compassionate.
Now I wondered whether any of it had been genuine.
Laura continued.
"Emily confronted Robert about the missing money. Shortly afterward, he disappeared from the company. Vanessa left too.""
"Why didn't the police investigate?""
"They did, but the evidence was incomplete. Emily had copies of some documents, but the original files were missing.""
I looked at the photograph.
"What was in the blue envelope?""
"Bank records, correspondence, and a signed statement from Robert. Emily kept it because she believed he might eventually try to access Nia's inheritance.""
I glanced at the notebook.
There it was again.
Blue envelope — Laura.
"Where is it now?""
"I don't know. Emily told me she had hidden it somewhere safe. She said the original hospital photograph would help you find it.""
I looked down at the photograph.
"What does a hospital picture have to do with a financial envelope?""
Laura's voice softened.
"Turn it over.""
I did.
There was the message Emily had written.
Below it, I noticed something I'd missed earlier.
A tiny handwritten number.
*214.*
"What does 214 mean?"" I asked.
Laura gasped.
"That's it.""
"What's it?""
"Room 214. The storage unit Emily rented before she entered hospice.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"She had a storage unit?""
"Yes. She told me it contained things she couldn't keep at home. She gave me the access information, but I never went there. She said you would know when the time came.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Do you have the address?""
"I do. I'll send it to you.""
After we ended the call, I looked at Nia.
"Sweetheart, did you know about the storage unit?""
She shook her head.
"Mom never told me.""
I sat beside her.
"Your aunt might be able to help us understand what happened.""
Nia looked down at her hands.
"Dad, did Vanessa know Mom?""
I hesitated.
"Apparently, yes.""
"Then why did she marry you?""
The question hit harder than anything Laura had said.
I pulled my daughter closer.
"I don't know yet.""
That afternoon, I called my attorney and arranged for him to document everything we'd found.
I also contacted the jewelry store and asked them to preserve the locket.
Then I called the police non-emergency line to report the suspected forgery and unauthorized sale of inherited property.
By six o'clock, Laura had sent the storage facility's address.
It was on the outskirts of town, about forty minutes from our house.
I decided we would go the following morning with Mr. Harris.
But at 8:17 p.m., my phone rang again.
It was Tyler.
My stepson.
"Daniel?""
His voice sounded frightened.
"Tyler, what's wrong?""
"Mom came home.""
I stood up.
"Where are you?""
"At the house. She told Madison to pack a bag.""
"Why?""
Tyler hesitated.
"She says they're going somewhere.""
I looked toward Nia.
"Where is your mother?""
"She's in the garage. She's putting boxes in the car.""
"What kind of boxes?""
"Files. And something that looks like a jewelry case.""
My heart began pounding.
"Tyler, listen to me. Don't touch anything. Stay with Madison. I'm coming.""
Then he whispered something that made my blood turn to ice.
"Daniel, I think Mom knows you're going to the storage unit.""
I grabbed my keys.
"How?""
May you like
Tyler's voice dropped.
"Because Robert Miller is here.""
