Chapter 8: The Man Who Knew My Father
I didn’t trust Richard Vale.
Everything inside me screamed not to meet him.
But there was one thing I couldn’t ignore.
He knew something about my father.
And my father had always been the one person who could see through people before anyone else.
If Richard was afraid of what my father knew, then I needed to know too.
The meeting took place at an empty restaurant outside the city.
No customers.
No staff nearby.
Just Richard sitting at a table near the window.
He looked relaxed.
Almost amused.
“You came.””
“I came because you mentioned my father.””
He motioned toward the chair.
“Sit.””
I remained standing.
“You’re in no position to give me orders.””
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
“You sound exactly like him.””
“Like who?””
“Your father.””
I sat down.
“What did you know about him?””
Richard folded his hands.
“Your father was smarter than people realized.””
“He was a farmer.””
“No.””
Richard shook his head.
“He was a businessman who chose a different life.””
I said nothing.
He continued.
“Your father discovered that Willowbrook sits on land with resources far more valuable than crops.””
I remembered the letter.
Something hidden.
“What resources?””
Richard looked around.
“Mineral rights.””
My heart skipped.
“What?””
“Years ago, surveys discovered valuable deposits beneath the property.””
I stared at him.
“Then why didn’t my father sell?””
“Because he believed the land belonged to the family, not whoever offered the biggest check.””
That sounded exactly like him.
My father had always said money could buy things.
But it couldn’t buy meaning.
“So you wanted the land.””
“I wanted an agreement.””
“You wanted control.””
Richard smiled slightly.
“Control is what people call it when they lose.””
I leaned forward.
“You manipulated Stephanie.””
“I didn’t create her.””
That answer bothered me.
Because it was true.
Richard didn’t make Stephanie cruel.
He simply found a way to use it.
“She believed she deserved more,” he said.
“She believed she deserved my family’s home.””
“Yes.””
I felt anger rise.
“Why tell me this?””
Richard looked at me.
“Because Stephanie has become a problem.””
I laughed.
“You’re turning on your partner?””
“She’s reckless.””
“You’re all criminals.””
His expression remained calm.
“Careful with accusations.””
“You forged documents.””
“You’ll have to prove that.””
The confidence in his voice made my stomach turn.
He believed he was untouchable.
“Why did you really call me?””
Richard reached into his briefcase.
He placed a folder on the table.
Inside were photographs.
My father.
Daniel Mercer.
Thomas Whitmore.
Standing together twenty-five years ago.
I stared.
“What is this?””
“Your father knew Daniel and Thomas were working together.””
“Then why did he trust them?””
“He didn’t.””
I looked up.
Richard’s voice lowered.
“Your father was preparing to expose them.””
My heart raced.
“Then what happened?””
Richard looked away.
“Your father’s accident happened.””
The restaurant suddenly felt colder.
I had always been told my father’s death was just bad luck.
A storm.
A tragic accident.
But now everything felt different.
“You’re saying someone caused it?””
“I’m saying your father discovered something dangerous.””
I stood.
“You expect me to believe you?””
“No.””
Richard looked directly at me.
“I expect you to investigate.””
I grabbed the folder.
“Why help me?””
His answer came instantly.
“Because when this is over, I want Stephanie and Thomas destroyed too.””
I stopped.
“You’re not helping me.””
“No.””
He smiled.
“We’re using each other.””
I left the restaurant with the folder in my hand.
When I returned to Willowbrook, Margaret was waiting.
She looked worried.
“Charles, someone came by.””
“Who?””
She handed me a letter.
“He said it was from your father.””
My heart stopped.
“My father died twelve years ago.””
“I know.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sentence.
*The person you trust most is the one who knows the truth.*
I looked at my mother.
Then at the names in the photograph.
Daniel.
Thomas.
Richard.
And one more person.
May you like
Someone I had never suspected.
Someone who had been protecting me my entire life.
