Chapter 8: The Night Richard Williams Died
Detective Harris ordered everyone into the living room.
Derek sat between two officers, his wrists secured behind his back. He looked strangely calm for someone who had just been caught breaking into a house.
Marcus stood beside the fireplace.
Claire sat on the sofa, gripping her handbag.
Olivia had moved closer to her brother.
"Start talking," Marcus demanded.
Derek smiled.
"You're asking the wrong person.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Then tell me who I should ask.""
Derek looked at Claire.
"Your aunt.""
Marcus turned.
Claire lowered her eyes.
"Claire?""
She didn't answer.
Derek laughed.
"She knows what happened. She was there.""
Marcus stared at his aunt.
"You told me Thomas killed my mother.""
Claire nodded slowly.
"He did.""
"Then why does Derek keep saying you know what happened to Dad?""
Claire's hands trembled.
"Because your father discovered the truth.""
"What truth?""
She looked at him.
"That Thomas wasn't working alone.""
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
"Who else?""
Claire swallowed.
"Me.""
The room fell silent.
Olivia stepped backward.
Marcus stared at his aunt.
"What?""
Claire began crying.
"I didn't know what Thomas was planning when I first helped him. He told me he wanted to recover the money Richard had stolen from Eleanor's company.""
Marcus shook his head.
"You helped him?""
"I believed him.""
"How?""
"Because I was angry. I had lost my sister. Michael had lost his career.
Your father had shut us out of your lives. Thomas convinced me that Richard deserved to pay.""
Marcus stared at her.
"So you helped him steal the inheritance?""
Claire nodded.
"I signed documents. I arranged meetings. I gave Robert information about the estate.""
Olivia covered her mouth.
Marcus looked toward Detective Harris.
"Can we take her statement?""
The detective nodded.
"That's why we're here.""
Claire wiped her face.
"But I never wanted Richard dead.""
Derek laughed.
"Of course you didn't.""
Claire looked at him.
"You said he would only be threatened.""
Derek shrugged.
"Plans change.""
Marcus turned toward him.
"What happened?""
Derek leaned back.
"Your father was getting ready to expose everyone. He had the original ledger, the updated will, and enough evidence to send Thomas to prison.""
Marcus stared.
"And you?""
"I was paid to make sure those documents never reached Daniel Brooks.""
"By whom?""
Derek smiled.
"Ask your uncle.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"Mr. Miller, we already have enough evidence to charge you with burglary and conspiracy. If you want to cooperate, now would be a good time.""
Derek looked at the detective.
"Do you have the recording?""
Harris frowned.
"What recording?""
Derek laughed.
"Then you have nothing.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"What recording?""
Derek looked at him.
"The one your father made the night he died.""
Marcus felt his heart pound.
"What?""
Derek shrugged.
"Richard knew someone was coming for him. He recorded a conversation.""
"Where is it?""
"Thomas has it.""
Marcus looked at Claire.
She was crying silently.
"Did you know?""
Claire nodded.
"Your father called me that night.""
Marcus stared.
"What did he say?""
"He told me to come to the hospital. He said he had something important to show me.""
"Did you go?""
Claire nodded.
"And?""
"I arrived after Thomas.""
Marcus's stomach tightened.
"What happened?""
Claire closed her eyes.
"Your father was awake. He was frightened. He told me Thomas had discovered the original will and wanted him to sign another document.""
"What document?""
"A statement claiming the inheritance belonged to Thomas.""
Marcus shook his head.
"Why would Dad sign that?""
"He wouldn't. That's why Thomas threatened to reveal something.""
Claire paused.
"Something about your mother.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"What?""
"Thomas told Richard that he had proof Richard was involved in Eleanor's death.""
Marcus stared.
"That's impossible.""
"Richard knew he hadn't arranged the accident. But he had covered up the financial investigation. He had allowed Thomas to manipulate the evidence.""
Marcus looked sick.
His father had known more than he'd admitted.
"Did Thomas kill him?""
Claire looked at Derek.
Derek finally stopped smiling.
"Your father had a heart condition," he said.
Marcus turned.
"What does that have to do with anything?""
Derek shrugged.
"Thomas knew exactly which medication Richard needed. He also knew what would happen if the medication was withheld.""
Marcus felt cold.
"Are you saying he stopped Dad from getting his medication?""
Derek nodded.
"That's what happened.""
Claire began sobbing.
"I arrived too late.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because Thomas threatened to destroy the evidence about my sister's death. And because I was afraid he would come after you and Olivia.""
Marcus looked toward the floor.
His father had died in a hospital.
Surrounded by doctors.
And yet someone had apparently allowed him to die.
"Was it recorded?"" he asked.
Derek nodded.
"Yes.""
"Where?""
Derek looked toward the staircase.
"Your father's study.""
Marcus turned.
"What?""
"The recording is hidden inside the old grandfather clock.""
Marcus remembered the clock.
It had stood in his father's study for thirty years.
He'd never thought to examine it.
Detective Harris stood.
"Officers, secure the house. Nobody touches anything until the forensic team arrives.""
Marcus looked at him.
"I need to hear that recording.""
"We'll retrieve it properly.""
Derek laughed.
"You're wasting your time.""
Harris turned.
"Why?""
"Because Thomas already has the original.""
Marcus stared at Derek.
"Then why tell us about it?""
Derek smiled.
"Because I made a copy.""
An hour later, a technician recovered a small memory card from the clock.
Detective Harris placed it inside a protective case.
"We'll need to verify its authenticity.""
Marcus nodded.
"Play it.""
The detective hesitated.
"Mr. Williams—"
"Please.""
Harris connected the memory card to a laptop.
A recording appeared.
The date was six years earlier.
The sound was poor, but the voices were recognizable.
Richard's voice came first.
"Thomas, you can't do this.""
Then another voice.
Thomas.
"You're making this more difficult than it needs to be.""
Richard coughed.
"You killed Eleanor.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
Thomas answered calmly.
"She was going to destroy everything.""
"She was your family.""
"She was going to send me to prison.""
Richard's breathing became uneven.
"Marcus will find out.""
Thomas laughed.
"Marcus believes whatever you tell him.""
A long pause followed.
Then Richard spoke again.
"You have already taken enough.""
Thomas replied:
"Not enough.""
Marcus gripped the edge of the table.
Richard continued.
"The will is signed. Daniel has instructions. You won't get the company.""
Thomas's voice became colder.
"Then we'll have to make sure Daniel never receives it.""
There was a noise.
Something being moved.
Then Richard spoke again.
"Don't touch my medication.""
Silence.
A door closed.
The recording continued for another thirty seconds.
Then came a voice Marcus didn't recognize.
A woman's voice.
"Thomas?""
Thomas answered.
"Claire?""
Marcus turned toward his aunt.
She was crying.
On the recording, Thomas said:
"Get out. You shouldn't be here.""
The woman replied:
"He's not breathing properly.""
Thomas answered:
"Then call the nurse.""
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Marcus looked at Claire.
"That was you?""
She nodded.
"I didn't know he had already stopped taking his medication.""
"You were there.""
"Yes.""
"And you left?""
Claire covered her face.
"I was terrified.""
Marcus turned away.
He wanted to scream.
He wanted to throw something.
He wanted his father back.
Instead, he stood silently while Detective Harris saved the recording.
Then Harris's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And his expression changed.
"What do you mean he has a warrant?""
He turned toward Marcus.
"Thomas Williams has just attempted to leave the country.""
Marcus felt his heartbeat quicken.
"Where is he?""
"At a private airport in New Jersey.""
"Arrest him.""
"We're already moving.""
Marcus looked at the detective.
"There's something else you should know.""
Harris waited.
"My father left a new will. Thomas stole it.""
The detective nodded.
"We'll include that in the investigation.""
But Claire suddenly stood.
"Wait.""
Everyone turned.
She reached into her handbag and removed a small photograph.
It showed Thomas standing beside a private jet.
The photograph was recent.
Very recent.
Marcus stared.
"Where did you get this?""
"From someone who works at the airport.""
Claire pointed to the man standing behind Thomas.
A familiar face.
Marcus recognized him immediately.
Daniel Brooks.
His attorney.
His father's former attorney.
The man who had been helping him uncover the missing inheritance.
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
"That's Daniel.""
Claire nodded.
"He has been meeting Thomas for months.""
Marcus shook his head.
"No.""
Claire placed another photograph beside it.
This one showed Daniel handing Thomas a document.
Marcus recognized the signature at the bottom.
His own.
The same signature that had appeared on the fraudulent marriage certificate.
Detective Harris took the photograph.
"Mr. Williams, we need to locate your attorney immediately.""
Marcus looked at the image.
Then his phone rang.
Daniel.
Marcus answered.
"Where are you?""
Daniel sounded strangely calm.
"At your father's old office.""
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Why are you meeting Thomas?""
There was a pause.
Then Daniel sighed.
"I was hoping you wouldn't find out this way.""
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
"How long?""
"Since before your father died.""
Marcus stared at the photographs.
Daniel continued.
"There's something your father never told you, Marcus.""
"What?""
"Your inheritance wasn't stolen because Thomas wanted the money.""
A pause.
"It was stolen because your father left you something much more valuable.""
Marcus swallowed.
"What?""
Daniel's answer came quietly.
May you like
"Control of the company.""
Then the call ended.
