Chapter 8: The Witness in London
I spent the## Chapter 8: The Witness in London
I spent the entire night staring at the photograph of my entire night staring at the photograph of my uncle.
Thomas Carter.
The man who had supposedly died nineteen years earlier.
The man my father had helped disappear.
And the uncle.
Thomas Carter.
The man who had supposedly died nineteen years earlier.
The man my father had helped disappear.
And the man who claimed he had seen who was driving the car that killed my mother.
By six in the morning, I had made my decision.
I was going to London.
Daniel disagreed.
Naturally.
"Evelyn, this man who claimed he had seen who was driving the car that killed my mother.
By six in the morning, I had made my decision.
I was going to London.
Daniel disagreed.
Naturally.
"Evelyn, this is exactly the kind of situation where people get hurt.""
I stood beside the conference room window at Carter Holdings, holding a cup of coffee I hadn't touched.
"My uncle contacted me. He has the original certificate.""
"Or is exactly the kind of situation where people get hurt.""
I stood beside the conference room window at Carter Holdings, holding a cup of coffee I hadn't touched.
"My uncle contacted me. He has the original certificate.""
"Or someone is pretending to be your uncle.""
"The photograph is real.""
"Photographs can be old. Emails can be fabricated.""
I turned toward him.
"Then verify it.""
"We're already trying.""
"Good. And book the earliest flight.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"You're not going alone.""
"I didn't say I was.""
He looked relieved.
"Then we're someone is pretending to be your uncle.""
"The photograph is real.""
"Photographs can be old. Emails can be fabricated.""
I turned toward him.
"Then verify it.""
"We're already trying.""
"Good. And book the earliest flight.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"You're not going alone.""
"I didn't say I was.""
He looked relieved.
"Then we're agreed.""
"You're coming with me.""
"Of course.""
I almost smiled.
"You're remarkably stubborn.""
He raised an eyebrow.
"Someone has to be.""
At 9:20 that morning, my father's nurse called.
He wanted to speak to me.
I found him sitting in his study, looking through agreed.""
"You're coming with me.""
"Of course.""
I almost smiled.
"You're remarkably stubborn.""
He raised an eyebrow.
"Someone has to be.""
At 9:20 that morning, my father's nurse called.
He wanted to speak to me.
I found him sitting in his study, looking through an old photograph album.
He closed it when I entered.
"You're going to London.""
It wasn't a question.
"Yes.""
"Thomas?""
"Yes.""
He looked toward the fireplace.
"He's angry with me.""
"I an old photograph album.
He closed it when I entered.
"You're going to London.""
It wasn't a question.
"Yes.""
"Thomas?""
"Yes.""
He looked toward the fireplace.
"He's angry with me.""
"I gathered that.""
"He's entitled to be.""
I sat opposite him.
"Did you know he had the original certificate?""
"I suspected.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know gathered that.""
"He's entitled to be.""
I sat opposite him.
"Did you know he had the original certificate?""
"I suspected.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know whether he would ever give it to you.""
I studied his face.
"Do you know why he wants to meet me alone?""
My father nodded.
"Thomas never trusted lawyers.""
"Why?""
"Because twenty years ago, the lawyers who were supposed to protect your mother helped Victoria take control of her shares whether he would ever give it to you.""
I studied his face.
"Do you know why he wants to meet me alone?""
My father nodded.
"Thomas never trusted lawyers.""
"Why?""
"Because twenty years ago, the lawyers who were supposed to protect your mother helped Victoria take control of her shares.""
I frowned.
"Wasn't the transfer illegal?""
"Yes.""
"Then why wasn't it challenged?""
"Because the original certificate disappeared. Without it, every legal claim became a battle over copies and signatures.""
I leaned forward.
"Could the original prove Mom never.""
I frowned.
"Wasn't the transfer illegal?""
"Yes.""
"Then why wasn't it challenged?""
"Because the original certificate disappeared. Without it, every legal claim became a battle over copies and signatures.""
I leaned forward.
"Could the original prove Mom never transferred her shares?""
"Yes.""
He looked at me.
"And it could prove something else.""
"What?""
"That the company was never legally transferred to Victoria.""
I sat back.
"Then why did she claim she had rights to the company?""
"Because she had an agreement with me.""
"What agreement?""
He sighed.
"I transferred her shares?""
"Yes.""
He looked at me.
"And it could prove something else.""
"What?""
"That the company was never legally transferred to Victoria.""
I sat back.
"Then why did she claim she had rights to the company?""
"Because she had an agreement with me.""
"What agreement?""
He sighed.
"I promised her a percentage of the company's future profits in exchange for keeping certain information confidential.""
I stared at him.
"You paid her to stay quiet?""
"Initially, I believed it was temporary.""
"How much?""
"Three percent of annual operating profits.""
I shook my promised her a percentage of the company's future profits in exchange for keeping certain information confidential.""
I stared at him.
"You paid her to stay quiet?""
"Initially, I believed it was temporary.""
"How much?""
"Three percent of annual operating profits.""
I shook my head.
"That could be millions.""
"Yes.""
"And she kept collecting?""
He nodded.
"Until the acquisition.""
I stood.
"Then she was never protecting the company. She was protecting her income.""
My father lowered his head.
"That could be millions.""
"Yes.""
"And she kept collecting?""
He nodded.
"Until the acquisition.""
I stood.
"Then she was never protecting the company. She was protecting her income.""
My father lowered his head.
"I know.""
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Why did you let it go on?""
He looked older than I had ever seen him.
"Because every time I considered ending the arrangement, I remembered that head.
"I know.""
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Why did you let it go on?""
He looked older than I had ever seen him.
"Because every time I considered ending the arrangement, I remembered that night.""
I swallowed.
"Mom's death?""
He nodded.
"I couldn't risk losing you too.""
I wanted to tell him that his silence had already cost us something.
Trust.
But I couldn't find the words.
Instead, I reached night.""
I swallowed.
"Mom's death?""
He nodded.
"I couldn't risk losing you too.""
I wanted to tell him that his silence had already cost us something.
Trust.
But I couldn't find the words.
Instead, I reached across the desk and touched his hand.
"I'm going to find out what happened.""
He squeezed my fingers.
"Then find out everything. Even the parts that hurt.""
We landed at across the desk and touched his hand.
"I'm going to find out what happened.""
He squeezed my fingers.
"Then find out everything. Even the parts that hurt.""
We landed at Heathrow shortly after eight in the evening.
Daniel had arranged for a driver to take us to a hotel in central London.
My phone remained silent throughout the journey.
No messages from Thomas.
No new threats.
Nothing.
At 9 Heathrow shortly after eight in the evening.
Daniel had arranged for a driver to take us to a hotel in central London.
My phone remained silent throughout the journey.
No messages from Thomas.
No new threats.
Nothing.
At 9:15, I received an email.
It contained an address.
A small private residence in Richmond.
And one sentence.
Come tomorrow at eleven. Bring the photograph of your mother.
Daniel read:15, I received an email.
It contained an address.
A small private residence in Richmond.
And one sentence.
Come tomorrow at eleven. Bring the photograph of your mother.
Daniel read it over my shoulder.
"That seems reasonable.""
"Does it?""
"He could be testing whether you have the original evidence.""
I looked out at the rain-covered streets.
"Or he could simply want to see his niece.""
Daniel said nothing.
The following morning, we arrived at it over my shoulder.
"That seems reasonable.""
"Does it?""
"He could be testing whether you have the original evidence.""
I looked out at the rain-covered streets.
"Or he could simply want to see his niece.""
Daniel said nothing.
The following morning, we arrived at the address fifteen minutes early.
The house was modest, with white window frames and a small garden.
A bicycle rested against the fence.
A light was on upstairs.
I rang the bell.
No answer.
I rang again.
Then the door the address fifteen minutes early.
The house was modest, with white window frames and a small garden.
A bicycle rested against the fence.
A light was on upstairs.
I rang the bell.
No answer.
I rang again.
Then the door opened.
An older man stood in the doorway.
He wore a dark sweater and reading glasses.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then he looked at me.
"Evelyn.""
My throat tightened.
"Uncle Thomas.""
He stepped forward.
I barely had time to react before he wrapped his arms around me.
He smelled of tobacco, old books, and the opened.
An older man stood in the doorway.
He wore a dark sweater and reading glasses.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then he looked at me.
"Evelyn.""
My throat tightened.
"Uncle Thomas.""
He stepped forward.
I barely had time to react before he wrapped his arms around me.
He smelled of tobacco, old books, and the faint citrus scent I remembered from childhood.
He held me tightly.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
I closed my eyes.
"Why didn't you come home?""
He released me slowly.
"Because I wasn't safe.""
He looked at Daniel.
"And you brought someone.""
"Daniel Bennett. He's my attorney faint citrus scent I remembered from childhood.
He held me tightly.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
I closed my eyes.
"Why didn't you come home?""
He released me slowly.
"Because I wasn't safe.""
He looked at Daniel.
"And you brought someone.""
"Daniel Bennett. He's my attorney.""
Thomas studied him.
"Your father always did like surrounding himself with people who asked questions.""
Daniel offered his hand.
"Only when necessary.""
Thomas almost smiled.
"Come inside.""
The living room was filled with books and old photographs.
There was a picture of my mother on the mantel.
She looked perhaps thirty-five.""
Thomas studied him.
"Your father always did like surrounding himself with people who asked questions.""
Daniel offered his hand.
"Only when necessary.""
Thomas almost smiled.
"Come inside.""
The living room was filled with books and old photographs.
There was a picture of my mother on the mantel.
She looked perhaps thirty-five.
I stopped in front of it.
Thomas noticed.
"That was taken the year Sterling & Rowe opened its first London showroom.""
I touched the frame.
"She looks happy.""
"She was.""
He walked toward the kitchen.
"Tea?""
"Please.""
We sat around a small wooden table.
Thomas placed three cups in front of us.
Then he disappeared into a back room.
When he returned, he was.
I stopped in front of it.
Thomas noticed.
"That was taken the year Sterling & Rowe opened its first London showroom.""
I touched the frame.
"She looks happy.""
"She was.""
He walked toward the kitchen.
"Tea?""
"Please.""
We sat around a small wooden table.
Thomas placed three cups in front of us.
Then he disappeared into a back room.
When he returned, he was carrying a flat metal box.
He placed it on the table.
"This belonged to your mother.""
My heart began racing.
He opened the box.
Inside was a collection of documents wrapped in brown paper.
And beneath them was a silver-plated ownership certificate.
I recognized the name immediately.
Margaret Carter.
Majority shareholder.
Ster carrying a flat metal box.
He placed it on the table.
"This belonged to your mother.""
My heart began racing.
He opened the box.
Inside was a collection of documents wrapped in brown paper.
And beneath them was a silver-plated ownership certificate.
I recognized the name immediately.
Margaret Carter.
Majority shareholder.
Sterling & Rowe.
My hands trembled as I lifted it.
"This is the original?""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
Daniel examined the seal and the signatures.
"Do you have supporting documentationling & Rowe.
My hands trembled as I lifted it.
"This is the original?""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
Daniel examined the seal and the signatures.
"Do you have supporting documentation?""
Thomas removed another envelope.
"Everything.""
He handed it to Daniel.
Then he turned toward me.
"Your mother wanted you to have this when you were old enough.""
"Why didn't you give it to me after she died?""
"Because your father told me Victoria?""
Thomas removed another envelope.
"Everything.""
He handed it to Daniel.
Then he turned toward me.
"Your mother wanted you to have this when you were old enough.""
"Why didn't you give it to me after she died?""
"Because your father told me Victoria had people watching the house. He said if I came near you, I would put you in danger.""
"Was that true?""
Thomas looked down.
"Partly.""
"Partly?""
He took a deep breath.
"Victoria knew I had the certificate. She threatened to have me arrested for fraud. She had evidence of my involvement in the original financial transfers.""
I frowned.
"Why would she had people watching the house. He said if I came near you, I would put you in danger.""
"Was that true?""
Thomas looked down.
"Partly.""
"Partly?""
He took a deep breath.
"Victoria knew I had the certificate. She threatened to have me arrested for fraud. She had evidence of my involvement in the original financial transfers.""
I frowned.
"Why would she have evidence against you?""
"Because I helped establish some of the companies she used.""
"Did you know they were fraudulent?""
"Not at first.""
He looked at me.
"But when I found out, I should have gone to the authorities.""
"Why didn't you?""
"Because I was a coward.""
The honesty in his voice surprised me.
He continued have evidence against you?""
"Because I helped establish some of the companies she used.""
"Did you know they were fraudulent?""
"Not at first.""
He looked at me.
"But when I found out, I should have gone to the authorities.""
"Why didn't you?""
"Because I was a coward.""
The honesty in his voice surprised me.
He continued.
"I disappeared because Richard helped me. We arranged for the authorities to believe I had died in a boating accident. A man who had already passed away was mistakenly identified as me through incomplete records.""
I stared at him.
"Was my father responsible for that?""
"He arranged the.
"I disappeared because Richard helped me. We arranged for the authorities to believe I had died in a boating accident. A man who had already passed away was mistakenly identified as me through incomplete records.""
I stared at him.
"Was my father responsible for that?""
"He arranged the paperwork. I agreed to it.""
I felt sick.
"Both of you let me believe you were dead.""
Thomas lowered his head.
"I know.""
I took a breath.
"Tell me about the night Mom died.""
His face changed.
He walked to paperwork. I agreed to it.""
I felt sick.
"Both of you let me believe you were dead.""
Thomas lowered his head.
"I know.""
I took a breath.
"Tell me about the night Mom died.""
His face changed.
He walked to the window and looked outside.
"Margaret called me at 8:12 p.m. She said she had found evidence that Victoria had forged the share transfer.""
I gripped the certificate.
"She knew?""
"Yes. She had discovered that someone had created a document using an old signature from a previous agreement.""
"Whose signature?""
" the window and looked outside.
"Margaret called me at 8:12 p.m. She said she had found evidence that Victoria had forged the share transfer.""
I gripped the certificate.
"She knew?""
"Yes. She had discovered that someone had created a document using an old signature from a previous agreement.""
"Whose signature?""
"Your father's.""
I frowned.
"Was it forged?""
Thomas nodded.
"Richard had signed an authorization years earlier, but the document had been altered. It made it appear that he had approved the transfer of Margaret's controlling shares.""
"Did Dad knowYour father's.""
I frowned.
"Was it forged?""
Thomas nodded.
"Richard had signed an authorization years earlier, but the document had been altered. It made it appear that he had approved the transfer of Margaret's controlling shares.""
"Did Dad know?""
"Not initially. When he discovered it, he confronted Victoria.""
"And then?""
"Margaret wanted to meet him at the warehouse. She asked me to come too.""
I leaned forward.
"What happened?""
Thomas looked at me.
"I arrived shortly after nine. Victoria was there?""
"Not initially. When he discovered it, he confronted Victoria.""
"And then?""
"Margaret wanted to meet him at the warehouse. She asked me to come too.""
I leaned forward.
"What happened?""
Thomas looked at me.
"I arrived shortly after nine. Victoria was there. Richard was there. Your mother was standing beside her car.""
He paused.
"She was furious.""
"What did she say?""
"She told them she was taking the evidence to the authorities the next morning.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"And?""
"Victoria told her she would regret it.""
Thomas's voice dropped.
"Richard tried to calm everyone. Richard was there. Your mother was standing beside her car.""
He paused.
"She was furious.""
"What did she say?""
"She told them she was taking the evidence to the authorities the next morning.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"And?""
"Victoria told her she would regret it.""
Thomas's voice dropped.
"Richard tried to calm everyone down. He asked Margaret to give him twenty-four hours.""
"Did she agree?""
"No.""
He looked at the certificate in my hands.
"She handed me the original ownership document and told me to keep it safe.""
"Then she left?""
" down. He asked Margaret to give him twenty-four hours.""
"Did she agree?""
"No.""
He looked at the certificate in my hands.
"She handed me the original ownership document and told me to keep it safe.""
"Then she left?""
"Yes.""
I swallowed.
"Who followed her?""
Thomas looked directly at me.
"Victoria.""
I felt the room tilt.
"Are you certain?""
"I saw her get into a black Mercedes. She followed Margaret out of the warehouse.""
"WhatYes.""
I swallowed.
"Who followed her?""
Thomas looked directly at me.
"Victoria.""
I felt the room tilt.
"Are you certain?""
"I saw her get into a black Mercedes. She followed Margaret out of the warehouse.""
"What happened next?""
Thomas closed his eyes.
"I heard a phone ring. Richard answered it. Then he ran outside.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"Because Victoria called him.""
"What did she say?""
Thomas's voice became barely audible.
"She said Margaret had been involved in an accident.""
I gripped the table.
"Did you see happened next?""
Thomas closed his eyes.
"I heard a phone ring. Richard answered it. Then he ran outside.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"Because Victoria called him.""
"What did she say?""
Thomas's voice became barely audible.
"She said Margaret had been involved in an accident.""
I gripped the table.
"Did you see the accident?""
"No.""
"Then how do you know Victoria was involved?""
He reached into the metal box and removed a small envelope.
"Because I found something the following morning.""
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph of a damaged black Mercedes.
The front bumper was crushed.
A broken headlight hung from its casing.
I stared at the accident?""
"No.""
"Then how do you know Victoria was involved?""
He reached into the metal box and removed a small envelope.
"Because I found something the following morning.""
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph of a damaged black Mercedes.
The front bumper was crushed.
A broken headlight hung from its casing.
I stared at the license plate.
It was registered to Langford Advisory Group.
Daniel immediately took a photograph.
"Where did you get this?""
"From a mechanic who repaired the vehicle. He called me because he recognized the car.""
"Was there a police report?""
Thomas the license plate.
It was registered to Langford Advisory Group.
Daniel immediately took a photograph.
"Where did you get this?""
"From a mechanic who repaired the vehicle. He called me because he recognized the car.""
"Was there a police report?""
Thomas nodded.
"But the vehicle was registered under a different company name. The repair was recorded as damage from a parking collision.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Did you report it?""
"No. Richard begged me not to.""
"Why?""
Thomas looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Because Victoria told him she had enough evidence to make him look nodded.
"But the vehicle was registered under a different company name. The repair was recorded as damage from a parking collision.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Did you report it?""
"No. Richard begged me not to.""
"Why?""
Thomas looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Because Victoria told him she had enough evidence to make him look like the person responsible.""
I went still.
"What?""
"She said she would claim Richard had been following Margaret. She threatened to destroy his reputation and send him to prison.""
"Was he following her?""
Thomas shook his head.
"Not that night.""
I looked down.
Then I asked the question I had like the person responsible.""
I went still.
"What?""
"She said she would claim Richard had been following Margaret. She threatened to destroy his reputation and send him to prison.""
"Was he following her?""
Thomas shook his head.
"Not that night.""
I looked down.
Then I asked the question I had been afraid to ask.
"Did Victoria kill my mother?""
Thomas's eyes filled.
"I believe she deliberately caused the accident.""
The room fell silent.
I couldn't breathe.
Daniel placed a been afraid to ask.
"Did Victoria kill my mother?""
Thomas's eyes filled.
"I believe she deliberately caused the accident.""
The room fell silent.
I couldn't breathe.
Daniel placed a hand on my shoulder.
Thomas continued.
"There's something else. Margaret called me shortly before she died. She was still alive after the collision.""
My head snapped up.
"What?""
"She called me from her phone. She said she hand on my shoulder.
Thomas continued.
"There's something else. Margaret called me shortly before she died. She was still alive after the collision.""
My head snapped up.
"What?""
"She called me from her phone. She said she couldn't see properly and that she was afraid.""
I covered my mouth.
"What did she say?""
Thomas's voice broke.
"She told me to protect you.""
I started crying.
He reached across the table.
"I tried, sweetheart. I swear I tried.""
I pulled my hand away.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because couldn't see properly and that she was afraid.""
I covered my mouth.
"What did she say?""
Thomas's voice broke.
"She told me to protect you.""
I started crying.
He reached across the table.
"I tried, sweetheart. I swear I tried.""
I pulled my hand away.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because when I arrived at the hospital, Richard was already there. He told me Margaret had died.""
"But she hadn't?""
Thomas shook his head.
"She was still alive. Barely.""
My heart pounded.
"How do you know?""
He looked at me.
"Because I heard her speaking to when I arrived at the hospital, Richard was already there. He told me Margaret had died.""
"But she hadn't?""
Thomas shook his head.
"She was still alive. Barely.""
My heart pounded.
"How do you know?""
He looked at me.
"Because I heard her speaking to your father.""
I leaned forward.
"What did she say?""
Thomas swallowed.
"She asked him to tell you that she loved you. Then she asked him to make sure Victoria never controlled Sterling & Rowe.""
I wiped my cheeks.
"And Dad promised?""
"Yes.""
Thomas looked away.
"But he didn't keep your father.""
I leaned forward.
"What did she say?""
Thomas swallowed.
"She asked him to tell you that she loved you. Then she asked him to make sure Victoria never controlled Sterling & Rowe.""
I wiped my cheeks.
"And Dad promised?""
"Yes.""
Thomas looked away.
"But he didn't keep that promise.""
I stared at the certificate.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since I first saw the photograph.
"Who was driving the car?""
Thomas hesitated.
His expression changed.
And when he finally answered, I wished he hadn't.
"Victoria wasn't driving.""
I stared at him.
"Then who was?""
He looked directly into that promise.""
I stared at the certificate.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since I first saw the photograph.
"Who was driving the car?""
Thomas hesitated.
His expression changed.
And when he finally answered, I wished he hadn't.
"Victoria wasn't driving.""
I stared at him.
"Then who was?""
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Martin Collins.""
My stomach dropped.
The same man who had stood in the boutique pretending to investigate the mistreatment of customers.
The same man who my eyes.
"Martin Collins.""
My stomach dropped.
The same man who had stood in the boutique pretending to investigate the mistreatment of customers.
The same man who had disappeared when the questions became uncomfortable.
I stood.
"Then we have to go to the police.""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
Daniel gathered the documents.
"We'll need a formal statement had disappeared when the questions became uncomfortable.
I stood.
"Then we have to go to the police.""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
Daniel gathered the documents.
"We'll need a formal statement and an examination of the vehicle records.""
Thomas looked toward the window.
"There's a problem.""
"What?""
He pointed toward the street.
A dark car had stopped outside the house.
Two men stepped out.
One approached the garden gate.
The other looked directly at the living and an examination of the vehicle records.""
Thomas looked toward the window.
"There's a problem.""
"What?""
He pointed toward the street.
A dark car had stopped outside the house.
Two men stepped out.
One approached the garden gate.
The other looked directly at the living room window.
Thomas went pale.
"They found me.""
Daniel stood immediately.
"Do you recognize them?""
Thomas nodded.
"One of them worked for Victoria.""
Then the doorbell rang.
Once.
Twice.
And a man's voice came from outside.
"Mr. Carter. We know you're in room window.
Thomas went pale.
"They found me.""
Daniel stood immediately.
"Do you recognize them?""
Thomas nodded.
"One of them worked for Victoria.""
Then the doorbell rang.
Once.
Twice.
And a man's voice came from outside.
"Mr. Carter. We know you're in there.""
I looked at Daniel.
He reached for his phone.
Thomas grabbed my arm.
"Whatever happens, don't let them take that certificate.""
Then the man outside spoke again.
"Ms. Carter, we know you have it.""
A pause.
"Your mother should have handed it there.""
I looked at Daniel.
He reached for his phone.
Thomas grabbed my arm.
"Whatever happens, don't let them take that certificate.""
Then the man outside spoke again.
"Ms. Carter, we know you have it.""
A pause.
May you like
"Your mother should have handed it over twenty years ago.""
over twenty years ago.""
