Chapter 9: The Price of Silence
Daniel stared at Vanessa.
"What did you just say?""
Vanessa pulled out a chair.
"I said your father paid me to keep quiet.""
Robert Hayes wasn't in the room.
But his name had just just say?""
Vanessa pulled out a chair.
"I said your father paid me to keep quiet.""
Robert Hayes wasn't in the room.
But his name had just become part of the conversation.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Don't you dare drag my father into this.""
Vanessa opened become part of the conversation.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Don't you dare drag my father into this.""
Vanessa opened the folder.
"Then perhaps you should ask him why he paid me.""
Harris moved closer.
"Ms. Reed, you the folder.
"Then perhaps you should ask him why he paid me.""
Harris moved closer.
"Ms. Reed, you will answer questions through the proper process. You are not here to make accusations without evidence.""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"I have evidence.""
She removed a bank transfer will answer questions through the proper process. You are not here to make accusations without evidence.""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"I have evidence.""
She removed a bank transfer confirmation.
Then she slid it across the table.
Daniel picked it up.
His face changed.
The confirmation.
Then she slid it across the table.
Daniel picked it up.
His face changed.
The payment was for $25,000.
The sender was listed payment was for $25,000.
The sender was listed as Robert Hayes.
The recipient was Vanessa Reed.
The date as Robert Hayes.
The recipient was Vanessa Reed.
The date was four years earlier.
I looked at the document.
"Why did he pay you?""
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Because I knew what happened was four years earlier.
I looked at the document.
"Why did he pay you?""
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Because I knew what happened.""
"What happened?""
She leaned back.
"Your father wasn't the only person Richard used. Robert knew about the forged documents. He knew my father was moving money through accounts that didn't belong to him.""
Daniel shook his head.
"That's impossible.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Is it? Ask him.""
Daniel turned toward Harris.
"Can we.""
"What happened?""
She leaned back.
"Your father wasn't the only person Richard used. Robert knew about the forged documents. He knew my father was moving money through accounts that didn't belong to him.""
Daniel shook his head.
"That's impossible.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Is it? Ask him.""
Daniel turned toward Harris.
"Can we call my father?""
Harris nodded.
"Go ahead. Put him on speaker.""
Daniel dialled.
Robert answered after two rings.
"Daniel?""
"Why did call my father?""
Harris nodded.
"Go ahead. Put him on speaker.""
Daniel dialled.
Robert answered after two rings.
"Daniel?""
"Why did you pay Vanessa Reed twenty-five thousand you pay Vanessa Reed twenty-five thousand dollars four years ago?""
Silence.
Then Robert said, "Where did you get that?""
Daniel looked dollars four years ago?""
Silence.
Then Robert said, "Where did you get that?""
Daniel looked at the document.
"She just showed it to us.""
Another pause.
" at the document.
"She just showed it to us.""
Another pause.
"Put me on speaker.""
Daniel did.
Robert's voice filled the roomPut me on speaker.""
Daniel did.
Robert's voice filled the room.
"Vanessa, is that you?""
She smiled.
"Hello, Robert.""
"What are you doing?""
"Finishing what my father started.""
Robert's voice hardened.
"Leave Emma out of this.""
Van.
"Vanessa, is that you?""
She smiled.
"Hello, Robert.""
"What are you doing?""
"Finishing what my father started.""
Robert's voice hardened.
"Leave Emma out of this.""
Vanessa laughed.
"essa laughed.
"That's interesting. You didn't seem concerned about Emma when you transferred the money.""
I looked at Daniel.
He looked devastated.
"Why did you pay her?"" he demanded.
Robert sighed.
"Because she threatened to release the documents.""
"What documents?""
"TheThat's interesting. You didn't seem concerned about Emma when you transferred the money.""
I looked at Daniel.
He looked devastated.
"Why did you pay her?"" he demanded.
Robert sighed.
"Because she threatened to release the documents.""
"What documents?""
"The original investment records.""
"Why?""
"She said she had proof that Richard had used your name and mine in several unauthorized transactions.""
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Tell him the rest.""
Robert was silent.
Daniel's voice rose.
"Tell me!""
"She said she'd report everything unless I paid her.""
I stared at Vanessa.
"You blackmailed him?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"I protected my family.""
"By taking money?""
"By making sure the truth didn't destroy everyone.""
Harris wrote something down.
"Ms. Reed, are you admitting that you received money in exchange for original investment records.""
"Why?""
"She said she had proof that Richard had used your name and mine in several unauthorized transactions.""
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Tell him the rest.""
Robert was silent.
Daniel's voice rose.
"Tell me!""
"She said she'd report everything unless I paid her.""
I stared at Vanessa.
"You blackmailed him?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"I protected my family.""
"By taking money?""
"By making sure the truth didn't destroy everyone.""
Harris wrote something down.
"Ms. Reed, are you admitting that you received money in exchange for withholding financial documents?""
Vanessa ignored him.
She looked at Daniel.
"Your father knew my family was in trouble. He knew Richard had made mistakes. He paid me because he wanted the matter to disappear.""
Daniel's face was pale.
"Did you give him the documents?""
withholding financial documents?""
Vanessa ignored him.
She looked at Daniel.
"Your father knew my family was in trouble. He knew Richard had made mistakes. He paid me because he wanted the matter to disappear.""
Daniel's face was pale.
"Did you give him the documents?""
"No.""
"Then you took his money and kept the evidence?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"I had to protect myself.""
I looked at the transfer confirmation.
"No.""
"Then you took his money and kept the evidence?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"I had to protect myself.""
I looked at the transfer confirmation.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
Four years ago.
Two years before Daniel and I became engaged.
And Vanessa had never mentioned it.
"Why did you wait untilTwenty-five thousand dollars.
Four years ago.
Two years before Daniel and I became engaged.
And Vanessa had never mentioned it.
"Why did you wait until now?"" I asked.
She turned toward me.
"Because you were getting married.""
"That doesn't explain anything.""
"It now?"" I asked.
She turned toward me.
"Because you were getting married.""
"That doesn't explain anything.""
"It explains everything.""
She stood.
"You were about to become part of the Hayes family. You would have had access to everything. You would have been able to ask questions about the investment. explains everything.""
She stood.
"You were about to become part of the Hayes family. You would have had access to everything. You would have been able to ask questions about the investment. You might have discovered what really happened.""
I shook my head.
"I never cared about their money.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Of course you didn't.""
"You're the one who has been obsessed with it.""
Her expression hardened.
"You think you're better than me.""
"No. I You might have discovered what really happened.""
I shook my head.
"I never cared about their money.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Of course you didn't.""
"You're the one who has been obsessed with it.""
Her expression hardened.
"You think you're better than me.""
"No. I think you're lying.""
Vanessa slammed her hand against the table.
"Your father took think you're lying.""
Vanessa slammed her hand against the table.
"Your father took money from my family!""
"My father never money from my family!""
"My father never took anything from you!""
"He signed the transfer!""
"He was dead!""
Vanessa froze.
For the first time, she had no immediate answer.
I took the forged document from the table and held it up.
"Look at the date. My father had been dead for three months. You witnessed this document. You knew he couldn't took anything from you!""
"He signed the transfer!""
"He was dead!""
Vanessa froze.
For the first time, she had no immediate answer.
I took the forged document from the table and held it up.
"Look at the date. My father had been dead for three months. You witnessed this document. You knew he couldn't have signed it.""
Vanessa looked away.
Harris stepped closer.
"Ms. Reed, did you know Thomas Collins was deceased when you witnessed this document?""
She didn't answer.
"Ms. Reed?""
Finally, she said, "I was young.""
"That isn't an answer.""
"I was following instructions.""
"Whose instructions?""
Vanessa looked toward the door.
"Richard's.""
Harris nodded.
"Your father?""
She said nothing.
I looked at her.
"Then why did you spend years telling people my father was responsible?""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Because someone had to pay.""
The words hung in the room.
Daniel slowly lowered his phone.
"Someone had to pay?""
Vanessa looked at him.
"Your father lost money. My father lost everything. My family was destroyed.""
I shook my head.
"Your father forged a dead man's signature.""
"He was trying to save his business!""
"By using my father's identity?""
Vanessa's face twisted.
"You have no idea what it was like.""
I stared at her.
"My father died believing people were using his name. He left a letter begging someone to protect me from the consequences. And you spent seven years making sure nobody heard him.""
Vanessa looked down.
For a moment, I thought she might cry.
Instead, she reached into the folder and removed another photograph.
"Then perhaps you should see this.""
She placed it in front of Daniel.
It showed Robert Hayes standing outside a bank with Richard Reed.
Between them was a man I didn't recognize.
The date was six years ago.
Daniel examined the image.
"Who is that?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Your father's accountant.""
Robert's voice came through the phone.
"Vanessa, stop.""
She ignored him.
"His name was Martin Blake. He handled the investment records have signed it.""
Vanessa looked away.
Harris stepped closer.
"Ms. Reed, did you know Thomas Collins was deceased when you witnessed this document?""
She didn't answer.
"Ms. Reed?""
Finally, she said, "I was young.""
"That isn't an answer.""
"I was following instructions.""
"Whose instructions?""
Vanessa looked toward the door.
"Richard's.""
Harris nodded.
"Your father?""
She said nothing.
I looked at her.
"Then why did you spend years telling people my father was responsible?""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Because someone had to pay.""
The words hung in the room.
Daniel slowly lowered his phone.
"Someone had to pay?""
Vanessa looked at him.
"Your father lost money. My father lost everything. My family was destroyed.""
I shook my head.
"Your father forged a dead man's signature.""
"He was trying to save his business!""
"By using my father's identity?""
Vanessa's face twisted.
"You have no idea what it was like.""
I stared at her.
"My father died believing people were using his name. He left a letter begging someone to protect me from the consequences. And you spent seven years making sure nobody heard him.""
Vanessa looked down.
For a moment, I thought she might cry.
Instead, she reached into the folder and removed another photograph.
"Then perhaps you should see this.""
She placed it in front of Daniel.
It showed Robert Hayes standing outside a bank with Richard Reed.
Between them was a man I didn't recognize.
The date was six years ago.
Daniel examined the image.
"Who is that?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Your father's accountant.""
Robert's voice came through the phone.
"Vanessa, stop.""
She ignored him.
"His name was Martin Blake. He handled the investment records. He was the person who transferred the money.""
Daniel looked at his father.
"Is that true?""
Robert sighed.
"Yes.""
". He was the person who transferred the money.""
Daniel looked at his father.
"Is that true?""
Robert sighed.
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Martin disappeared.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Disappeared?""
Harris looked up.
"What do you mean?""
Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Martin disappeared.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Disappeared?""
Harris looked up.
"What do you mean?""
She folded her arms.
"Martin didn't disappear. He left the country.""
"Where?""
"London.""
I lookedShe folded her arms.
"Martin didn't disappear. He left the country.""
"Where?""
"London.""
I looked at Daniel.
"How do you know?""
Vanessa reached into the folder again.
This time, she produced a printed email.
at Daniel.
"How do you know?""
Vanessa reached into the folder again.
This time, she produced a printed email.
The sender was Martin Blake.
The recipient was Richard Reed.
The date was two weeks after my father's death.
The subject line read:
**ThomasThe sender was Martin Blake.
The recipient was Richard Reed.
The date was two weeks after my father's death.
The subject line read:
*Thomas Collins — Account Closure.*
I felt sick.
The email contained only two sentences.
The account is closed Collins — Account Closure.*
I felt sick.
The email contained only two sentences.
The account is closed. The remaining funds have been moved.
The daughter has received the money. There. The remaining funds have been moved.
The daughter has received the money. There should be no further questions.
I stared at the screen.
"My inheritance.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Emma should be no further questions.*
I stared at the screen.
"My inheritance.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Emma, that was your father's savings.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Was it?""
I turned toward her.
"What are you talking about?""
She smiled.
, that was your father's savings.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Was it?""
I turned toward her.
"What are you talking about?""
She smiled.
"Your father had more money than you knew.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"How much?""
Vanessa leaned forward"Your father had more money than you knew.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"How much?""
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Enough to make your little apartment look like pocket change.""
Daniel stepped between us.
"Stop playing games.""
.
"Enough to make your little apartment look like pocket change.""
Daniel stepped between us.
"Stop playing games.""
Vanessa ignored him.
"Your father had a second account.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"One that wasn't connected to the garage. One that Richard usedVanessa ignored him.
"Your father had a second account.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"One that wasn't connected to the garage. One that Richard used for property transactions.""
"You're lying.""
"Then ask Robert.""
Daniel looked at his father through the phone.
"Is there another account?""
Robert for property transactions.""
"You're lying.""
"Then ask Robert.""
Daniel looked at his father through the phone.
"Is there another account?""
Robert didn't answer.
"Is there?""
Finally, he whispered:
"Yes.""
I felt the room tilt.
"How much didn't answer.
"Is there?""
Finally, he whispered:
"Yes.""
I felt the room tilt.
"How much?""
Robert's voice was barely audible.
"Approximately four hundred thousand dollars.""
I stared at him.
My father had never told me about that money.
Never mentioned?""
Robert's voice was barely audible.
"Approximately four hundred thousand dollars.""
I stared at him.
My father had never told me about that money.
Never mentioned an investment account.
Never mentioned property transactions.
But I knew one thing.
He would never have hidden something like an investment account.
Never mentioned property transactions.
But I knew one thing.
He would never have hidden something like that from me unless he had a reason.
"Where is it?"" I asked.
Robert sighed.
"Richard transferred it before the that from me unless he had a reason.
"Where is it?"" I asked.
Robert sighed.
"Richard transferred it before the account was closed.""
"To whom?""
"I don't know.""
Vanessa smiled.
"I do.""
She removed a final document.
A beneficiary designation.
At the account was closed.""
"To whom?""
"I don't know.""
Vanessa smiled.
"I do.""
She removed a final document.
A beneficiary designation.
At the top was the name of a company.
Northbridge Residential.
At the bottom was a signature.
Not my father's.
Mine.
I stood.
"That's forged too top was the name of a company.
Northbridge Residential.
At the bottom was a signature.
Not my father's.
Mine.
I stood.
"That's forged too.""
Vanessa nodded.
"Perhaps.""
Harris took the document.
"Where did you obtain this?""
"From my.""
Vanessa nodded.
"Perhaps.""
Harris took the document.
"Where did you obtain this?""
"From my father's records.""
"Do you have the original?""
"No.""
"Then we'll need to verify it.""
Vanessa leaned back.
"There's no need. The money was father's records.""
"Do you have the original?""
"No.""
"Then we'll need to verify it.""
Vanessa leaned back.
"There's no need. The money was transferred years ago.""
I looked at the signature.
It resembled mine.
But I had never signed it.
I looked at Daniel.
"Did your father know about transferred years ago.""
I looked at the signature.
It resembled mine.
But I had never signed it.
I looked at Daniel.
"Did your father know about this?""
Robert answered through the phone.
"Yes.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought it was gone.""
Vanessa this?""
Robert answered through the phone.
"Yes.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought it was gone.""
Vanessa laughed.
"That's the problem with the Hayes family. Everyone thinks money disappears just because they stop looking for it.""
Harris closed laughed.
"That's the problem with the Hayes family. Everyone thinks money disappears just because they stop looking for it.""
Harris closed his folder.
"Ms. Reed, we're going to need you to accompany us for further questioning.""
Vanessa stood.
"Of course.""
She gathered his folder.
"Ms. Reed, we're going to need you to accompany us for further questioning.""
Vanessa stood.
"Of course.""
She gathered her things.
Then she turned toward me.
"You should be grateful, Emma.""
I stared at her.
"For what?""
"For making sure you finally learned the her things.
Then she turned toward me.
"You should be grateful, Emma.""
I stared at her.
"For what?""
"For making sure you finally learned the truth about your father.""
I took one step forward.
"The only truth I've learned is that you helped forge his signature truth about your father.""
I took one step forward.
"The only truth I've learned is that you helped forge his signature.""
Her smile disappeared.
She leaned closer.
"Then you haven't learned enough.""
An officer escorted her.""
Her smile disappeared.
She leaned closer.
"Then you haven't learned enough.""
An officer escorted her toward the door.
But before she left, she turned one last time.
"Ask Daniel's father where the four hundred thousand dollars went.""
Then she disappeared into the corridor.
The room toward the door.
But before she left, she turned one last time.
"Ask Daniel's father where the four hundred thousand dollars went.""
Then she disappeared into the corridor.
The room was silent.
Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
"Emma...""
I couldn't look at him.
Not yet.
was silent.
Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
"Emma...""
I couldn't look at him.
Not yet.
Because something had changed.
Until that moment, I had believed Vanessa was trying to steal my fiancé.
Now I understood she was also tryingBecause something had changed.
Until that moment, I had believed Vanessa was trying to steal my fiancé.
Now I understood she was also trying to hide a financial crime involving both our families.
And if the $400,000 had really disappeared, somebody had to hide a financial crime involving both our families.
And if the $400,000 had really disappeared, somebody had benefited.
Somebody had kept the money.
Somebody had spent seven years making sure the truth never surfaced.
My phone vibrated.
A new email benefited.
Somebody had kept the money.
Somebody had spent seven years making sure the truth never surfaced.
My phone vibrated.
A new email.
The sender was an address I didn't recognize.
The subject line read:
**Your father's real estate account —.
The sender was an address I didn't recognize.
The subject line read:
*Your father's real estate account — final beneficiary confirmation.*
I opened it.
There was one attachment.
A scanned document dated six months before my father's death.
The final beneficiary confirmation.**
I opened it.
There was one attachment.
A scanned document dated six months before my father's death.
The beneficiary wasn't Northbridge Residential.
It wasn't Richard Reed.
It wasn't Robert Hayes.
It was me.
Emma Collins.
And beneath my name was a handwritten note beneficiary wasn't Northbridge Residential.
It wasn't Richard Reed.
It wasn't Robert Hayes.
It was me.
Emma Collins.
And beneath my name was a handwritten note.
*If the account holder dies, the entire balance must be released to his daughter.*
I looked at Daniel.
"Why would my father leave me.
*If the account holder dies, the entire balance must be released to his daughter.*
I looked at Daniel.
"Why would my father leave me four hundred thousand dollars?""
He stared at the document.
Then he noticed the account number.
His expression four hundred thousand dollars?""
He stared at the document.
Then he noticed the account number.
His expression changed completely.
"Emma...""
"What?""
He pointed at the bottom of the page.
"That's not a personal savings account.""
I leaned closer.
It was changed completely.
"Emma...""
"What?""
He pointed at the bottom of the page.
"That's not a personal savings account.""
I leaned closer.
It was a trust account.
A property trust.
And the trustee's name was Robert Hayes.
Daniel looked at his phone.
Then at me.
His voice broke.
"My father a trust account.
A property trust.
And the trustee's name was Robert Hayes.
Daniel looked at his phone.
Then at me.
His voice broke.
May you like
"My father has been holding your inheritance for seven years.""
has been holding your inheritance for seven years.""
