Chapter 8: The Man Behind The Parker Name
The man I should fear was sitting in my office two days later.
Arthur Parker.
Vanessa’s father.
He looked exactly like the kind of man who believed the world belonged to him.
Perfect suit.
Expensive watch.
A smile that never reached his eyes.
“Ethan Bennett.””
I stayed behind my desk.
“Arthur Parker.””
He smiled.
“You’ve done well.””
“I didn’t invite you.””
“No.””
He sat down anyway.
“You inherited your father’s stubbornness.””
My jaw tightened.
“You knew him.””
Arthur smiled.
“Everyone knew Thomas Bennett.””
Hearing my father’s name from his mouth felt wrong.
“You made him disappear.””
Arthur leaned back.
“That’s a serious accusation.””
“It’s the truth.””
He laughed softly.
“You have no idea what the truth is.””
I placed my father’s letter on the desk.
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“You recognize it.””
“No.””
“You do.””
Arthur stood.
“You’re playing with things you don’t understand.””
I stepped forward.
“Then explain.””
He looked at me.
“Your father wasn’t a hero.””
The words hung between us.
“He was a thief.””
I almost laughed.
“My father exposed your crimes.””
“No.””
Arthur’s smile returned.
“Your father stole something from me.””
“What?””
“The key.””
I froze.
“You know about it.””
“Of course.””
“Where is it?””
I smiled.
“So that’s why you’re here.””
Arthur’s expression hardened.
“You think you’re clever.””
“No.””
I looked him directly in the eye.
“I think you’re scared.””
For the first time, his mask cracked.
Only slightly.
But enough.
He left without another word.
That evening, Richard called.
“Ethan.””
His voice was urgent.
“You need to leave your office.””
“Why?””
“Because Arthur knows where you are.””
I looked outside.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
“Richard…”
“He’s not coming for the hotel.””
I watched the vehicle.
“He’s coming for you.””
The office lights flickered.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Arthur’s voice came through.
“You should have listened to your mother.””
The line went dead.
A second later, my computer turned on by itself.
A single file appeared on the screen.
A video.
Recorded fifteen years ago.
I clicked play.
And I saw my father.
Alive.
Sitting in a dark room.
Looking directly into the camera.
“Ethan…”
May you like
My heart stopped.
“If you’re watching this, it means they found you.””
