Chapter 8 - THE FATHER’S SECRET
Thomas sat down slowly.
Nathaniel remained standing.
“Tell me.”
Thomas looked twenty years older.
“Your father didn’t die because nobody saw the aneurysm.”
Nathaniel’s hands tightened.
“What does that mean?”
“He knew.”
Silence.
“He was diagnosed six months earlier.”
Nathaniel stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“No.”
“Why wasn’t I told?”
“Because he ordered us not to tell you.”
Nathaniel turned away.
His father, Charles Cross, had died during a board retreat.
Nathaniel was twenty-nine.
Adrian twenty-four.
The death had been sudden.
At least, that was what they believed.
Thomas continued.
“Victor wanted Charles to step down.”
“Because of the aneurysm?”
“Partly.”
Thomas swallowed.
“Charles had discovered Victor was taking kickbacks from contractors.”
Nathaniel looked toward Margaret.
She had gone pale.
Thomas said, “Charles planned to report him after the retreat.”
“And?”
“The night before he died, they argued.”
Nathaniel whispered, “Did Victor kill him?”
“I don’t know.”
Nathaniel slammed his palm onto the table.
“You’ve known this for twelve years?”
“I knew they argued. I knew Charles was afraid of him. I never had proof of murder.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because your father made me promise.”
“That promise died with him!”
Thomas flinched.
“Yes.”
The room went silent.
Nathaniel walked out.
I found him twenty minutes later on the terrace.
Snow had begun falling lightly over the lawn.
He stood without a coat.
I brought one.
He didn’t turn.
“I spent twelve years thinking my father simply ran out of time.”
I placed the coat beside him.
“Maybe he did.”
Nathaniel laughed bitterly.
“You’re defending him?”
“No.”
I looked at the dark trees.
“I’m saying even if Victor contributed to what happened, your father still made choices.”
Nathaniel looked at me.
“He hid the truth from his sons.”
“Yes.”
“Thomas hid it.”
“Yes.”
“Everyone thinks secrets protect people.”
I thought about Lily.
“Sometimes we hide things because we’re afraid truth will hurt someone.”
“And does it?”
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“But hidden truth usually hurts longer.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Nathaniel asked quietly, “How did Lily’s father die?”
The question surprised me.
“He didn’t.”
Nathaniel turned.
“He left.”
“When?”
“When I was pregnant.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.”
That made him blink.
“I was for a long time.”
I continued.
“Then I realized abandonment isn’t proof the abandoned person lacks value.”
Nathaniel looked toward the guesthouse window where Lily’s silhouette moved behind the curtain.
“You taught yourself that?”
“Lily taught me.”
He smiled faintly.
Inside, investigators continued digging.
Victor had manipulated Cross Meridian through shell companies for years.
Richard acted as his financial inside man.
Vanessa was recruited later through her father.
But then the situation changed.
Richard began stealing for himself.
He kept records in case Victor betrayed him.
Victor discovered the flash drive.
Richard died.
Police still lacked enough evidence to arrest Victor.
They needed something direct.
The answer came from Vanessa.
She called Nathaniel.
Not to apologize.
To bargain.
“I can give you Victor.”
Nathaniel put her on speaker.
“What do you want?”
“Immunity.”
Margaret answered.
“You’re not negotiating immunity with us.”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Then protection.”
“From Victor?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Nathaniel asked, “Why?”
“Because Richard called me the night he died.”
Everyone froze.
“What did he say?”
Vanessa’s breathing shook.
“He said Victor was cleaning up.”
“Meaning?”
“He said I was next.”
Nathaniel looked at Margaret.
“Where are you?”
Vanessa whispered:
“At the old Cross Meridian hotel downtown.”
Nathaniel frowned.
“That building is closed.”
“I know.”
“Why are you there?”
“Because Victor told me to come alone.”
My stomach dropped.
Nathaniel said, “Leave.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
Her next words came as a whisper.
“He has my father.”
Then a man’s voice sounded behind her.
“Vanessa.”
May you like
The call ended.
---
