Chapter 4: The## Chapter 4: The Woman on the Line
For Woman on the Line
For several seconds, I couldn't make several seconds, I couldn't make myself speak.
Natalie Brooks was watching myself speak.
Natalie Brooks was watching me from across her desk. The office windows me from across her desk. The office windows reflected the gray morning sky, and somewhere in the hallway reflected the gray morning sky, and somewhere in the hallway, a printer hummed through another stack of paperwork.
Everything, a printer hummed through another stack of paperwork.
Everything looked ordinary.
My life had stopped being ordinary the moment looked ordinary.
My life had stopped being ordinary the moment Evelyn Cross spoke my name.
“Are you still there, Evelyn Cross spoke my name.
“Are you still there, Victoria?”” she asked.
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“You said my Victoria?”” she asked.
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“You said my father was murdered.””
“I said he didn't die the way Damon father was murdered.””
“I said he didn't die the way Damon wanted everyone to believe.””
“That's not an answer.””
“No wanted everyone to believe.””
“That's not an answer.””
“No,” Evelyn replied.
“It isn't. And if,” Evelyn replied.
“It isn't. And if I give you the full answer over a telephone line I give you the full answer over a telephone line, you'll be in danger before you understand what you're hearing.””
I stood abruptly, you'll be in danger before you understand what you're hearing.””
I stood abruptly.
“Then tell me where to meet you.””
“Not yet.””
“Why should.
“Then tell me where to meet you.””
“Not yet.””
“Why should I trust you?””
“You shouldn't.””
Her answer silenced me.
E I trust you?””
“You shouldn't.””
Her answer silenced me.
Evelyn continued, “Trust your father'svelyn continued, “Trust your father's handwriting. Trust the records he left behind. Trust the things Damon handwriting. Trust the records he left behind.
Trust the things Damon has done, not the explanations he gives you. But don't trust me simply because I knew has done, not the explanations he gives you. But don't trust me simply because I knew your father.””
I looked at Natalie.
She had stopped writing.
your father.””
I looked at Natalie.
She had stopped writing.
“Evelyn,” I said, “if you're really alive, why did you disappear?””
“Evelyn,” I said, “if you're really alive, why did you disappear?””
A long pause followed.
“Because three years ago, DamonA long pause followed.
“Because three years ago, Damon offered me a choice. I could disappear quietly, or my daughter offered me a choice. I could disappear quietly, or my daughter would be arrested for a crime she didn't commit.””
I frowned would be arrested for a crime she didn't commit.””
I frowned.
“Your daughter?””
“Her name is Charlotte. She worked for your father's.
“Your daughter?””
“Her name is Charlotte. She worked for your father's company. Damon accused her of stealing confidential financial records.
He had fabricated emails company. Damon accused her of stealing confidential financial records. He had fabricated emails, altered access logs, and produced a statement bearing, altered access logs, and produced a statement bearing her signature.””
“I never heard about that.””
“You weren't her signature.””
“I never heard about that.””
“You weren't supposed to.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happened to her?””
“She supposed to.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happened to her?””
“She spent eleven months fighting the charges. By the time they spent eleven months fighting the charges. By the time they were dismissed, she had lost her job, her savings, and nearly every friend she had.
were dismissed, she had lost her job, her savings, and nearly every friend she had. She moved to another state.””
Evelyn's voice grew She moved to another state.””
Evelyn's voice grew quieter.
“I thought disappearing would protect her. Instead, it gave Damon room quieter.
“I thought disappearing would protect her. Instead, it gave Damon room to take everything your father had left.””
“Why didn't to take everything your father had left.””
“Why didn't you come back when the charges were dismissed?””
“Because Damon you come back when the charges were dismissed?””
“Because Damon wasn't working alone.””
I glanced toward Natalie.
“Who was helping wasn't working alone.””
I glanced toward Natalie.
“Who was helping him?””
“I can't tell you until I know whether the original ledger still exists.””
“You just him?””
“I can't tell you until I know whether the original ledger still exists.””
“You just told me it was hidden in my mother's piano.””
“I told you where told me it was hidden in my mother's piano.””
“I told you where your father said he would hide it. That doesn't mean it hasn't your father said he would hide it. That doesn't mean it hasn't been moved.””
“Damon has been living in the same house for eleven been moved.””
“Damon has been living in the same house for eleven years. He could have found it at any time.””
“He didn't know what years. He could have found it at any time.””
“He didn't know what your father had hidden there. Your father used a false compartment beneath the your father had hidden there. Your father used a false compartment beneath the piano's music stand. Only three people knew it existed.””
“Who?””
piano's music stand. Only three people knew it existed.””
“Who?””
“Your mother. Your father. And me.””
My throat tightened.
“My“Your mother. Your father. And me.””
My throat tightened.
“My mother died nine years ago.””
“I know.””
“Did she know about all this?””
“She knew enough to be afraid.””
The mother died nine years ago.””
“I know.””
“Did she know about all this?””
“She knew enough to be afraid.””
The words settled over me like ice.
I remembered my mother sitting at the piano on words settled over me like ice.
I remembered my mother sitting at the piano on quiet Sunday mornings, playing old jazz quiet Sunday mornings, playing old jazz standards while my father made coffee. I remembered her hands trembling during the final months of standards while my father made coffee. I remembered her hands trembling during the final months of her life, and how she would stop playing whenever the her life, and how she would stop playing whenever the front gate opened unexpectedly.
At the time, I thought it front gate opened unexpectedly.
At the time, I thought it was grief.
Now I wondered whether she had been waiting for someone to was grief.
Now I wondered whether she had been waiting for someone to come through that gate.
“Victoria,” Evelyn said, “you come through that gate.
“Victoria,” Evelyn said, “you need to understand something. Your father didn't hide the ledger because he wanted to keep his money need to understand something. Your father didn't hide the ledger because he wanted to keep his money safe.
He hid it because it contained evidence of what happened to him safe. He hid it because it contained evidence of what happened to him.””
“Then I'll find it.””
“Not alone.””
I looked at Natalie.
“My attorney is sitting.””
“Then I'll find it.””
“Not alone.””
I looked at Natalie.
“My attorney is sitting beside me.””
“Good. Tell her to contact the bank that handled your father's estate beside me.””
“Good. Tell her to contact the bank that handled your father's estate. Ask for the original transfer records from the month he died..
Ask for the original transfer records from the month he died. Don't mention my name.””
“Why?””
“Because someone has been watching Don't mention my name.””
“Why?””
“Because someone has been watching those accounts for three years. If they learn you're investigating, they'll know those accounts for three years. If they learn you're investigating, they'll know I contacted you.””
A sharp sound came through I contacted you.””
A sharp sound came through the phone.
A car door.
Evelyn went silent.
“ the phone.
A car door.
Evelyn went silent.
“What's happening?”” I whispered.
“Nothing. I haveWhat's happening?”” I whispered.
“Nothing. I have to go.””
“Wait. I need to know where you are.””
“Tonight, at to go.””
“Wait. I need to know where you are.””
“Tonight, at eight, I'll send you an address. Come alone, but tell eight, I'll send you an address. Come alone, but tell your attorney where you're going.””
“I won't walk into a meeting without knowing your attorney where you're going.””
“I won't walk into a meeting without knowing who else might be there.””
For the first time, I heard something who else might be there.””
For the first time, I heard something like approval in Evelyn's voice.
“Your father would have liked that answer like approval in Evelyn's voice.
“Your father would have liked that answer.””
The call ended.
I lowered my phone slowly.
Natalie removed.””
The call ended.
I lowered my phone slowly.
Natalie removed her glasses.
“Did she really claim your father was murdered?””
her glasses.
“Did she really claim your father was murdered?””
“Yes.””
“And she says the original financial records may prove it?””
“Yes.””
Natal“Yes.””
“And she says the original financial records may prove it?””
“Yes.””
Natalie reached for the documents.
“Then we proceed as though this is a serious financialie reached for the documents.
“Then we proceed as though this is a serious financial and criminal matter. We preserve every record, notify the appropriate authorities through counsel, and do not take and criminal matter. We preserve every record, notify the appropriate authorities through counsel, and do not take unnecessary risks trying to investigate it ourselves.””
“I unnecessary risks trying to investigate it ourselves.””
“I need to get to the house.””
“Victoria, your husband has need to get to the house.””
“Victoria, your husband has apparently been moving money and threatening to strip you of your assets apparently been moving money and threatening to strip you of your assets. If someone has entered your home, you should not go back without knowing whether. If someone has entered your home, you should not go back without knowing whether it's safe.””
“I can't leave the piano there.””
Natalie considered that.
“Then we'll arrange for someone it's safe.””
“I can't leave the piano there.””
Natalie considered that.
“Then we'll arrange for someone to accompany you.””
I shook my head.
“Damon knows everyone who to accompany you.””
I shook my head.
“Damon knows everyone who works for us. If he suspects I know about the ledger, he'll move works for us. If he suspects I know about the ledger, he'll move it.””
“Or destroy it.””
“Exactly.””
Natalie stared it.””
“Or destroy it.””
“Exactly.””
Natalie stared at me for a moment.
Then she picked up her phone.
“I'm calling a at me for a moment.
Then she picked up her phone.
“I'm calling a colleague who handles asset recovery and emergency preservation orders. While colleague who handles asset recovery and emergency preservation orders. While I do that, you will contact your bank and report the suspicious transfers I do that, you will contact your bank and report the suspicious transfers. You will not confront Damon about the ledger.
Are. You will not confront Damon about the ledger. Are we clear?””
“Yes.””
“And Victoria?””
I paused we clear?””
“Yes.””
“And Victoria?””
I paused at the door.
“Don't confuse courage with having to do everything yourself at the door.
“Don't confuse courage with having to do everything yourself.””
I nodded.
For the first time since the previous evening, I felt that someone was.””
I nodded.
For the first time since the previous evening, I felt that someone was standing beside me rather than waiting to see how badly I fell.
But that standing beside me rather than waiting to see how badly I fell.
But that feeling lasted only until I checked my phone.
Damon had sent six messages.
The feeling lasted only until I checked my phone.
Damon had sent six messages.
The first said he was sorry.
The second said he loved me.
The third accused me of trying first said he was sorry.
The second said he loved me.
The third accused me of trying to destroy him.
The fourth demanded that I come home.
The fifth read:
**You to destroy him.
The fourth demanded that I come home.
The fifth read:
*You have no idea what your father did to us.*
The sixth arrived while have no idea what your father did to us.**
The sixth arrived while I was staring at the others.
**If you want to know why he really I was staring at the others.
*If you want to know why he really died, ask Natalie what happened to the original estate file.*
I died, ask Natalie what happened to the original estate file.**
I turned back toward the office.
Natalie was already on the phone.
Her turned back toward the office.
Natalie was already on the phone.
Her expression changed when she saw my face.
“What is it?””
I showed her the message.
She expression changed when she saw my face.
“What is it?””
I showed her the message.
She read it, then slowly lowered the phone.
“Did Damon know read it, then slowly lowered the phone.
“Did Damon know you were coming here today?””
“I didn't tell him.””
“Did you were coming here today?””
“I didn't tell him.””
“Did he know you had copies of your father's documents?””
“I don't know.””
Natalie walked he know you had copies of your father's documents?””
“I don't know.””
Natalie walked to the window and looked down at the street.
Then she said something I would to the window and looked down at the street.
Then she said something I would remember for the rest of my life.
“Three years ago, after your father died, Damon remember for the rest of my life.
“Three years ago, after your father died, Damon asked me to certify that his estate had been settled. I refused because certain bank asked me to certify that his estate had been settled. I refused because certain bank records were missing. Two days later, my office was broken into.””
records were missing. Two days later, my office was broken into.””
I stared at her.
“You never told me.””
“The police treated it as a burglaryI stared at her.
“You never told me.””
“The police treated it as a burglary. Nothing valuable was taken, so I believed someone had been. Nothing valuable was taken, so I believed someone had been looking for documents.””
“What documents?””
She turned back toward me.
“The original ownership looking for documents.””
“What documents?””
She turned back toward me.
“The original ownership agreement for Cross Meridian Capital.””
My father's company.
The company named in the letter.
The agreement for Cross Meridian Capital.””
My father's company.
The company named in the letter.
The company whose money had apparently flowed into an account bearing my name.
“ company whose money had apparently flowed into an account bearing my name.
“Do you still have a copy?”” I asked.
“No. Your father keptDo you still have a copy?”” I asked.
“No. Your father kept the original.””
I remembered Evelyn's warning.
the original.””
I remembered Evelyn's warning.
If Evelyn is alive, trust no one who claims to be acting onIf Evelyn is alive, trust no one who claims to be acting on her behalf.*
I looked at Natalie.
“Did Damon ever contact you after that?””
Her her behalf.*
I looked at Natalie.
“Did Damon ever contact you after that?””
Her silence lasted a little too long.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Last week.””
My silence lasted a little too long.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Last week.””
My heart began pounding.
“What did he want?””
“He asked whether you heart began pounding.
“What did he want?””
“He asked whether you had ever received a sealed envelope from your father.””
I thought of the envelope had ever received a sealed envelope from your father.””
I thought of the envelope on Natalie's desk.
“For what reason?””
“He said your father had left a letter that on Natalie's desk.
“For what reason?””
“He said your father had left a letter that might contain instructions concerning your inheritance. He wanted to know whether I had a copy.””
“And what might contain instructions concerning your inheritance. He wanted to know whether I had a copy.””
“And what did you tell him?””
“That I had no knowledge of such a letter.””
I studied did you tell him?””
“That I had no knowledge of such a letter.””
I studied her face.
“Was that true?””
Natalie didn't answer immediately.
Then she opened her bottom desk drawer and removed a her face.
“Was that true?””
Natalie didn't answer immediately.
Then she opened her bottom desk drawer and removed a small, sealed evidence bag.
Inside was a brass key attached to a red plastic small, sealed evidence bag.
Inside was a brass key attached to a red plastic tag.
I recognized it instantly.
The same key Damon had placed inside the black folder.
Natalie set the tag.
I recognized it instantly.
The same key Damon had placed inside the black folder.
Natalie set the bag on the desk.
“Your father gave me this three days before he died. bag on the desk.
“Your father gave me this three days before he died. He instructed me to hold it until you asked about the original ledger.””
My mouth went dry.
“Why didn't you tell He instructed me to hold it until you asked about the original ledger.””
My mouth went dry.
“Why didn't you tell me when I came in?””
“Because I needed to know whether you had discovered the ledger independently me when I came in?””
“Because I needed to know whether you had discovered the ledger independently, or whether someone had directed you here to obtain the, or whether someone had directed you here to obtain the key.””
I stared at her.
“Evelyn said the key was hidden in the piano.””
key.””
I stared at her.
“Evelyn said the key was hidden in the piano.””
“Then she may not know your father entrusted me with a“Then she may not know your father entrusted me with a duplicate.””
Natalie pushed the evidence bag toward me.
“Victoria, your duplicate.””
Natalie pushed the evidence bag toward me.
“Victoria, your father didn't leave you a fortune. He left you a fight over who father didn't leave you a fortune. He left you a fight over who legally owned it.””
I looked at the key.
Then at the letter.
Then at the message Damon had sent legally owned it.””
I looked at the key.
Then at the letter.
Then at the message Damon had sent.
*You have no idea what your father did to us.*
For the first time, I wondered whether Damon believed.
*You have no idea what your father did to us.*
For the first time, I wondered whether Damon believed himself to be the victim.
And whether that belief was himself to be the victim.
And whether that belief was what made him so dangerous.
By late afternoon, I was back at the villa what made him so dangerous.
By late afternoon, I was back at the villa with Natalie's investigator, a former police detective named Marcus with Natalie's investigator, a former police detective named Marcus Reed.
He inspected the front gate, checked the locks, and examined the security system Reed.
He inspected the front gate, checked the locks, and examined the security system before allowing me inside.
There were no broken windows.
No damaged before allowing me inside.
There were no broken windows.
No damaged doors.
Whoever had entered the house had either used a key or known how doors.
Whoever had entered the house had either used a key or known how to bypass the alarm.
The cabinet beneath the staircase stood open.
The to bypass the alarm.
The cabinet beneath the staircase stood open.
The black folder was gone.
Damon's whiskey glass had black folder was gone.
Damon's whiskey glass had been removed from the living room, and the broken champagne glass near been removed from the living room, and the broken champagne glass near the pool had been swept away.
But the ashes from the previous evening still the pool had been swept away.
But the ashes from the previous evening still lay in the fire pit.
I stood beside them, remembering how Damon had shouted at me for burning his clothes.
He lay in the fire pit.
I stood beside them, remembering how Damon had shouted at me for burning his clothes.
He had cared more about the fabric than the betrayal.
Marcus approached me.
“Do you had cared more about the fabric than the betrayal.
Marcus approached me.
“Do you know whether anyone else has access to the property?””
“Our housekeeper, Maria. The gardener know whether anyone else has access to the property?””
“Our housekeeper, Maria. The gardener has a gate code. Damon and I both have keys.””
“Anyone has a gate code. Damon and I both have keys.””
“Anyone else?””
I hesitated.
“My father's old assistant used to have else?””
I hesitated.
“My father's old assistant used to have access. But she moved away years ago.””
“What was her name?””
access. But she moved away years ago.””
“What was her name?””
“Charlotte Cross.””
Marcus stopped writing.
“Evelyn's“Charlotte Cross.””
Marcus stopped writing.
“Evelyn's daughter?””
I turned toward him.
“You know her?””
“I worked a daughter?””
I turned toward him.
“You know her?””
“I worked a financial fraud case that involved her company several years ago. The financial fraud case that involved her company several years ago. The allegations against her were dismissed.””
“Was she involved with Damon?””
“ allegations against her were dismissed.””
“Was she involved with Damon?””
“Not that I could establish.””
He studied the open cabinet.
“Has yourNot that I could establish.””
He studied the open cabinet.
“Has your husband contacted you since you left this morning?””
“He knows I'm investigating the missing husband contacted you since you left this morning?””
“He knows I'm investigating the missing money.””
“Does he know about the ledger?””
“I don't think so.””
Marcus nodded.
“Then let's keep money.””
“Does he know about the ledger?””
“I don't think so.””
Marcus nodded.
“Then let's keep it that way.””
We walked toward the music room.
My mother's piano stood against it that way.””
We walked toward the music room.
My mother's piano stood against the far wall, polished black wood reflecting the afternoon light. I the far wall, polished black wood reflecting the afternoon light. I had inherited it after her death, and Damon had insisted we bring had inherited it after her death, and Damon had insisted we bring it to the villa when we moved in.
He had always said it made it to the villa when we moved in.
He had always said it made the room feel like a home.
Now I wondered whether he had kept it because he the room feel like a home.
Now I wondered whether he had kept it because he knew what was hidden inside.
Marcus examined the instrument without knew what was hidden inside.
Marcus examined the instrument without touching it.
“Do you know how to open the compartment?””
“No.””
I removed touching it.
“Do you know how to open the compartment?””
“No.””
I removed the music stand.
Beneath it was a narrow wooden panel that the music stand.
Beneath it was a narrow wooden panel that looked like part of the frame.
I ran my fingers along looked like part of the frame.
I ran my fingers along the edge.
Nothing.
Then I noticed a tiny brass screw that didn't match the others the edge.
Nothing.
Then I noticed a tiny brass screw that didn't match the others.
I pressed it.
A soft click sounded inside the piano.
The panel shifted outward.
I pressed it.
A soft click sounded inside the piano.
The panel shifted outward.
Behind it lay a narrow cavity.
Inside was a black.
Behind it lay a narrow cavity.
Inside was a black leather book with a brass clasp.
And resting beneath the cover was a leather book with a brass clasp.
And resting beneath the cover was a small red key.
My hands began to shake.
Marcus photographed small red key.
My hands began to shake.
Marcus photographed the compartment before I touched anything else.
“Don't the compartment before I touched anything else.
“Don't remove it yet,” he said.
“Let's document its condition.””
I stared remove it yet,” he said.
“Let's document its condition.””
I stared at the ledger.
For three years, Damon had lived in this house. He had passed at the ledger.
For three years, Damon had lived in this house. He had passed this piano hundreds of times. He had stood beside me while this piano hundreds of times. He had stood beside me while I played my mother's favorite songs.
And he had never known what lay beneath the music stand.
Or perhaps he had I played my mother's favorite songs.
And he had never known what lay beneath the music stand.
Or perhaps he had known all along.
Marcus photographed the key known all along.
Marcus photographed the key, the clasp, and the handwritten initials on the inside cover.
Then, the clasp, and the handwritten initials on the inside cover.
Then he looked up.
“Victoria, you need to see this.””
he looked up.
“Victoria, you need to see this.””
He pointed to the first page.
Three names had been written inHe pointed to the first page.
Three names had been written in my father's hand.
*Evelyn Cross.*
*Damon Hayes.*
**Victoria Hayes. my father's hand.
*Evelyn Cross.*
*Damon Hayes.*
*Victoria Hayes.*
Beside my name was a date.
The date of**
Beside my name was a date.
The date of my wedding.
And beneath it, a single sentence.
*If Damon my wedding.
And beneath it, a single sentence.
If Damon ever marries my daughter, the trust will transfer to him only ever marries my daughter, the trust will transfer to him only if the original beneficiary agreement is destroyed.
I felt the room tilt.
My father hadn't if the original beneficiary agreement is destroyed.*
I felt the room tilt.
My father hadn't simply left me money.
He had built a trap.
And my simply left me money.
He had built a trap.
And my marriage had been part of it.
Then Marcus turned the marriage had been part of it.
Then Marcus turned the page.
A photograph had been tucked inside the leather page.
A photograph had been tucked inside the leather cover.
It showed my father standing beside Evelyn Cross outside a courthouse cover.
It showed my father standing beside Evelyn Cross outside a courthouse.
Between them stood a younger Damon,.
Between them stood a younger Damon, wearing a suit and holding a document.
On wearing a suit and holding a document.
On the back, my father had written:
**The night Evelyn died, Damon was the back, my father had written:
*The night Evelyn died, Damon was not in California. He was with me.*
I stared at the sentence not in California. He was with me.**
I stared at the sentence.
If Damon had been with my father that night, then he had lied about his whereabouts.
But.
If Damon had been with my father that night, then he had lied about his whereabouts.
But that wasn't the part that frightened me most.
The photograph that wasn't the part that frightened me most.
The photograph was dated three days after Evelyn's supposed death.
And the woman standing beside my father was was dated three days after Evelyn's supposed death.
And the woman standing beside my father was unmistakably alive.
Marcus carefully placed the photograph into unmistakably alive.
Marcus carefully placed the photograph into an evidence sleeve.
“We need to get this to Natalie.””
I nodded.
an evidence sleeve.
“We need to get this to Natalie.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
Damon.
I answered without speaking.
HisThen my phone rang.
Damon.
I answered without speaking.
His voice was low and controlled.
“Victoria, I know you went to the house.””
I looked voice was low and controlled.
“Victoria, I know you went to the house.””
I looked at the piano.
“How?””
“Because someone just sent at the piano.
“How?””
“Because someone just sent me a photograph of you standing beside it.””
My blood turned cold.
“What me a photograph of you standing beside it.””
My blood turned cold.
“What photograph?””
“The one you took of the piano.””
“I didn't send you anything.””
“No photograph?””
“The one you took of the piano.””
“I didn't send you anything.””
“No,” Damon said.
“But whoever did wants me to know,” Damon said.
“But whoever did wants me to know you found the ledger.””
A pause.
Then he whispered, “Get you found the ledger.””
A pause.
Then he whispered, “Get away from that book.””
Before I could respond, I away from that book.””
Before I could respond, I heard a loud crash on the other end of the line.
Damon sw heard a loud crash on the other end of the line.
Damon swore.
Someone else shouted.
And then a woman's voice spokeore.
Someone else shouted.
And then a woman's voice spoke directly into the phone.
“Victoria, if you can hear me, get directly into the phone.
“Victoria, if you can hear me, get out of the house!””
I recognized the out of the house!””
I recognized the voice immediately.
Evelyn Cross.
And she was standing somewhere inside my voice immediately.
May you like
Evelyn Cross.
And she was standing somewhere inside my villa.
