Chapter 6: The Brother
Daniel couldn't speak.
The photograph shook in his hand.
The young man in it had his father's eyes.
His mother's jaw.
And Daniel's exact smile.
A smile Daniel hadn't seen since he was seventeen.
“No,” he whispered.
Evelyn approached him.
“Daniel…”
“Don't.””
He held up the phone.
“Who is he?””
She looked at the photograph.
Then closed her eyes.
“Michael.””
Daniel backed away.
“My brother died.””
“I know.””
“My parents told me he died.””
“I know.””
“The police told me he died.””
“I know.””
Daniel's voice broke.
“Then why are you telling me he's alive?””
Evelyn started crying.
“Because he is.””
Marcus moved toward the windows.
“We need to leave.””
Daniel looked at him.
“Why?””
Marcus pointed outside.
A black SUV was parked across the road.
Its headlights were off.
Daniel recognized the vehicle from the photograph.
“Call the police.””
One officer immediately reached for his radio.
But before he could speak, the SUV pulled away.
Daniel ran toward the front door.
“Stop!””
The officer caught his arm.
“Mr. Vale, don't.””
Daniel struggled.
“That's him.””
“You don't know that.””
“Yes, I do.””
He looked at Evelyn.
“You knew my brother was alive.””
She nodded.
“How long?””
“Four years.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Four years?””
She wiped her tears.
“He came to me after the accident.””
“What accident?””
“The crash that everyone thought killed him.””
Daniel's face tightened.
“What really happened?””
Evelyn looked toward Marcus.
Marcus nodded reluctantly.
“Tell him.””
She drew a shaky breath.
“Michael was driving your father's car.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I remember.””
“He had discovered what Victor was doing.””
“What?””
“The stolen money. The hidden accounts. The blackmail.””
Daniel looked at Victor's letter.
“Then why was Michael driving?””
“Because your father asked him to meet someone.””
“Who?””
“Victor.””
Marcus interrupted.
“Victor wanted Michael to hand over the financial records.””
Daniel looked at him.
“And?””
“They argued.””
Evelyn whispered, “The car went off the road.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Michael survived?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did everyone think he died?””
“Because someone switched the medical records.””
Daniel's expression changed.
“Who?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
Marcus did.
“Your father.””
Daniel looked at him in disbelief.
“My father?””
“He wanted Michael hidden.””
“Why?””
“Because Michael had discovered something worse.””
Daniel's voice dropped.
“What?””
Marcus looked toward the basement.
“The company wasn't your father's anymore.””
Daniel frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“Victor had been stealing money, yes. But your father had been using the company to hide something.””
“Hide what?””
Marcus hesitated.
“People.””
The room fell silent.
Daniel shook his head.
“That doesn't make sense.””
“It will.””
Marcus pulled another document from his folder.
“Your father had a private network of shell companies.””
Daniel scanned the page.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Several were unfamiliar.
But one appeared repeatedly.
*M. Vale.*
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
“Michael?””
She nodded.
“He was being used as the legal owner of accounts he knew nothing about.””
Daniel's stomach turned.
“Why?””
“Because if those accounts were ever discovered, Michael would take the blame.””
Daniel slowly lowered the document.
“My father framed his own son?””
“He was trying to protect the family,” Evelyn said.
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“By destroying my brother?””
Evelyn couldn't answer.
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Everyone turned.
An officer ran toward the hallway.
“Someone broke a window!””
Daniel followed.
The broken glass glittered across the floor.
On the carpet lay another envelope.
Daniel picked it up.
His name was written across the front.
He opened it.
Inside was a handwritten note.
*You keep asking who tried to kill you.*
*Ask who benefits if you survive.*
Daniel stared at it.
Then another line appeared beneath the first.
*Your wife isn't your biggest enemy.*
His eyes moved to the final sentence.
*But she is the reason your brother wants you dead.*
Daniel turned toward Evelyn.
She was crying silently.
“What did you do to Michael?””
She shook her head.
“Nothing.””
“Then why does he want me dead?””
“I don't know.””
“Evelyn.””
“I swear.””
Marcus suddenly looked at the note.
“Wait.””
He pointed at the handwriting.
“I've seen this before.””
Daniel looked at him.
“Where?””
Marcus's face drained of color.
“In the documents Victor sent me.””
“Whose handwriting?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Daniel grabbed his shoulder.
“Whose?””
Marcus whispered:
“Your mother's.””
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Daniel stared at the note.
“My mother died twelve years ago.””
Marcus nodded.
“I know.””
“Then explain it.””
Before Marcus could answer, every light in the mansion went out.
The security alarm began screaming.
Police shouted from the front hall.
Noah heard movement behind him.
He turned.
A figure stood at the end of the corridor.
Tall.
Motionless.
Watching.
Noah shouted, “Daniel!””
Daniel spun around.
The figure stepped forward into the emergency light.
Daniel stared at the man's face.
The same eyes.
The same jaw.
The same smile.
The man lifted his hand.
“Hello, little brother.””
Then he looked directly at Evelyn.
May you like
And said:
“You should have let him drink the juice.””
