Chapter 6: The Brother Who Bought Silence
Richard stared at Carter. “My brother is dead.”
Carter laughed. “That’s what he wanted you to think.”
Monica whispered, “Carter, stop.”
Richard turned to her. “What does he mean?”
She shook her head. “Don’t listen.”
Carter spoke louder as officers burst through the front door. “Your brother Andrew didn’t die in that boating accident. He disappeared with half your father’s money.”
Richard’s face went pale. “Andrew died ten years ago.”
“No,” Carter said. “He came back when Grace found the stolen accounts.”
Police officers rushed in and forced Carter’s hands behind his back.
Carter shouted, “Grace wasn’t only investigating Monica. She found Andrew!”
Richard grabbed Monica’s shoulders. “Where is he?”
Monica cried, “I don’t know!”
“Liar!”
“I swear I don’t know where he is now. I only spoke to him by phone.”
Lily held Richard’s pant leg. “Daddy, who is Andrew?”
Richard knelt. “My brother.”
“The one in Mommy’s photo?”
Richard froze. “What photo?”
Lily pointed toward the blue box. “Mommy had a picture of him. She said the bad uncle was not a ghost.”
Richard looked at Rosa.
Rosa nodded. “Miss Grace told me if anything happened, I should protect Lily from a man with your face but colder eyes.”
Richard rushed back to the basement and grabbed the photos.
One photo showed Grace standing outside a private bank.
Beside her was Andrew Hale—alive, older, with a scar across his chin.
On the back, Grace had written: ANDREW + CARTER + MONICA = LILY IN DANGER.
Richard’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered slowly. “Who is this?”
A familiar voice laughed softly. “Hello, little brother.”
Richard’s breath stopped. “Andrew.”
Lily whispered, “Daddy?”
Andrew said, “You dug too deep.”
“You killed Grace?”
“No. Monica got nervous. Carter got messy. I only wanted my money back.”
Richard looked at Monica with pure disgust.
Andrew continued, “But now you have something I need.”
“The files?”
“No. Lily.”
Richard’s hand tightened around the phone. “You come near my daughter, I’ll end you.”
Andrew laughed. “Too late.”
Richard turned.
The pantry door was open.
May you like
Rosa lay unconscious on the floor.
Lily was gone.
