Chapter 5 - THE BROTHER WHO WASN'T DEAD
Nora took us to a small private room.
She locked the door.
Then she told us the truth.
Michael Brooks hadn't died twenty-four years ago.
He had disappeared.
My grandfather had announced his death because Michael had discovered something inside the company.
Something illegal.
Something worth killing for.
"What did he discover?" I asked.
Nora looked at Grace.
"Money."
"What kind?"
"Money being moved through shell companies."
My father had always insisted Brooks Holdings was clean.
Nora continued.
"Michael found evidence that several executives were stealing from the company."
"Who?"
"Your grandfather."
I stared at her.
"My grandfather?"
"He was involved."
"Why would Michael disappear?"
"Because he threatened to expose him."
I felt sick.
"What happened to Michael?"
Nora shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Then how do you know he's alive?"
She reached into her bag.
A photograph.
Michael.
Older.
Alive.
Standing beside a young woman.
A little girl stood between them.
I stared.
"Who is she?"
"His daughter."
My heart pounded.
"Her name?"
"Elena."
Grace whispered:
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because Elena is the name on the old birth certificate."
"What birth certificate?"
Grace looked at Nora.
Nora closed her eyes.
"The children weren't the only secret."
I felt a chill.
"What does Elena have to do with my children?"
Nora leaned forward.
"She was there the night Emma was born."
I couldn't breathe.
"What?"
"Michael had been watching the family."
"Why?"
"Because he knew someone wanted your children dead."
"Who?"
Nora hesitated.
Then said:
"Your father's business partner."
I knew the name.
Richard Kane.
He had been beside my father for decades.
He controlled a significant portion of Brooks Holdings.
But why would he care about my children?
Nora explained.
"If your children inherit the trust, Richard loses his voting power."
"So he wanted them dead."
"Yes."
I looked at Grace.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because every time I tried, someone found me."
"Who?"
"Men working for Richard."
I stood.
"Where is he now?"
"At your father's office."
I pulled out my phone.
Then stopped.
If Richard was involved, calling him would accomplish nothing.
We needed proof.
Nora gave me another envelope.
Inside was a flash drive.
"Michael gave me this."
I looked at it.
"Where is Michael?"
Nora shook her head.
"He disappeared again."
"When?"
"Three weeks ago."
I plugged the drive into my laptop.
Files appeared.
Bank records.
Emails.
Photographs.
Security footage.
Then one video opened automatically.
My father was sitting in a conference room.
Richard Kane sat across from him.
Three years earlier.
Richard spoke first.
"The children can't remain alive."
My blood froze.
My father looked furious.
"They are my grandchildren."
"They are liabilities."
"Nobody touches them."
Richard leaned forward.
"If they inherit, the trust activates."
My father slammed his hand on the table.
"I said no."
Richard smiled.
"Then perhaps we should discuss your son's involvement."
My father went silent.
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
My father hadn't ordered the children's deaths.
But he'd known about the threat.
And he had still hidden them from me.
I turned toward Grace.
"I need to talk to him."
She nodded.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?"
A man's voice spoke.
"Ryan Brooks?"
"Who is this?"
"You have something that belongs to me."
"What?"
"The drive."
My blood ran cold.
"Where are you?"
"Look outside."
I walked toward the window.
Across the street stood a black SUV.
The driver lowered his window.
Then I saw the man inside.
Michael.
Older.
Bearded.
Alive.
He looked directly at me.
Then raised his hand.
He was holding a photograph.
Of Emma.
My phone rang again.
Michael said:
"If you want your daughter to survive, come alone."
The line went dead.
Grace grabbed my arm.
"No."
"I have to go."
"Ryan, it's a trap."
"I know."
"Then don't go."
I looked at her.
"What if he's telling the truth?"
She shook her head.
"You just found out someone has been hunting our children for three years."
I looked at the SUV.
Michael was still watching us.
Then he raised the photograph.
On the back was written:
HE KNOWS ABOUT THE SURGERY.
My blood turned cold.
I called the surgeon.
"Has anyone accessed Emma's medical file?"
He checked.
Then went silent.
"What?"
"Someone logged in."
"When?"
"Ten minutes ago."
"Who?"
He read the screen.
May you like
Then said:
"Someone using your father's credentials."
