Chapter 7 - THE DEAD MAN'S MESSAGE
Daniel moved Rachel and the girls into a secure apartment that night.
He didn't ask.
He simply arranged protection.
Rachel hated it.
“I don't need a fortress.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I do.”
“Daniel.”
“I lost seven years.”
His voice cracked.
“I won't lose another night.”
Rachel went quiet.
The girls were sleeping upstairs.
Daniel placed a tablet on the table.
A video appeared.
His father.
Charles Harden.
Recorded months before his death.
“If you're watching this, Daniel, you've discovered the twins.”
Daniel's face became rigid.
His father continued.
“I know what you think of me.”
Daniel whispered, “You were right.”
The recording continued.
“I did what I believed was necessary.”
Rachel shook her head.
“Of course he did.”
Charles looked directly into the camera.
“Rachel Monroe was never your enemy.”
Daniel stared.
“She was the only person I trusted.”
Rachel froze.
“What?”
Charles continued.
“Your mother was being watched. Richard Vale was working with people who wanted control of Harden Enterprises.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“People?”
“Not one person.”
Charles looked exhausted.
“A group.”
The video ended.
Daniel stared at the black screen.
“That's it?”
Rachel whispered.
“No.”
“What?”
She pointed.
“Look.”
A reflection appeared in the dark screen.
Someone had been standing behind Charles during the recording.
A man.
Only for half a second.
Daniel paused the video.
His eyes widened.
“Richard.”
Rachel looked closer.
“No.”
Daniel nodded.
“That is him.”
Richard Vale.
The attorney who had supposedly been loyal to Daniel's father.
The man who had intercepted Rachel's pregnancy email.
The man who had forged the agreement.
Daniel stood.
“We have to find him.”
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Daniel Harden.”
A distorted voice replied.
“You should have married Amanda.”
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“Who is this?”
“You were warned.”
“Where is Richard?”
Silence.
Then:
“Ask Rachel what happened the night her mother died.”
Rachel went pale.
“My mother died of cancer.”
The voice laughed.
“No.”
Rachel's hand flew to her mouth.
“She was murdered.”
The line went dead.
Daniel stared at Rachel.
She whispered:
“That isn't possible.”
Then Betty screamed from upstairs.
“Mommy!”
Rachel ran.
Daniel followed.
The bedroom door was open.
The window was shattered.
Maria was crying.
Betty was holding something.
A photograph.
Rachel took it.
Her mother.
Standing beside Richard Vale.
On the back was written:
May you like
WE NEVER GOT THE BABIES.
Rachel's knees almost collapsed.
