Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: My Brother Was Paid to Kill Me
The bell: My Brother Was Paid to Kill Me
The bell above the hardware store door rang again.
I stood frozen beside the above the hardware store door rang again.
I stood frozen beside the counter, the telephone still pressed against my ear.
“Robert?”” I whispered counter, the telephone still pressed against my ear.
“Robert?”” I whispered.
No answer.
The call had ended.
Outside, the black SUV stopped directly in front of the store. Its headlights illuminated the dusty windows, throwing.
No answer.
The call had ended.
Outside, the black SUV stopped directly in front of the store. Its headlights illuminated the dusty windows, throwing long shadows across the shelves where my father had once displayed hammers, nails, and paintbrushes.
Rafael reached beneath his long shadows across the shelves where my father had once displayed hammers, nails, and paintbrushes.
Rafael reached beneath his jacket.
“Get behind me, Mrs. Whitmore.””
I clutched the leather ledger.
“Could that be jacket.
“Get behind me, Mrs. Whitmore.””
I clutched the leather ledger.
“Could that be Richard?””
“Possibly.””
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out.
He wore a dark coat and held an Richard?””
“Possibly.””
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out.
He wore a dark coat and held an umbrella despite the fact that the rain had stopped.
I recognized him immediately.
Marcus Hill.
Richard's security director.
The same umbrella despite the fact that the rain had stopped.
I recognized him immediately.
Marcus Hill.
Richard's security director.
The same man who had tried to remove Lydia from the clinic.
He walked toward the entrance without hurrying.
Then he knocked man who had tried to remove Lydia from the clinic.
He walked toward the entrance without hurrying.
Then he knocked.
Three times.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” he called.
“Mr. Whitmore would like to speak with you.””
I looked at Rafael.
He.
Three times.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” he called.
“Mr. Whitmore would like to speak with you.””
I looked at Rafael.
He shook his head.
Marcus knocked again.
“There's no reason to make this difficult.””
I walked toward the back of the store.
“There's always shook his head.
Marcus knocked again.
“There's no reason to make this difficult.””
I walked toward the back of the store.
“There's always a reason to make things difficult when someone is trying to kill you.””
Rafael led me through a narrow storage corridor a reason to make things difficult when someone is trying to kill you.””
Rafael led me through a narrow storage corridor.
We reached a rear door that opened onto a small alley.
But before he could unlock it, a second vehicle pulled.
We reached a rear door that opened onto a small alley.
But before he could unlock it, a second vehicle pulled into the alley.
A man stepped out.
He was carrying a flashlight.
“Damn it,” Rafael muttered.
The front into the alley.
A man stepped out.
He was carrying a flashlight.
“Damn it,” Rafael muttered.
The front door rattled.
“Open up!”” Marcus shouted.
Rafael grabbed my arm.
“There's a basement entrance.””
He pushed aside door rattled.
“Open up!”” Marcus shouted.
Rafael grabbed my arm.
“There's a basement entrance.””
He pushed aside several boxes and revealed a wooden hatch beneath an old workbench.
I stared at it.
“My father used to keep coal several boxes and revealed a wooden hatch beneath an old workbench.
I stared at it.
“My father used to keep coal down there.””
“Then let's hope he left another way out.””
We climbed down.
The basement smelled down there.””
“Then let's hope he left another way out.””
We climbed down.
The basement smelled of damp concrete and old machinery. Rafael pulled the hatch shut above us.
A moment later, we heard footsteps entering the store.
“Search of damp concrete and old machinery. Rafael pulled the hatch shut above us.
A moment later, we heard footsteps entering the store.
“Search everything,” Marcus ordered.
Another man's voice answered.
“She has to be here.””
I held my breath.
Rafael everything,” Marcus ordered.
Another man's voice answered.
“She has to be here.””
I held my breath.
Rafael switched on a small flashlight.
At the far end of the basement stood an old wooden door.
I recognized it.
My father had once used it to move switched on a small flashlight.
At the far end of the basement stood an old wooden door.
I recognized it.
My father had once used it to move heavy deliveries from the alley into the storage room.
I pushed it.
It opened.
We slipped into the darkness just as something heavy deliveries from the alley into the storage room.
I pushed it.
It opened.
We slipped into the darkness just as something crashed upstairs.
We reached Rafael's car three streets away.
He locked the doors and started crashed upstairs.
We reached Rafael's car three streets away.
He locked the doors and started the engine.
My phone began ringing.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Robert?””
“Are you safe?””
“I'm alive. That's more than I can say for your employers.””
the engine.
My phone began ringing.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Robert?””
“Are you safe?””
“I'm alive. That's more than I can say for your employers.””
A short silence followed.
Then the man laughed bitterly.
“Richard isn't my employer anymore.””
“Twenty-five million dollars says otherwise.””
“EA short silence followed.
Then the man laughed bitterly.
“Richard isn't my employer anymore.””
“Twenty-five million dollars says otherwise.””
“Eleanor, listen to me. I didn't take that money to help them kill you.””
“Then why did you?””
“To buyleanor, listen to me. I didn't take that money to help them kill you.””
“Then why did you?””
“To buy time.””
I looked at Rafael.
“Explain.””
Robert exhaled.
“Richard approached me six months ago. He said time.””
I looked at Rafael.
“Explain.””
Robert exhaled.
“Richard approached me six months ago. He said he wanted to settle the inheritance dispute before it became public. He offered me twenty-five million dollars to sign away any claim I might have to James Whitmore's estate he wanted to settle the inheritance dispute before it became public. He offered me twenty-five million dollars to sign away any claim I might have to James Whitmore's estate.””
“And you accepted?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I knew what he was planning.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“You knew he was going to.””
“And you accepted?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I knew what he was planning.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“You knew he was going to kill me?””
“I knew he was trying to take control of your company. I didn't know he intended to throw you into the river until three days before the kill me?””
“I knew he was trying to take control of your company. I didn't know he intended to throw you into the river until three days before the trip.””
“Three days?””
“I found out through someone working for Northstar. I tried to contact you.””
“Why didn't you call me directly trip.””
“Three days?””
“I found out through someone working for Northstar. I tried to contact you.””
“Why didn't you call me directly?””
“Because Richard had access to your phone records. He was monitoring your communications.””
I looked at Rafael.
He nodded slowly.
That?””
“Because Richard had access to your phone records. He was monitoring your communications.””
I looked at Rafael.
He nodded slowly.
That was possible.
Richard had always handled our family security arrangements.
“Where are you?”” I asked.
“Richmond.””
was possible.
Richard had always handled our family security arrangements.
“Where are you?”” I asked.
“Richmond.””
“Come to me.””
“I can't.””
“Why not?””
“Because I'm being watched.””
I closed my eyes.
“Robert, I'm“Come to me.””
“I can't.””
“Why not?””
“Because I'm being watched.””
I closed my eyes.
“Robert, I'm not going to spend the rest of my life chasing shadows. Either you help me or you become another person not going to spend the rest of my life chasing shadows. Either you help me or you become another person who knows the truth and does nothing.””
His breathing changed.
Then he said, “There's a diner on Route who knows the truth and does nothing.””
His breathing changed.
Then he said, “There's a diner on Route 17. Tomorrow morning. Six o'clock. Come alone.””
“No.””
“Eleanor—”
“I've already 17. Tomorrow morning. Six o'clock. Come alone.””
“No.””
“Eleanor—”
“I've already been betrayed by enough people who wanted me alone.””
He sighed.
“Fine. Bring one person. But don't been betrayed by enough people who wanted me alone.””
He sighed.
“Fine. Bring one person. But don't bring the police.””
The call ended.
That night, I barely slept.
Rafael arranged a room at a small hotel under bring the police.””
The call ended.
That night, I barely slept.
Rafael arranged a room at a small hotel under a different name. He stayed in the adjoining room.
I placed the ledger on the desk and examined every page.
The a different name. He stayed in the adjoining room.
I placed the ledger on the desk and examined every page.
The twenty-five-million-dollar transfer had been authorized by Richard.
But there was another signature beneath it.
Julian's.
I twenty-five-million-dollar transfer had been authorized by Richard.
But there was another signature beneath it.
Julian's.
I photographed the page and sent it to Margaret's attorney.
Then I found a second entry.
A payment to photographed the page and sent it to Margaret's attorney.
Then I found a second entry.
A payment to Marcus Hill.
Three million dollars.
The description read:
Security services and special handling.
I felt sick.
They had paid people to Marcus Hill.
Three million dollars.
The description read:
Security services and special handling.
I felt sick.
They had paid people to arrange my death.
I turned another page.
There were records dating back fifteen years.
Payments to arrange my death.
I turned another page.
There were records dating back fifteen years.
Payments to Northstar.
Payments to offshore companies.
Payments to individuals whose names I recognized from Whitmore Global's executive team Northstar.
Payments to offshore companies.
Payments to individuals whose names I recognized from Whitmore Global's executive team.
Then I found something that made my hands go cold.
A transfer dated two days after Peter.
Then I found something that made my hands go cold.
A transfer dated two days after Peter Lawson's disappearance.
$4.8 million.
Recipient: Richard Whitmore.
Description: Legal settlement and incident management.
I photographed Lawson's disappearance.
$4.8 million.
Recipient: Richard Whitmore.
Description: Legal settlement and incident management.
I photographed that page too.
The next entry was even worse.
A payment to a private medical facility.
The same clinic where that page too.
The next entry was even worse.
A payment to a private medical facility.
The same clinic where Lydia had been admitted.
I called Margaret's attorney.
He answered on the fourth ring.
“Mrs. Whitmore?””
“I Lydia had been admitted.
I called Margaret's attorney.
He answered on the fourth ring.
“Mrs. Whitmore?””
“I need you to look at something.””
I sent him the photographs.
He was silent for nearly a minute.
“Where need you to look at something.””
I sent him the photographs.
He was silent for nearly a minute.
“Where did you get these?””
“My father's safe.””
“Do not alter the ledger. Do not write on did you get these?””
“My father's safe.””
“Do not alter the ledger. Do not write on it. Keep it secure.””
“Does it prove anything?””
“It gives us a substantial it. Keep it secure.””
“Does it prove anything?””
“It gives us a substantial lead. But we need independent authentication and supporting records.””
I looked at the pages.
“Then get them.””
“I'll contact the appropriate lead. But we need independent authentication and supporting records.””
I looked at the pages.
“Then get them.””
“I'll contact the appropriate authorities.””
“Do that.””
Before ending the call, he added, “There's one more thing. We've located Margaret authorities.””
“Do that.””
Before ending the call, he added, “There's one more thing. We've located Margaret.””
I stood.
“Where?””
“She was transferred to a private property outside Richmond. Our.””
I stood.
“Where?””
“She was transferred to a private property outside Richmond. Our investigator believes she's being held there.””
“Is she alive?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Get her out.””
“We investigator believes she's being held there.””
“Is she alive?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Get her out.””
“We're coordinating with law enforcement.””
I ended the call.
For the first time that night, I felt something like hope.
Then another're coordinating with law enforcement.””
I ended the call.
For the first time that night, I felt something like hope.
Then another message appeared.
It was from Vanessa.
**Julian has moved the board meeting forward. They're voting message appeared.
It was from Vanessa.
*Julian has moved the board meeting forward. They're voting on the transfer tomorrow at noon. If they succeed, Northstar gets control of Whitmore Global.*
I stared at the on the transfer tomorrow at noon. If they succeed, Northstar gets control of Whitmore Global.**
I stared at the screen.
Tomorrow.
My entire life's work was about to be handed to the same people screen.
Tomorrow.
My entire life's work was about to be handed to the same people who had tried to erase me.
I looked at the ledger.
Then at the photograph of my father.
“Not this time, Dad who had tried to erase me.
I looked at the ledger.
Then at the photograph of my father.
“Not this time, Dad,” I whispered.
At six the next morning, Rafael drove me to the diner.
It,” I whispered.
At six the next morning, Rafael drove me to the diner.
It was a small roadside restaurant with cracked vinyl booths and a faded sign advertising homemade pancakes.
A man sat in the was a small roadside restaurant with cracked vinyl booths and a faded sign advertising homemade pancakes.
A man sat in the far corner.
He had gray hair, a weathered face, and the same deep-set eyes I remembered from the photograph.
Robert.
My brother.
He stood when far corner.
He had gray hair, a weathered face, and the same deep-set eyes I remembered from the photograph.
Robert.
My brother.
He stood when I entered.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he said, “You look like Evelyn.””
I stopped.
“Did you know my mother?””
“I met her I entered.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he said, “You look like Evelyn.””
I stopped.
“Did you know my mother?””
“I met her once.””
“Why didn't she tell me about you?””
Robert looked down.
“Because she was trying to protect you.””
“From Richard?””
He nodded.
I once.””
“Why didn't she tell me about you?””
Robert looked down.
“Because she was trying to protect you.””
“From Richard?””
He nodded.
I sat opposite him.
He ordered coffee for both of us.
Then he placed a thick envelope on the table.
“Before sat opposite him.
He ordered coffee for both of us.
Then he placed a thick envelope on the table.
“Before we talk about the money, you need to see this.””
Inside were photocopies of emails, bank statements, and a we talk about the money, you need to see this.””
Inside were photocopies of emails, bank statements, and a photograph of Julian standing beside a man I didn't recognize.
The date on the photograph was three weeks before our Amazon photograph of Julian standing beside a man I didn't recognize.
The date on the photograph was three weeks before our Amazon trip.
“Who is that?”” I asked.
“Carlos Mendes.””
The boat operator.
My stomach tightened.
“Why is Julian trip.
“Who is that?”” I asked.
“Carlos Mendes.””
The boat operator.
My stomach tightened.
“Why is Julian meeting him?””
“Because Carlos wasn't hired to take you on a sightseeing trip.””
Robert leaned forward.
“He was paid to make sure you meeting him?””
“Because Carlos wasn't hired to take you on a sightseeing trip.””
Robert leaned forward.
“He was paid to make sure you never came back.””
I stared at him.
“By whom?””
“Richard.””
“Did you know Carlos?””
“I never came back.””
I stared at him.
“By whom?””
“Richard.””
“Did you know Carlos?””
“I met him twice. Richard used him for private transportation before.””
I looked at the photograph.
Jul met him twice. Richard used him for private transportation before.””
I looked at the photograph.
Julian was smiling.
Carlos was holding an envelope.
“Why did you take the twenty-five million?””
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“ian was smiling.
Carlos was holding an envelope.
“Why did you take the twenty-five million?””
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“Because I needed access to Richard's accounts. The payment gave me a way to follow the money.””
“YouBecause I needed access to Richard's accounts. The payment gave me a way to follow the money.””
“You could have told me.””
“I tried. Richard intercepted my messages.””
“Then why didn't you go to the police?””
Robert looked at me.
“Because could have told me.””
“I tried. Richard intercepted my messages.””
“Then why didn't you go to the police?””
Robert looked at me.
“Because I have something to hide too.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“What?””
He pushed another photograph across the table.
It showed a young man I have something to hide too.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“What?””
He pushed another photograph across the table.
It showed a young man standing beside Julian outside an office building.
Peter Lawson.
“That's Peter,” Robert said.
“I was standing beside Julian outside an office building.
Peter Lawson.
“That's Peter,” Robert said.
“I was the last person to see him alive before he disappeared.””
I looked at him.
“You knew Peter the last person to see him alive before he disappeared.””
I looked at him.
“You knew Peter?””
“I was working as a financial consultant for Julian's company. I discovered that money was being moved through fake vendors. Peter found out too.””
“What happened?””
“Jul?””
“I was working as a financial consultant for Julian's company. I discovered that money was being moved through fake vendors. Peter found out too.””
“What happened?””
“Julian confronted him. Richard arrived. They argued for nearly an hour.””
Robert swallowed.
“Then Peter left with them.””
“And you did nothing?””
“I followedian confronted him. Richard arrived. They argued for nearly an hour.””
Robert swallowed.
“Then Peter left with them.””
“And you did nothing?””
“I followed them.””
His voice cracked.
“I found Peter's car abandoned near the river the next morning. I saw Richard speaking to a them.””
His voice cracked.
“I found Peter's car abandoned near the river the next morning. I saw Richard speaking to a police officer. Later, I discovered that Peter had been declared dead in an accident.””
I stared at him.
police officer. Later, I discovered that Peter had been declared dead in an accident.””
I stared at him.
“You helped cover it up.””
“I helped hide the financial evidence because Richard threatened my family.””
“Your family?””
Robert looked down.
“My“You helped cover it up.””
“I helped hide the financial evidence because Richard threatened my family.””
“Your family?””
Robert looked down.
“My wife. My little girl.””
I sat back.
There it was again.
Fear.
The excuse everyone had used while wife. My little girl.””
I sat back.
There it was again.
Fear.
The excuse everyone had used while I was drowning.
I looked directly into his eyes.
“You accepted twenty I was drowning.
I looked directly into his eyes.
“You accepted twenty-five million dollars. You watched Richard destroy my life. And now you want me to believe you're different?””
Robert didn't answer.
I stood-five million dollars. You watched Richard destroy my life. And now you want me to believe you're different?””
Robert didn't answer.
I stood.
“I've spent enough years trusting men who tell me they're protecting someone.””
He reached for my hand.
“E.
“I've spent enough years trusting men who tell me they're protecting someone.””
He reached for my hand.
“Eleanor, please.””
I pulled away.
Then he said something that stopped me.
“Your father left youleanor, please.””
I pulled away.
Then he said something that stopped me.
“Your father left you a second letter.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Thomas. He gave it to me before he died. He told me to deliver a second letter.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Thomas. He gave it to me before he died. He told me to deliver it only if Richard ever tried to take your inheritance.””
Robert opened the envelope and removed a sealed letter.
On the front, my father's handwriting was unmistakable.
*For Eleanor, when the truth can no longer be hidden it only if Richard ever tried to take your inheritance.””
Robert opened the envelope and removed a sealed letter.
On the front, my father's handwriting was unmistakable.
For Eleanor, when the truth can no longer be hidden.
I took it.
And beneath the letter was another document.
A certificate of incorporation.
For a company called Whit.*
I took it.
And beneath the letter was another document.
A certificate of incorporation.
For a company called Whitmore Holdings.
The date was forty-seven years old.
The registered owner was not Richard.
Not James.
Not even me.
It was Thomas Whitmore.
Andmore Holdings.
The date was forty-seven years old.
The registered owner was not Richard.
Not James.
Not even me.
It was Thomas Whitmore.
And the controlling shares had been transferred into a trust with one beneficiary.
My name.
I looked up the controlling shares had been transferred into a trust with one beneficiary.
My name.
I looked up.
Robert whispered:
“Your father didn't leave you just a hardware store, Eleanor. He left you the company.
May you like
Robert whispered:
“Your father didn't leave you just a hardware store, Eleanor. He left you the company Richard spent his entire life trying to steal.””
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