Chapter 9: The Brother Who Came Back
My father didn't sit down.
He didn't blink.
He stood in Brother Who Came Back
My father didn't sit down.
He didn't blink.
He stood in the little storage office, holding the phone as if the voice on the other the little storage office, holding the phone as if the voice on the other end had reached through the speaker and grabbed him by the throat.
“Where are you, Thomas?””
His brother sighed end had reached through the speaker and grabbed him by the throat.
“Where are you, Thomas?””
His brother sighed.
“You always were impatient.””
“Answer the question.””
“Not yet.””
My father.
“You always were impatient.””
“Answer the question.””
“Not yet.””
My father closed his eyes briefly.
“Mother buried an empty coffin?””
Thomas said nothing.
“Do closed his eyes briefly.
“Mother buried an empty coffin?””
Thomas said nothing.
“Do you have any idea what you did to her? She spent the you have any idea what you did to her? She spent the last years of her life believing she had lost her youngest son.””
“I know.””
“Then last years of her life believing she had lost her youngest son.””
“I know.””
“Then how could you let her die believing that?””
“I had how could you let her die believing that?””
“I had reasons.””
“What reasons?””
“Reasons you wouldn't understand.””
My father's jaw tightened.
“Try reasons.””
“What reasons?””
“Reasons you wouldn't understand.””
My father's jaw tightened.
“Try me.””
Thomas gave a short laugh.
“You always thought the world was simple, Richard. Work me.””
Thomas gave a short laugh.
“You always thought the world was simple, Richard. Work hard. Keep your promises. Trust your family.
You believed that if you did everything right, life hard. Keep your promises. Trust your family. You believed that if you did everything right, life would reward you.””
“And you believed you could steal from your own family?””
“I would reward you.””
“And you believed you could steal from your own family?””
“I didn't steal anything.””
My father looked at the documents spread across the desk.
“Then explain the money.””
“The money didn't steal anything.””
My father looked at the documents spread across the desk.
“Then explain the money.””
“The money was moved into investments.””
“Under your name.””
“Under a company structure.””
“Using was moved into investments.””
“Under your name.””
“Under a company structure.””
“Using my dead wife's property.””
“Your wife understood business my dead wife's property.””
“Your wife understood business better than you did.””
My father's expression changed.
“Don't you dare use her name to justify better than you did.””
My father's expression changed.
“Don't you dare use her name to justify this.””
Thomas's voice hardened.
“She was the one who started it. She wanted to this.””
Thomas's voice hardened.
“She was the one who started it. She wanted to build something for Evelyn. Peter agreed.
The company was a way to protect the assets build something for Evelyn. Peter agreed. The company was a way to protect the assets.””
“Then why did you disappear?””
Silence.
For the first time, Thomas seemed reluctant to answer.
Finally, he.””
“Then why did you disappear?””
Silence.
For the first time, Thomas seemed reluctant to answer.
Finally, he said, “Because the company wasn't the only thing Peter had discovered.””
said, “Because the company wasn't the only thing Peter had discovered.””
My father looked at Angela.
She motioned for him to keep Thomas talking.
“WhatMy father looked at Angela.
She motioned for him to keep Thomas talking.
“What did Peter discover?”” my father asked.
“That someone was moving money out of the property accounts did Peter discover?”” my father asked.
“That someone was moving money out of the property accounts before the company was even registered.””
“Who?””
Thomas laughed without humor.
“You before the company was even registered.””
“Who?””
Thomas laughed without humor.
“You're asking the wrong question.””
“Then tell me the right one.””
“Ask yourself're asking the wrong question.””
“Then tell me the right one.””
“Ask yourself who had access to your wife's papers before she died. Ask yourself who knew where the who had access to your wife's papers before she died. Ask yourself who knew where the original documents were kept.
Ask yourself who had a reason to make sure you never looked too closely original documents were kept. Ask yourself who had a reason to make sure you never looked too closely.””
My father stared at the floor.
“Linda?””
Thomas didn't answer.
“Daniel?””
Still nothing.
“.””
My father stared at the floor.
“Linda?””
Thomas didn't answer.
“Daniel?””
Still nothing.
“Was it you?””
Thomas exhaled.
“Richard, I called because I wantedWas it you?””
Thomas exhaled.
“Richard, I called because I wanted to warn you. You should stop digging.””
“Or what?””
“Or you'll lose more than money to warn you. You should stop digging.””
“Or what?””
“Or you'll lose more than money.””
My father looked at me.
I could see the fear in his eyes, but beneath it.””
My father looked at me.
I could see the fear in his eyes, but beneath it was something stronger.
Resolve.
“You've been hiding for eight years,” was something stronger.
Resolve.
“You've been hiding for eight years,” he said.
“I'm not afraid of you.””
“You should be.””
The he said.
“I'm not afraid of you.””
“You should be.””
The call ended.
My father stood motionless.
Angela immediately began documenting the call, noting call ended.
My father stood motionless.
Angela immediately began documenting the call, noting the time and the statements Thomas had made. She explained that the conversation would need to be preserved and reviewed the time and the statements Thomas had made. She explained that the conversation would need to be preserved and reviewed properly; it was not, by itself, proof of every allegation.
Then she asked the question properly; it was not, by itself, proof of every allegation.
Then she asked the question none of us wanted to answer.
“Richard, is there anyone else who knew Thomas was alive?””
My father none of us wanted to answer.
“Richard, is there anyone else who knew Thomas was alive?””
My father shook his head.
“No.””
He looked at the photograph again.
“Unless…”
“Unless shook his head.
“No.””
He looked at the photograph again.
“Unless…”
“Unless what?”” I asked.
He rubbed his forehead.
“Linda attended Thomas what?”” I asked.
He rubbed his forehead.
“Linda attended Thomas's funeral with me. She was the one who arranged the flowers. She helped my mother choose's funeral with me.
She was the one who arranged the flowers. She helped my mother choose the photograph for the memorial service.””
I felt cold.
“Do you think she knew the photograph for the memorial service.””
I felt cold.
“Do you think she knew?””
“I don't know.””
Angela gathered the documents into separate folders.
“We shouldn't assume. We need to establish when the?””
“I don't know.””
Angela gathered the documents into separate folders.
“We shouldn't assume. We need to establish when the company was created, who controlled the accounts, and whether Thomas's identity was used with his consent.””
My father nodded.
Then he looked at me company was created, who controlled the accounts, and whether Thomas's identity was used with his consent.””
My father nodded.
Then he looked at me.
“Sweetheart, I need to ask you something.””
“What?””
“If you had to.
“Sweetheart, I need to ask you something.””
“What?””
“If you had to choose between finding out the truth and keeping the family together, what would you choose?””
I stared at him.
“Dad, choose between finding out the truth and keeping the family together, what would you choose?””
I stared at him.
“Dad, the family is already falling apart.””
He lowered his eyes.
I took his hand the family is already falling apart.””
He lowered his eyes.
I took his hand.
“But I don't want you to lose yourself trying to put it back together.””
He squeezed my.
“But I don't want you to lose yourself trying to put it back together.””
He squeezed my fingers.
For the first time since the call, his shoulders relaxed slightly.
We fingers.
For the first time since the call, his shoulders relaxed slightly.
We left the storage property with copies of the documents and a list of records Angela left the storage property with copies of the documents and a list of records Angela needed to secure. My father drove in silence, his hands tight on the steering wheel.
needed to secure. My father drove in silence, his hands tight on the steering wheel.
When we arrived home, Linda was waiting in the living room.
She had changed out of her silkWhen we arrived home, Linda was waiting in the living room.
She had changed out of her silk robe and was wearing a dark coat. Two suitcases stood beside the front door.
Mia sat on the sofa, pale robe and was wearing a dark coat. Two suitcases stood beside the front door.
Mia sat on the sofa, pale and motionless.
Linda looked at my father.
“Where have you been?””
He didn't answer.
She glanced at the folder in his hand.
and motionless.
Linda looked at my father.
“Where have you been?””
He didn't answer.
She glanced at the folder in his hand.
“You found it, didn't you?””
My father stopped walking.
“What did“You found it, didn't you?””
My father stopped walking.
“What did you know about Thomas?””
Linda's face drained of color.
Mia stood.
“Mom you know about Thomas?””
Linda's face drained of color.
Mia stood.
“Mom?””
Linda looked at her daughter, then back at my father.
“Richard, please.””
?””
Linda looked at her daughter, then back at my father.
“Richard, please.””
“Did you know my brother was alive?””
Her lips trembled.
“Yes.””
The word landed with a terrible final“Did you know my brother was alive?””
Her lips trembled.
“Yes.””
The word landed with a terrible finality.
My father stared at her.
“How long?””
Linda closed her eyes.
“Since before we married.””
Mity.
My father stared at her.
“How long?””
Linda closed her eyes.
“Since before we married.””
Mia made a small, wounded sound.
My father took a step forward.
“You knew myia made a small, wounded sound.
My father took a step forward.
“You knew my brother was alive when you married me?””
“Yes.””
“And you let my mother believe he was dead?””
Linda began to cry.
“I didn't know how brother was alive when you married me?””
“Yes.””
“And you let my mother believe he was dead?””
Linda began to cry.
“I didn't know how to tell you.””
“You had six years to tell me.””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at me.
Then to tell you.””
“You had six years to tell me.””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at me.
Then at the documents.
“Of what would happen if the truth came out.””
My father shook his head slowly at the documents.
“Of what would happen if the truth came out.””
My father shook his head slowly.
“Tell me everything.””
Linda sank into a chair.
She explained that Daniel had introduced her to Thomas shortly after Peter.
“Tell me everything.””
Linda sank into a chair.
She explained that Daniel had introduced her to Thomas shortly after Peter's death. Thomas had been living under a different name, claiming he needed to's death. Thomas had been living under a different name, claiming he needed to stay hidden because of debts and threats connected to a failed business venture.
Linda had stay hidden because of debts and threats connected to a failed business venture.
Linda had believed him.
At first.
Thomas told her that Peter had created the company believed him.
At first.
Thomas told her that Peter had created the company to protect the property. He claimed the company was supposed to manage the rental income until Evelyn to protect the property. He claimed the company was supposed to manage the rental income until Evelyn became an adult.
But after my mother died, the arrangements changed became an adult.
But after my mother died, the arrangements changed.
Thomas began demanding access to the accounts.
Daniel handled the paperwork.
Linda was told that the money.
Thomas began demanding access to the accounts.
Daniel handled the paperwork.
Linda was told that the money was being invested and that everyone would eventually benefit.
“When did you learn Thomas was being invested and that everyone would eventually benefit.
“When did you learn Thomas was alive?”” my father asked.
“Eight years ago.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because Thomas was alive?”” my father asked.
“Eight years ago.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because Thomas said you would destroy him.””
“He was my brother!””
“He said said you would destroy him.””
“He was my brother!””
“He said you would send him to prison.””
My father stared at her.
“Was he right you would send him to prison.””
My father stared at her.
“Was he right?””
Linda didn't answer.
“Did you help him move the money?””
She wiped her?””
Linda didn't answer.
“Did you help him move the money?””
She wiped her face.
“Yes.””
“Did you know he was using my signature?””
“I knew some documents face.
“Yes.””
“Did you know he was using my signature?””
“I knew some documents had been signed in your name.””
“By whom?””
“Daniel handled most of had been signed in your name.””
“By whom?””
“Daniel handled most of the paperwork. Thomas said everything was legal.””
My father closed his eyes.
“And the company the paperwork. Thomas said everything was legal.””
My father closed his eyes.
“And the company?””
Linda's voice became barely audible.
“Thomas controlled it.””
“Who benefited?””
?””
Linda's voice became barely audible.
“Thomas controlled it.””
“Who benefited?””
She looked toward the floor.
“Thomas. Daniel. And me.””
Mia backed away from herShe looked toward the floor.
“Thomas. Daniel. And me.””
Mia backed away from her mother.
“You told me the money was yours.””
Linda looked up.
“I wanted to make mother.
“You told me the money was yours.””
Linda looked up.
“I wanted to make sure you were taken care of.””
“You bought me a car with Evelyn's money?””
Linda sure you were taken care of.””
“You bought me a car with Evelyn's money?””
Linda said nothing.
“You paid my rent with Evelyn's money?””
Still nothing.
Mia's said nothing.
“You paid my rent with Evelyn's money?””
Still nothing.
Mia's face crumpled.
“I told everyone she was spoiled because she worked so face crumpled.
“I told everyone she was spoiled because she worked so hard. I laughed at her clothes. I made fun of her scholarship. And all this time, you were taking money that belonged to her?””
Linda hard. I laughed at her clothes. I made fun of her scholarship. And all this time, you were taking money that belonged to her?””
Linda reached for her daughter.
“Mia, I was trying to give you opportunities.””
Mia reached for her daughter.
“Mia, I was trying to give you opportunities.””
Mia stepped away.
“You gave me things I didn't earn and taught me to despise stepped away.
“You gave me things I didn't earn and taught me to despise someone who earned everything herself.””
Linda began sobbing.
My father turned toward the window.
I someone who earned everything herself.””
Linda began sobbing.
My father turned toward the window.
I had never seen him look so broken.
For years, he had believed that he was building a new family had never seen him look so broken.
For years, he had believed that he was building a new family after losing my mother. He had trusted Linda with his home, his finances, and his daughter after losing my mother. He had trusted Linda with his home, his finances, and his daughter.
Now he was discovering that the person he had invited into our lives had been hiding a secret.
Now he was discovering that the person he had invited into our lives had been hiding a secret that reached back to the woman he had loved first.
“Why did you stay with me?”” he that reached back to the woman he had loved first.
“Why did you stay with me?”” he asked.
Linda looked up.
“Because I loved you.””
He turned.
“Did asked.
Linda looked up.
“Because I loved you.””
He turned.
“Did you?””
“Yes.””
“Or did you love the life I could provide?””
She shook her head.
“I loved you.””
you?””
“Yes.””
“Or did you love the life I could provide?””
She shook her head.
“I loved you.””
“Then why did you help someone steal from my daughter?””
Linda had no answer.
My father walked toward the front door and opened it.
“Pack the rest of your things“Then why did you help someone steal from my daughter?””
Linda had no answer.
My father walked toward the front door and opened it.
“Pack the rest of your things.””
She stared at him.
“Richard…”
“You can stay with a.””
She stared at him.
“Richard…”
“You can stay with a friend or arrange somewhere else to live. Robert will contact your attorney about the financial investigation. I won't discuss the friend or arrange somewhere else to live.
Robert will contact your attorney about the financial investigation. I won't discuss the legal issues without him.””
“You're throwing me out?””
“ legal issues without him.””
“You're throwing me out?””
“I'm ending our marriage.””
Mia covered her mouth.
Linda stood slowly.
“You can't do this.””
“II'm ending our marriage.””
Mia covered her mouth.
Linda stood slowly.
“You can't do this.””
“I can.””
“You promised to take care of us.””
“I promised to love you. I never promised to let can.””
“You promised to take care of us.””
“I promised to love you. I never promised to let you destroy my family.””
Linda looked at me with hatred.
“You're happy now, aren't you?””
I felt the you destroy my family.””
Linda looked at me with hatred.
“You're happy now, aren't you?””
I felt the old instinct to apologize.
Then I remembered the dress.
The note.
The years of silence.
“No,” I old instinct to apologize.
Then I remembered the dress.
The note.
The years of silence.
“No,” I said.
“I'm heartbroken. There's a difference.””
She stared at me.
For once, she had said.
“I'm heartbroken. There's a difference.””
She stared at me.
For once, she had no reply.
She picked up her suitcases and walked through the open door.
M no reply.
She picked up her suitcases and walked through the open door.
Mia remained beside the sofa, shaking.
My father closed the door.
ia remained beside the sofa, shaking.
My father closed the door.
Nobody spoke for a long time.
Then Mia whispered, “What happens to me now?””
My father turned toward her.
“You're anNobody spoke for a long time.
Then Mia whispered, “What happens to me now?””
My father turned toward her.
“You're an adult, Mia. You'll need to take responsibility for your choices.””
She nodded adult, Mia. You'll need to take responsibility for your choices.””
She nodded, tears streaming down her face.
“Does that mean I have to leave, too?””
“Not tonight. But we need, tears streaming down her face.
“Does that mean I have to leave, too?””
“Not tonight. But we need boundaries. You'll need to pay back what you can, cooperate with the investigation, and boundaries. You'll need to pay back what you can, cooperate with the investigation, and stop expecting your mother to fix every consequence for you.””
Mia looked at me.
“I stop expecting your mother to fix every consequence for you.””
Mia looked at me.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.””
“Good,” I said quietly.
“Because I can't don't expect you to forgive me.””
“Good,” I said quietly.
“Because I can't yet.””
She nodded.
“But I do want you to become someone who wouldn't do yet.””
She nodded.
“But I do want you to become someone who wouldn't do this again.””
Mia lowered her head.
“I want that, too.””
My father went upstairs to this again.””
Mia lowered her head.
“I want that, too.””
My father went upstairs to his study.
I stayed in the living room, looking at the empty space where his study.
I stayed in the living room, looking at the empty space where Linda's suitcases had stood.
My phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
The Linda's suitcases had stood.
My phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
The message contained only one sentence.
**Your father doesn't know what happened to Peter, and message contained only one sentence.
*Your father doesn't know what happened to Peter, and neither does Linda.*
A second message arrived.
*Meet me alone if you want the truth neither does Linda.*
A second message arrived.
*Meet me alone if you want the truth about your mother.*
My hands began to tremble.
I showed the messages to my father.
He read them twice, then called Robert.
“Someone is contacting about your mother.**
My hands began to tremble.
I showed the messages to my father.
He read them twice, then called Robert.
“Someone is contacting Evelyn about the investigation,” he said.
“We need to establish who it is before she responds.””
I Evelyn about the investigation,” he said.
“We need to establish who it is before she responds.””
I nodded.
I wasn't going anywhere alone.
A third message appeared.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed nodded.
I wasn't going anywhere alone.
A third message appeared.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside a man in front of a hospital. She my mother standing beside a man in front of a hospital. She looked tired but alive. The man had his arm around her shoulders.
I recognized him immediately.
Uncle Peter.
But the photograph was dated looked tired but alive. The man had his arm around her shoulders.
I recognized him immediately.
Uncle Peter.
But the photograph was dated three weeks after the accident that supposedly killed him.
And written beneath it was a three weeks after the accident that supposedly killed him.
And written beneath it was a message that made my father sink into the nearest chair.
**Peter didn't die in that message that made my father sink into the nearest chair.
**Peter didn't die in that accident. Thomas arranged the funeral. Your mother knew the truth—and she spent the accident.
Thomas arranged the funeral. Your mother knew the truth—and she spent the rest of her life trying to hide it from you.**
My father stared at the screen.
“No,” he whispered.
Then rest of her life trying to hide it from you.**
My father stared at the screen.
“No,” he whispered.
Then the phone rang.
The caller ID showed the same unknown number.
My father answered on speaker.
A the phone rang.
The caller ID showed the same unknown number.
My father answered on speaker.
A man's voice spoke.
“Richard, my name is Peter Hayes.””
My father's face went man's voice spoke.
“Richard, my name is Peter Hayes.””
My father's face went completely white.
“I think it's time you learned why your wife was really completely white.
“I think it's time you learned why your wife was really afraid.””
The voice paused.
Then he added, “And why your brother was willing to let the afraid.””
The voice paused.
May you like
Then he added, “And why your brother was willing to let the world believe he was dead.””
world believe he was dead.””
