Chapter 13: The Man I Buried
I couldn't speak.
Neither could Daniel's mother.
She stood frozen beside the grave, one hand pressed against her mouth.
The voice on the phone came again.
“Emily, are you there?””
I swallowed.
“Dad?””
“Yes.””
My knees nearly gave out.
I grabbed the headstone.
“How?””
“I'll explain everything. But you need to leave the cemetery.””
“Where are you?””
“Not here.””
“Are you alive?””
A quiet breath came through the speaker.
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
Six years of grief suddenly collided with six years of lies.
“You let me bury you.””
“I know.””
“You let me believe you were dead.””
“I had no choice.””
I laughed through tears.
“No choice? You had a funeral. I watched them lower a coffin into the ground.””
“It wasn't me.””
My eyes opened.
“What?””
“The man in that coffin wasn't me.””
Daniel's mother whispered, “Oh God.””
I looked at her.
“You knew.””
She shook her head rapidly.
“I knew something was wrong. I didn't know this.””
I turned away.
“Dad, why did you do this to me?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“That is what everyone says.””
“I know.””
His voice broke.
“And I'm sorry.””
I pressed the phone against my ear.
“Tell me everything.””
“Not over the phone.””
“Why?””
“Because Harris is listening.””
My stomach tightened.
“The attorney?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“He has access to Daniel's accounts, your trust records, and several private investigators.””
I looked around the dark cemetery.
“Who can I trust?””
There was a long silence.
Then he said, “Rachel.””
I looked at her.
She was standing a few feet away, crying silently.
“Why Rachel?””
“Because her father knew the truth.””
“What truth?””
“That Daniel's family stole the original investment.””
I frowned.
“Daniel's family?””
“His father and Harris.””
The pieces shifted again.
My father continued.
“They created a company together. Your father-in-law handled the business. Harris handled the legal documents. Money disappeared.””
“And you found out?””
“Yes.””
“What happened then?””
“I threatened to expose them.””
“And they killed you?””
“No.””
“Then why fake your death?””
“Because they tried.””
I stopped breathing.
My father continued.
“There was an accident.””
“What kind?””
“Brake failure.””
I gripped the phone harder.
“I survived.””
“But everyone thought you died.””
“Harris identified the body.””
My stomach dropped.
“He told everyone it was you.””
“Yes.””
“Why would he do that?””
“Because he needed me officially dead.””
“Why?””
“So he could access the business records without me.””
I looked at the grave.
“What about Mom?””
“She didn't know.””
“And me?””
“I wanted you safe.””
“You weren't there.””
“I watched you from a distance.””
The tears came before I could stop them.
“You watched me?””
“Yes.””
“Getting married?””
“Yes.””
“You watched me marry Daniel?””
“Yes.””
I covered my mouth.
“How could you let me marry him?””
“I tried to stop it.””
“You didn't.””
“I sent your mother-in-law to warn you.””
I looked at the woman beside me.
She began crying harder.
“She warned me,” I whispered.
My father answered softly.
“But you were already in love.””
I looked down at the letter.
“He knew about the trust.””
“Yes.””
“And the house.””
“Yes.””
“He married me for it.””
“I believe so.””
I felt anger replace the grief.
“Why didn't you come back?””
“Because Harris still had people watching you.””
“And now?””
“Now he believes you're signing away the house.””
I looked at the documents in my hand.
“I'm not.””
“I know.””
“Then why are you calling me?””
“Because Harris has already moved to the final stage.””
“What final stage?””
My father hesitated.
“Daniel isn't the only person who forged your signature.””
The cemetery seemed to go silent.
“What?””
“There are two forged documents.””
I stared at the papers.
“One was the refinance.””
“Yes.””
“And the other?””
“Your father's death certificate.””
I stopped.
“What?””
“Harris forged the records that established my death.””
My fingers went numb.
“Why?””
“Because the trust required my death before certain assets could transfer.””
I looked at the headstone.
“Then whose grave is this?””
“Someone Harris paid to disappear.””
I couldn't breathe.
My father spoke again.
“Emily, you need to get to the old warehouse on Franklin Road.””
“Why?””
“Because that's where I kept the original records.””
“What records?””
“The ones that can put Harris in prison.””
A car engine suddenly started behind me.
I turned.
A black sedan was parked at the cemetery entrance.
My father heard my silence.
“Emily?””
I whispered, “Someone is here.””
“Leave now.””
The call ended.
Rachel grabbed my arm.
“Come on.””
We ran toward my car.
Before I reached it, headlights flashed.
The sedan accelerated.
It swerved toward us.
Rachel shoved me sideways.
The car missed us by inches and disappeared down the road.
I stood there shaking.
Then I noticed something lying on the wet pavement.
A phone.
Not mine.
Rachel picked it up.
The screen was still lit.
May you like
One message was open.
*Harris: Get Emily before she reaches the warehouse.*
