Chapter 12 - THE SECOND MAN
Grant moved Claire behind him.
Owen entered through the side door.
Federal agents surrounded the church.
The approaching vehicle stopped outside.
A man stepped out with both hands raised.
Grant recognized him immediately.
Peter Caldwell.
His former chief financial officer.
Rachel cursed under her breath.
“He was supposed to be in federal custody.”
Peter shouted from outside.
“I’m not armed.”
“I came to help.”
Grant did not believe him.
Agents searched Peter and brought him inside.
He looked terrified.
“They moved me for questioning.”
“One of the marshals was compromised.”
“I escaped when the vehicle stopped.”
Rachel stared at him.
“You expect us to believe that?”
Peter looked at Claire.
“Ask her.”
Claire went pale.
“I know him.”
Grant turned.
Peter explained that three years earlier, Claire had contacted him secretly.
She believed Victor was moving money through Bennett Urban.
Peter initially refused to help.
Then he discovered Grant’s father had created hidden accounts using Grant’s identity.
Peter began copying records.
Victor found out.
From that moment, Peter had lived under threat.
“Why did you push through Silverline?”
Grant demanded.
“Because Victor had my daughter.”
The room went silent.
Peter showed them a photograph.
A sixteen-year-old girl.
“She disappeared two days ago.”
“Victor said she would come home if I approved the deal.”
Grant’s anger shifted.
Victor had built an empire out of fear.
Claire stepped forward.
“Victor isn’t the only person left.”
Grant looked at her.
“Who?”
Claire’s hands trembled.
“Your father had a partner.”
“Someone nobody suspected because she stayed outside Bennett Holdings.”
Grant felt a terrible certainty before Claire said the name.
“Your mother.”
Grant stared.
“My mother died when I was eighteen.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
“The woman buried as Eleanor Bennett was your aunt.”
Grant laughed in disbelief.
Claire reached into her coat.
She removed a photograph.
Henry Bennett.
Victor Hale.
And a woman Grant knew from childhood photographs as his mother.
The picture had been taken only two years earlier.
Grant could not breathe.
“That’s impossible.”
Claire explained.
Eleanor Bennett disappeared after a federal tax investigation began twenty-four years earlier.
The family staged her death using her terminally ill sister’s identity.
Henry raised Grant alone.
Eleanor moved overseas and continued managing hidden investments.
“She came back three years ago.”
Claire said.
“She took control after Henry died.”
Grant’s mind reeled.
Every belief about his family was collapsing.
“Where is she?”
Claire looked toward the windows.
“She calls herself Helen Ward now.”
Owen searched the name.
Nothing obvious appeared.
Then Marian called.
Her voice shook.
“Grant.”
“There’s a woman at the penthouse.”
“She says she’s your mother.”
Grant closed his eyes.
Sophie and Luke were there.
“Get the children out.”
Marian whispered.
“I can’t.”
May you like
Grant’s heart stopped.
“She already has them.”
