Chapter 11 - My Brother Finally Broke
Melissa spun toward Derek.
“You idiot.”
He stared at her.
“No.”
His voice was different now.
For the first time, he sounded finished.
“I've been an idiot for two years.”
She stepped toward him.
“Don't do this.”
“You told me Mom understood those papers.”
“She did.”
“She had a fever of one hundred and three.”
“She was conscious.”
“She thought she was signing insurance forms.”
Melissa looked toward Franklin.
“Tell them to stop.”
Franklin didn't move.
“Melissa, I strongly recommend you stop speaking.”
That frightened her more than anything else.
Derek sat down.
Then he looked at me.
“I need to tell you something.”
I said nothing.
He pulled out his phone.
“There are recordings.”
Melissa lunged toward him.
I stepped between them.
“What recordings?”
Derek unlocked a hidden folder.
Audio files filled the screen.
“I started recording her after she threatened me.”
“When?”
“Six months ago.”
Melissa screamed.
“You pathetic coward.”
Derek ignored her.
“She said if I didn't cooperate, she'd report me for the forged documents and make sure I took all the blame.”
I stared at him.
“You did help forge them.”
“I know.”
“So you're not innocent.”
“I know.”
For once, he didn't make an excuse.
He pressed play.
Melissa's voice filled the room.
“You already signed the witness line, Derek.”
“Don't start pretending you're moral now.”
Then Derek's recorded voice answered.
“My mother doesn't know what she signed.”
Melissa laughed.
“She doesn't need to.”
Mom covered her mouth.
The recording continued.
“Once the refinance closes, we pay Victor and get rid of the old woman.”
My mother started crying.
Derek stopped the recording.
Nobody spoke.
Even Melissa looked stunned that he had saved it.
I stepped toward her.
“Get rid of her?”
Melissa recovered quickly.
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“What did you mean?”
“I meant move her somewhere else.”
“Against her will?”
“She wanted to leave.”
“Because you made her afraid to stay.”
Melissa looked at Mom.
“You were miserable before I ever came here.”
Mom flinched.
I moved closer.
“Don't speak to her.”
Franklin stood.
“Melissa, I think we should go.”
She laughed.
“Go where?”
“Anywhere else.”
“This is my residence.”
Caroline answered.
“Not for much longer.”
Melissa looked around the room.
Then her eyes landed on the safe.
Before anyone realized what she was doing, she grabbed the green folder and ran.
“Melissa!”
She raced through the hallway.
Derek followed.
I reached the front door just as she climbed into her SUV.
She reversed so fast that one tire hit the curb.
Then she disappeared down the street.
Derek stared after her.
“What was in that folder?”
Caroline looked grim.
“The original trust summary.”
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Victor Kane's voice came through.
“Ms. Carter?”
“Yes.”
“I believe your sister-in-law has something that belongs to me.”
“What?”
“A promissory note.”
May you like
He paused.
“And if she decides to run, you need to know she has already put your mother's name on it.”
