Chapter 15 - What Thomas Knew
Patricia finally told us the truth about her husband’s final weeks.
Thomas Bennett had discovered Vanessa stealing money from the company.
She was twenty-seven at the time.
Recently divorced.
Deep in debt.
She had used company accounts to cover luxury purchases and gambling losses.
Thomas confronted her.
Vanessa promised to repay everything.
Then she discovered Michael’s earlier fraud.
Brother and sister made a deal.
Michael protected Vanessa.
Vanessa protected Michael.
When Thomas threatened to expose them both, Michael begged him for time.
Thomas refused.
Two days later, he changed his will.
That was why the grandchildren’s trust existed.
Thomas no longer trusted his own children.
Patricia knew most of it.
She hid the truth after his death because she feared scandal.
“You protected them.”
I stared at her across Daniel’s conference table.
“And they became worse.”
Patricia cried quietly.
“Yes.”
Michael joined the meeting through his attorney.
He had been released pending further investigation but was forbidden from contacting me or removing the children.
For the first time, he admitted everything.
The company had hidden losses.
Vanessa had stolen money.
He had forged signatures.
He had moved my inheritance.
He had lied about Rebecca.
He had manipulated Noah.
He had planned the emergency custody filing.
But he denied planting the drugs.
“I never wanted Claire hurt.”
I stared at the screen.
“You wanted me declared unstable.”
“I thought it would last a few days.”
“You were taking my children across state lines.”
“I was going to bring them back.”
“When?”
He could not answer.
“When I surrendered my ownership?”
His eyes filled with shame.
“I thought you would sign.”
“So the children were leverage.”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
That single word ended whatever remained of our marriage.
Daniel asked Michael about Thomas’s note.
Michael became quiet.
“Dad knew Vanessa was dangerous.”
“How?”
“She threatened him once.”
“With what?”
Michael hesitated.
“His medication.”
Patricia looked up sharply.
“What?”
Michael explained.
Thomas had heart disease.
He took several medications daily.
During their final argument, Vanessa grabbed one bottle and told him the family would be better without someone controlling everyone.
Michael claimed she returned it.
Thomas died of a heart attack ten days later.
No autopsy was performed.
The death had always been considered natural.
Patricia began shaking.
“You never told me.”
“I thought she was angry.”
“You never told me.”
She stood.
“You let me bury him without knowing?”
Michael lowered his head.
The financial investigation suddenly became something darker.
Detectives requested Thomas Bennett’s old medical files.
His death was too distant for easy answers.
But Vanessa’s history now carried another shadow.
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And while investigators searched the past, Vanessa made one desperate move in the present.
She disappeared.
