Uncle Richard’s Story
Chapter 06 - Uncle Richard’s Story
Richard entered the garage without being invited.
He had been doing that Ethan’s entire life.
Walking into rooms as if he already knew he belonged there.
He looked at Nathan and gave a tired sigh.
“So you found him.”
Ethan folded his arms.
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew.”
Lauren stepped closer to Ethan.
Richard nodded at the letter.
“And I assume he showed you whatever version of history his mother left behind.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed.
“My mother kept Edward’s letters.”
“Your mother kept leverage.”
Nathan’s hands curled.
Ethan noticed and spoke before the room could explode.
“Tell me about the trust.”
Richard did not answer immediately.
He looked toward the driveway.
Then he removed his glasses.
“Your father was a generous man and a terrible businessman.”
“Did he create the account?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to it?”
“Debt.”
Nathan shook his head.
“The statements show withdrawals after Edward died.”
Richard turned to him.
“Legal expenses. Taxes. Liens.”
“Four hundred thousand dollars?”
“Over eleven years, yes.”
Lauren said, “There are no matching tax filings.”
Richard gave her a thin smile.
“You’ve become quite the investigator.”
Ethan stepped between them.
“Don’t talk to her like that.”
Richard looked at his nephew and softened his voice.
“I protected you.”
“By lying?”
“By cleaning up your father’s mess.”
He pointed at Nathan.
“That man appeared after decades and wanted money. Edward panicked. He changed documents every other week. He was going to tear your mother apart.”
“My mother knew?” Ethan asked.
Richard paused.
Too long.
Ethan saw it.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Richard put his glasses back on.
“Diane knew there had been another child. She did not know Edward had reconnected with him.”
Ethan felt the room shift again.
His mother had died five years earlier.
Another person who could no longer explain herself.
Richard continued.
“Edward asked me to keep the matter quiet after his accident. I did what I thought was best.”
Nathan laughed bitterly.
“You forged the transfer.”
Richard’s face changed.
Just slightly.
But Lauren saw it too.
Ethan reached for the document.
Richard suddenly grabbed the metal box from the workbench.
Nathan moved.
Richard backed away.
May you like
Then everyone heard the sound of paper tearing.
Richard had ripped the original letter in half.
