Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Dark
The weight of Leo’s confession struck Marcus with the force of a physical blow. Arthur wasn’t just trying to preserve family pride or keep an inheritance intact; he was actively eliminating heirs. Marcus’s mind raced through the past three months since his mother’s sudden passing from what the doctors called an unexpected stroke.
Had that been natural? Or had she too been quietly erased?
Marcus pulled out his phone, clicking the call button for his private investigator, Donald Reyes. The phone rang three times before connecting.
""Marcus? Did Elena deliver?"" Donald asked immediately.
""Donald, I need you to do something dangerous,"" Marcus said, keeping his voice dead and emotionless. ""I need an exhumation order for my mother’s body. Off the record. Use whatever contacts you have in the coroner's office.""
There was a stunned pause on the other end. ""Marcus... that’s grave tampering unless you have solid proof. If Arthur catches wind—""
""Arthur is the one who poisoned her,"" Marcus interrupted, his tone chillingly certain. ""And he just tried to kill Elena and my child. He’s at my house right now with Vanessa. They took a mahogany box from my safe.""
Donald inhaled sharply. ""The mahogany box? Marcus... your mother gave me a copy of her private diary before she passed. She said Arthur kept a ledger of offshore shell companies used to launder money through Eastern Europe. If that’s what was in that box, it holds enough evidence to put Arthur Vance in federal prison for life.""
""He doesn't want prison,"" Marcus said, staring down the long, empty hospital corridor. ""He wants Elena dead so her inheritance reverts to the Vance estate trust, which he completely controls.""
""Marcus,"" Donald’s voice dropped an octave, tight with fear. ""Get out of the hospital right now.""
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""What are you talking about?""
""Arthur just checked in at the hospital security desk downstairs. He didn't come alone.""
