Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER WHO NEVER HAD A GRAVE
Roman Gallagher had never seen his brother's body.
That was the first thing he admitted when Detective Hart asked about Samuel.
"He disappeared after an argument with our father," Roman explained. "Patrick told everyone Samuel had been killed overseas."
"Was there a death certificate?" Olivia asked.
Roman shook his head.
"No."
I stared at him.
"Then why did you believe it?"
His expression darkened.
"Because my father controlled everything I was allowed to know."
For the first time, I realized Roman wasn't simply a powerful man protecting his empire.
He was someone who had grown up inside a family built on secrets.
Olivia searched public records.
Samuel Gallagher's name appeared in several old business filings.
He had been an accountant.
A whistleblower complaint had been submitted under his name shortly before he vanished.
The complaint accused Patrick Gallagher and Arthur Whitlock of using charitable organizations to conceal illegal financial transactions.
I looked at Roman.
"Your brother tried to expose them."
He nodded.
"And my father made him disappear."
Before Olivia could respond, Roman's phone rang.
Vincent.
"Boss, we found David."
Roman put the call on speaker.
"Where?"
"At a private office owned by Arthur Whitlock."
I felt sick.
"What was he doing there?"
Vincent hesitated.
"He was collecting another payment."
"For what?" Roman demanded.
"Information about Claire's mother."
Olivia leaned forward.
"Bring that information to us. Don't confront anyone."
Vincent agreed.
Twenty minutes later, Olivia received a surveillance photograph from investigators.
David stood outside Whitlock's office beside a man in a gray coat.
I recognized the man from an old family album.
"That's my uncle."
Roman looked at me.
"Your uncle?"
"Mom's younger brother. Thomas Bennett."
I hadn't seen him in years.
He had disappeared shortly after Mom's funeral.
Olivia examined the photograph.
"Your uncle may know something."
I stared at the screen.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
A man's voice whispered, "Claire?"
I knew that voice.
"Uncle Thomas?"
"Listen carefully. Your mother trusted the wrong people."
My heart hammered.
"Where is she?"
There was a long silence.
Then he said, "She's alive."
I nearly dropped the phone.
"Where?"
"Rosehaven."
"What is Rosehaven?"
"A private facility. Whitlock's people have been keeping her there."
My eyes filled with tears.
"Can I see her?"
Thomas's voice broke.
"Yes. But first you need to know something."
"What?"
"Samuel Gallagher is alive too."
I looked at Roman.
May you like
Then Thomas whispered the words that changed everything.
"And he's been protecting your mother for six years."
