Chapter 7 - THE BROTHER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Peter stared at the document.
He read the name again.
Then again.
But the letters refused to change.
Thomas Calder.
His own brother.
Aaron’s older brother.
The man who had stood beside Peter at the funeral.
The man who had cried when Aaron was buried.
The man who had told everyone:
"We have to stay strong for the children."
The beneficiary of Aaron’s life insurance.
“No.”
Peter pushed the paper away.
Megan Collins watched him carefully.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
Peter looked at her.
“You don’t know anything about my family.”
Megan didn’t react.
“Your family is exactly why I’m telling you.”
Peter stood up.
“You’re saying Thomas was involved?”
“I’m saying Aaron suspected him.”
The room became silent.
Peter shook his head.
“That’s impossible.”
Megan looked at him.
“Is it?”
Peter didn’t answer.
Because suddenly…
everything started connecting.
The excuses.
The missing information.
The way Thomas always defended Reena.
The way he discouraged Peter from asking questions.
Three years earlier.
After Aaron’s funeral.
Peter remembered sitting in Thomas’s kitchen.
Peter had been broken.
Lost.
He had wanted answers.
“Something feels wrong,” Peter had said.
Thomas had looked at him.
“Peter, you need to let it go.”
Peter remembered those words.
At the time, he thought Thomas was trying to help.
Now…
they sounded different.
Megan opened another file.
“Aaron found financial transfers.”
Peter looked down.
“What kind of transfers?”
“Payments.”
“To who?”
Megan hesitated.
“Your brother.”
Peter’s stomach tightened.
“Thomas?”
She nodded.
“Large amounts.”
Peter stared.
“How much?”
“Enough to make someone stay quiet.”
The next morning, Peter went to Thomas’s house.
He didn’t call.
He didn’t warn him.
He needed to see his reaction.
Thomas opened the door.
His expression changed when he saw Peter.
“Peter?”
Peter held up the document.
“Can we talk?”
Thomas looked at the paper.
Then immediately stepped back.
“Where did you get that?”
Peter froze.
Because that wasn’t denial.
That was fear.
Inside the house, Thomas poured coffee.
His hands shook slightly.
Peter noticed.
“You know what this is.”
Thomas stayed silent.
“Answer me.”
Thomas sighed.
“I was hoping you’d never find out.”
Peter felt his chest tighten.
“Find out what?”
Thomas looked older suddenly.
“Your brother asked me for help.”
Peter stared.
“Aaron?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Months before he died.”
Peter stepped closer.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Thomas looked away.
“Because Aaron made me promise.”
Peter laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
A pause.
“Everyone made promises while those kids suffered.”
Thomas sat down.
“Aaron discovered what Reena was doing.”
Peter’s anger softened slightly.
“Then why did you help hide it?”
Thomas looked ashamed.
“I didn’t.”
Peter slammed the document onto the table.
“Then explain this.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“The insurance money.”
“Yes.”
Thomas took a breath.
“Your brother changed his policy.”
Peter frowned.
“What?”
“He knew something might happen.”
Peter froze.
“He changed it?”
Thomas nodded.
“He put me as the beneficiary temporarily.”
“Why?”
Thomas looked at him.
“Because he was planning to leave Reena.”
Peter stood completely still.
Aaron was planning to escape.
He was planning to save Drew and Lily.
Thomas continued.
“He wanted to collect evidence first.”
Peter whispered:
“Why?”
“Because he knew Reena would fight back.”
Peter looked down.
“And you helped him?”
Thomas nodded.
“I did.”
“Then why did you lie?”
Thomas’s face broke.
“Because Aaron died before he could finish.”
The room became quiet.
Then Peter asked:
“What happened the night Aaron died?”
Thomas looked away.
“I don't know.”
Peter narrowed his eyes.
“You’re lying.”
Thomas looked at him.
“I know someone was there.”
“Who?”
Thomas swallowed.
“Reena.”
Peter felt anger rise.
“You knew?”
“I suspected.”
“And you said nothing?”
Thomas looked devastated.
“I had no proof.”
Peter shook his head.
“No.”
He stepped back.
“You were afraid.”
Thomas didn’t deny it.
That evening, Peter returned to the hospital.
Drew was awake.
He looked at Peter.
“Did you find out?”
Peter sat beside him.
“Yes.”
“Is Dad in trouble?”
Peter looked confused.
“What?”
Drew lowered his eyes.
“Dad always said he was sorry.”
Peter froze.
“Sorry for what?”
Drew whispered:
“For not being able to save us.”
Peter felt tears burn his eyes.
“He tried.”
Drew shook his head.
“He tried opening the door.”
Peter went still.
“What door?”
“The basement door.”
Drew looked frightened.
“The night before he died.”
Peter leaned forward.
“Drew, tell me everything.”
The boy looked around.
Like he was checking if someone was listening.
“Dad found the room.”
Peter held his breath.
“He opened it.”
“What happened?”
Drew whispered:
“Reena was there.”
Peter’s face changed.
“With who?”
Drew’s eyes filled with fear.
“Uncle Thomas.”
Peter froze.
The room went silent.
Because Thomas had just told him he was helping Aaron.
But Drew had just said…
Thomas was there with Reena.
That night, Peter confronted Thomas again.
But Thomas wasn’t home.
The front door was unlocked.
Inside…
everything was destroyed.
Furniture overturned.
Drawers emptied.
Someone had searched the house.
Peter walked into the living room.
On the floor was a note.
Only one sentence.
Written in black ink.
“You should have left the past buried, Peter.”
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Peter answered.
A voice whispered:
“You’re looking in the wrong direction.”
Peter froze.
“Who is this?”
The voice continued:
“Your brother trusted the wrong person.”
Peter’s grip tightened.
“Who?”
A pause.
Then:
“The person who opened the basement door.”
The call ended.
Peter stared at the empty room.
Because now he understood.
Someone was still protecting Reena.
Someone was still hiding the truth.
May you like
And the most terrifying part…
They knew Peter was getting closer.
