HER FATHER'S SECRET
1098 Words
Naledi didn't accuse her father immediately.
She wanted to.
Every part of her wanted to.
But Maseko had taught her one thing already.
Evidence first.
Emotion later.
They returned to her father's office the following morning.
The receptionist recognised Naledi but said nothing about the arrest. Her eyes lingered on Naledi's face before quickly dropping to the computer screen.
“Your father is inside,” she said.
Naledi nodded.
Maseko followed her.
The office looked different now. Not because anything had changed, but because she was seeing it differently.
Every locked drawer seemed suspicious.
Every conversation seemed rehearsed.
Her father stood behind his desk.
“You shouldn't have come.”
“I know.”
He looked at Maseko.
“You found something.”
“Yes.”
Her father sighed.
“Then you know.”
“Know what?”
“That I accessed the account.”
Naledi went still.
Maseko remained calm.
“When?”
“The night before the transfer.”
“Why?”
Her father sat down.
“Because I was trying to stop it.”
Naledi frowned.
“Stop what?”
“Someone had already moved money.”
“How much?”
“Eleven million.”
The same amount.
“Richard's money?”
Her father nodded.
“It had been hidden inside the trust.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I thought I could fix it.”
“You've been saying that my whole life.”
He looked hurt.
Naledi didn't care.
“Who moved it?”
“I don't know.”
“Portia?”
He looked away.
That was enough.
Naledi felt tears sting her eyes.
“You knew.”
“I suspected.”
“You suspected and did nothing.”
“I had no proof.”
“You could have protected me.”
“I was trying to.”
“No. You were protecting the family name.”
Her father didn't answer.
Maseko stepped forward.
“Why was the trust used?”
Her father rubbed his forehead.
“Richard discovered that money was being moved through several companies. Portia was involved with one of them.”
Naledi closed her eyes.
“How involved?”
“I don't know.”
“Did she know about the money?”
“Yes.”
Her father's voice was barely audible.
“She knew.”
Naledi stared at him.
“Then why is she still in the trust?”
“Because removing her without proof would have destroyed everything.”
“It may destroy everything anyway.”
Her father looked at her.
“You don't understand what Portia is capable of.”
“Then tell me.”
He remained silent.
Naledi slammed her hand against the desk.
“Tell me!”
Her father flinched.
“She killed Richard.”
Naledi froze.
“You know that?”
“I believe she did.”
“And my mother?”
He looked at her.
“I don't know.”
Naledi's eyes filled with tears.
“You don't know?”
“I never found proof.”
She turned away.
Maseko gently touched her shoulder.
Her father watched them.
Something passed across his face.
Concern.
Or guilt.
Naledi couldn't tell anymore.
Her father opened a drawer and removed a small envelope.
“This belonged to your mother.”
Naledi stared at it.
“Why didn't you give it to me?”
“I was afraid.”
She took it.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
The first line made her heart stop.
If anything happens to me, don't trust Portia.
Naledi covered her mouth.
Maseko read over her shoulder.
The letter continued.
I found records connecting her to Richard's missing money. I gave copies to someone I trust. If I die before I can expose her, the truth is not in the house. Look where Richard kept what he feared losing.
Naledi looked up.
“What does that mean?”
Her father shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Maseko took the letter.
“Who did your mother trust?”
Her father looked at Naledi.
“Your mother had a younger sister.”
Naledi frowned.
“My mother was an only child.”
“That's what I was told.”
Her father looked away.
Naledi's mind spun.
“What are you saying?”
“I discovered the truth after your mother died.”
“Where is she?”
“I don't know.”
Maseko's phone rang.
He stepped away to answer.
Naledi looked at her father.
“Did Portia know about this?”
“Yes.”
“Of course she did.”
Her father stood.
“You need to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because I received a message this morning.”
“What message?”
He took out his phone.
Naledi read it.
STOP TALKING.
Her blood ran cold.
“Who sent it?”
“I don't know.”
The door opened.
Portia walked in.
She looked at Naledi.
Then her husband.
Then the letter in Naledi's hand.
For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.
“You found it.”
Naledi's voice was quiet.
“My mother left this.”
Portia's face hardened.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
“It's private.”
“It belongs to me.”
Portia stepped closer.
“You don't understand what you're holding.”
Naledi stared at her.
“Then explain it.”
Portia's eyes filled with something Naledi couldn't name.
Fear.
Regret.
Maybe both.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
Portia didn't answer.
Maseko returned.
“What happened?”
Naledi looked at him.
“Portia knows about my mother's letter.”
Maseko stepped between them.
Portia looked at him.
“You should leave this family alone.”
He didn't move.
“That's not going to happen.”
Portia's gaze shifted to Naledi.
“You have no idea what your mother was involved in.”
Naledi's voice shook.
“My mother was trying to protect me.”
“No,” Portia whispered.
“She was trying to expose me.”
Silence.
Portia had said it.
Not directly.
But enough.
Naledi stared at her.
Portia realised her mistake.
Then she smiled.
It was the same smile she had worn for twenty years.
Perfect.
Controlled.
Almost motherly.
“You'll regret asking questions,” she said.
Then she walked out.
Naledi watched the door close.
Maseko looked at her.
“She just admitted more than she intended.”
Naledi held the letter tightly.
For the first time, she wasn't afraid of Portia.
She was angry.
And anger, she was beginning to realise, could be useful.
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