Faking His Death: The Truth

Chapter 2: The Bennett File

The next morning, Adrian arrived at the office earlier than usual.

He had barely sat down when Maya appeared at his door.

"I brought something for you," she said.

Adrian looked up from his computer.

"Another complaint about my design?"

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Not this time."

She placed a thin brown folder on his desk.

Adrian opened it.

Inside were copies of old property documents, photographs, and architectural drawings.

He recognized Victor Cole's signature on several of them.

"Where did you get these?"

"My father kept them."

Adrian looked at her.

"Your father?"

"Daniel Bennett."

Adrian remembered the name.

Maya pulled out one final document.

"This is the original property agreement."

Adrian studied it carefully.

According to the document, Maya's mother had not sold the land.

Someone had transferred ownership.

But the signature authorizing the transfer didn't look right.

"This signature..." Adrian whispered.

"You noticed it too."

Adrian looked at Maya.

"You think it was forged?"

"I don't know what to think."

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Adrian closed the folder.

"I'll investigate it."

Maya seemed surprised.

"You will?"

"I want to know the truth too."

Her expression softened.

"Thank you."

She turned to leave.

"Maya."

She stopped.

"Yes?"

Adrian smiled.

"Coffee?"

She stared at him for a moment.

"Is that part of your investigation?"

"Absolutely."

Maya laughed quietly.

"Fine. But you're buying."

As they walked toward the office café, neither noticed the man standing across the street.

He watched them through the window.

Then he took out his phone.

"She's with Adrian Cole," he said.

There was a pause.

The man's expression hardened.

"Yes. They're looking at the old documents."

Another pause.

He lowered his voice.

"Then we have a problem."

He ended the call.

Across the street, Adrian laughed at something Maya had said.

Neither of them knew that their search for the truth had already attracted someone's attention.

To Be Continued...