Ryan stepped out of his car and stood outside the church, battling an overwhelming mix of emotions. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to his father, not like this. “We couldn’t even give Dad a proper funeral,” he thought as his mind raced. Suddenly, Bella’s sharp bark broke his thoughts, jolting him back to reality.Turning to his car, Ryan noticed Bella acting more agitated than usual, pacing restlessly in her seat.
“Bella!” he called out firmly, giving her a hand signal to lie down. Obediently, Bella followed the command, though her eyes stayed locked on him, her tail still wagging in quick, anxious movements. Ryan leaned in and patted her head through the open window. “Now, stay, Bella.”
Ryan walked away, leaving Bella whining softly behind him, her agitation lingering in his mind. He entered the church, where his father Arnold’s casket rested at the front. The funeral director had cordoned off the immediate area, citing the infectious nature of Arnold’s illness.Taking a seat beside his grieving mother, Ryan tried to focus on the service. Arnold was to be cremated rather than buried due to the circumstances of his passing. Yet, as the mass concluded and the mourners began singing the final hymn, Bella’s sharp bark echoed through the church, cutting through the somber atmosphere.
Before anyone could react, Bella leaped onto the casket, sending the carefully arranged flowers tumbling to the floor. She barked relentlessly, her alertness drawing all eyes to the unexpected commotion.
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Bella’s behavior was unmistakable—she was in full alert mode. Ryan’s heart sank as a creeping sense of dread began to rise within him.
“Open the casket!” he demanded, his voice carrying a mix of authority and desperation.
The crowd collectively gasped, their whispers filling the air. But Ryan didn’t wait for permission or protest. He strode to the casket, his hands trembling as he lifted the lid, revealing the impossible truth—it was empty.
“Wh-Where’s my brother?” Ryan’s uncle stammered, his shock mirrored by the crowd. All eyes turned to the funeral director, whose face had turned as pale as the lilies scattered on the floor.Meanwhile, Ryan’s mother let out a small gasp before her body gave way to the overwhelming emotions. Her knees buckled, and her eyes rolled back as she fainted. Ryan moved quickly, catching her just before she hit the marble floor. Without a second thought, he carried her out and rushed her to the hospital.
Later, back at his mother’s house, Ryan placed a call to the police, determined to uncover the truth behind the macabre scene.
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“At this point, all we know is that the coroner confirmed the cause of death and released the remains to the funeral home,” Detective Bradshaw said, her voice calm but firm. “Was your father involved in any activities I should be aware of?”Ryan frowned, his thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief. He hadn’t been involved in his father’s business for years, focusing instead on his dog training and rehabilitation center. Still, he couldn’t imagine Arnold doing anything to tarnish his name or the family’s reputation.
Detective Bradshaw left with a promise to follow up as soon as new information emerged. But patience wasn’t one of Ryan’s strengths. With his mother under observation at the hospital and Bella safe at home, he decided to take matters into his own hands and headed straight to the morgue for answers.
“The coroner resigned? What about the new coroner?” The nurse at the reception desk informed Ryan with a nervous glance. Her response left him baffled and more determined than ever. When he requested to see his father’s file, she shook her head, citing strict hospital policies.Ryan’s frustration boiled over. He discreetly slid $1,000 across the counter, and after a long, tense moment, the nurse looked the other way. Seizing the chance, he slipped into the coroner’s office, his heart pounding as he rifled through the neatly arranged files. But his search came up empty—Arnold’s file was missing.
As Ryan’s despair deepened, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his father’s lawyer, Mr. Stevens, with urgent news: Ryan had been named the new CEO of Arnold’s company and was needed at the office immediately.
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Arriving at his father’s office, Ryan went straight to the desk and opened Arnold’s Gmail account on the office computer. But his hopes of finding any leads were dashed—the inbox was completely empty, wiped clean of any messages.”Ryan! Good to see you,” Mr. Stevens greeted Ryan as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.
“Who’s been using this computer?” Ryan asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. Someone had clearly been tampering with things, but who?
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“Nobody,” Mr. Stevens answered, his expression unreadable.Ryan’s gaze wandered to a shelf in the corner of the room. Two figurines that had always been part of his father’s collection were missing.
“Wait, where are the dancers?” he asked, pointing to the empty spots. “Oh, he took them home. Poor Arnold…he could never get the third figurine in the set. Can you believe the man who owns it won’t accept anything less than half a million?” Mr. Stevens replied with a heavy sigh, adding to the growing list of strange and unsettling developments.
Ryan was certain those figurines weren’t at his parents’ house. He had thoroughly combed through every room since arriving for the funeral and had seen no sign of them. The missing items only added to the growing list of mysteries surrounding his father’s supposed death.”But anyway, we have more important matters to discuss…” Mr. Stevens informed Ryan, explaining the financial troubles Arnold had been dealing with before his disappearance. Investors were losing patience, and several had already threatened to pull their support due to Arnold’s unexplained absences from important meetings.
“…and it all started when his new secretary began working here. With all due respect to Arnold and his family, I believe he was having a romantic relationship with her,” Mr. Stevens revealed, lowering his voice. The implications were deeply troubling, but Ryan wasn’t ready to jump to conclusions without proof.
Anger surged through Ryan as he imagined his mother’s heartache piling up alongside the mounting debts. He nearly stormed off to confront Miss Pearson directly, but Mr. Stevens managed to stop him, warning that such actions could tarnish Arnold’s reputation further.Instead, Ryan channeled his frustration into action. He spent the day addressing the company’s financial crisis, sending thoughtful gift baskets to the most critical investors in an attempt to salvage their trust. Once the immediate fires were under control, he turned his attention back to the mystery. Miss Pearson remained his best lead.
Later, he followed her to a modest suburban home. She parked in the garage, and Ryan waited outside in his car, watching and planning. When her car left the garage a while later, he seized the opportunity, slipping inside just as the door began to close. There, he discovered a door leading into her home.
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“This is quite compelling…” Detective Bradshaw commented as she examined the document. “Let me see what else I can find out about this Pearson woman.”Ryan waited near the front desk while the detective coordinated with her team. Minutes later, she returned with news that Miss Pearson was booked on a flight to Morocco, set to depart in less than 30 minutes.
“Since the US has no extradition treaty with the Moroccan government, it’s vital we bring her in for questioning before she boards the plane!”
Despite being told he couldn’t join the officers, Ryan refused to stay behind. He followed them to the airport, determined to see this through. The tension in the air was palpable as they approached the boarding gate.”Police!” Detective Bradshaw shouted as her team moved in. “Let us through!”
Ryan blended in with the group, slipping past security as the officers spread out to search the passengers. The atmosphere grew increasingly charged as the minutes ticked by.
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“So…how much will you take for it?” Ryan asked, pointing at the prized figurine.”$750,000,” Mr. Frederick, the collector, replied, his tone dismissive.
“That’s far above the market value for the artist’s work, sir.”
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“Then don’t buy it. The price is non-negotiable, young man!”Ryan wasn’t deterred. He told Mr. Frederick he needed time to arrange the money and immediately called Mr. Stevens. Without hesitation, he requested to sell $750,000 worth of his shares in the company.
“But then you won’t have a controlling stake in the company, Ryan!” Mr. Stevens responded, clearly concerned.
“I’m aware, Mr. Stevens, but this is urgent,” Ryan explained, his tone urgent. “I need the cash immediately, but if I’m right, I should be able to buy back those shares within the week.””Ryan,” Mr. Stevens finally replied after a long pause. “as a major stakeholder and legal advisor for the company, I get the feeling it would behoove me not to ask questions about why you need such a large amount of money at such short notice.”
“As a longtime family friend, however,” Mr. Stevens added, “I must know if this is related to the suspicion I shared with you about Miss Pearson.”
“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Ryan answered firmly, leaving no room for doubt.Mr. Stevens sighed heavily before agreeing. “She’s also disappeared, you know…didn’t turn up for work today, and her phone number no longer exists. I’ll get you the money…best you not ask me the details…and wire it to you ASAP.”
With the funds transferred to his account, Ryan returned to Mr. Frederick to finalize the purchase of the figurine. The collector grumbled about its value but ultimately handed it over. Ryan left with the figurine and a renewed determination to uncover the truth.
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“You asked for $750 000, sir, and that’s what I’m giving you, effective immediately. Are you not a man of your word, Mr. Frederick?”Mr. Frederick begrudgingly agreed to sell the figurine after some convincing. With the transaction complete, Ryan wasted no time. He made a few calls from his car, organizing the next steps in his plan. Before heading back to his mother’s house, he stopped by a store to pick up some supplies he might need later.
“Where on earth have you been, Ryan?” his mother asked as he entered the house. “I return from the hospital to find the house empty, and poor Bella bored out of her mind. Your dog misses you; I really can’t keep her busy enough, and I’ve barely seen you since the funeral…”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Ryan murmured softly. “Please just trust that what I’ve been doing is very important. It will also be over very soon.”He positioned himself behind a pillar at the auction house, scanning the crowd with a sharp eye. The figurine he had just purchased was next in line for bidding. Ryan held his breath as it was carried to the podium, its allure unmistakable even from a distance.
As the auction began, the number of bidders quickly narrowed to two individuals. One was a stout man with a distinctive nose, and the other was a tall gentleman with striking white hair, dressed impeccably in a navy suit. Despite their presence, Ryan’s father was nowhere to be seen.
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“$1 million!”The sound of his father’s voice sent a shiver down Ryan’s spine. He turned to see Arnold standing at the back of the room, his wide-brimmed hat shading his face. Slowly, Arnold removed the hat, revealing his identity to the stunned crowd.
“$1 million going once…going twice…sold to the man in the beige coat!” The auctioneer’s gavel came down with a decisive thud, ending the sale.
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Arnold wasted no time. He replaced the hat on his head and headed for the exit. But Ryan was quicker. He circled around the room, intercepting his father just before he could leave. Before Arnold could react, Detective Bradshaw stepped in, her handcuffs ready.”Ryan?” Arnold spat, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “You tricked me! This was a trap!”
“Don’t act like I’ve committed some terrible betrayal, Dad! You’re the one who had an affair and faked your own death so you could run off with your mistress! How could you?”
Arnold’s shoulders sagged under the weight of his confession. He admitted that he had grown weary of his old life and had planned to start fresh with Miss Pearson by his side.”So you took out a huge amount in life insurance for your new life, bribed the coroner to falsify your death certificate and cause of death, and had all of us gather around an empty casket to mourn you!” Ryan said through clenched teeth, his voice thick with anger and betrayal.
“‘A man should do what is right, not follow his own selfish interests.’ You taught me that, Dad. I’m sorry you couldn’t follow your own principles, but I hope you realize that your failure to do so led to your downfall.”
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