Chapter 17 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CRASH
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Nora drove to the Whitmore estate the following morning with Holly and Marcus.
Eleanor was waiting in the library.
She looked exhausted.
But when Nora entered, she stood.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.”
Nora sat opposite her.
“Tell me everything.”
Eleanor took a breath.
“Your father discovered that Gideon was moving money through a network of shipping companies. He intended to report it. Before he could, he was killed in a car crash.”
“Who arranged it?”
“Camden's father, Richard Rourke, helped organize it. Gideon provided the money.”
Nora stared.
“Why would Camden's family be involved?”
“Richard was a silent partner in one of the companies. He feared your father would expose him.”
Marcus opened his notebook.
“Do you have proof?”
Eleanor nodded.
She handed him a letter.
It was written by a former driver who had worked for Richard Rourke. The letter described a payment made before the crash and a meeting with Gideon.
The driver had died years earlier, but his daughter had recently contacted the Whitmore family office.
She had found the letter among his belongings.
Holly studied it.
“This could be important.”
Nora looked at her mother.
“Did Camden know?”
Eleanor's eyes filled.
“He learned about it after he joined Gideon's operation.”
“And he never told me.”
“No.”
Nora stood and walked to the window.
For years, she had thought her father had simply died.
She had thought her mother had abandoned her.
She had thought Camden had loved her.
Every part of her childhood had been shaped by decisions made by people who believed she would never discover the truth.
“Why did you stay silent?”
Eleanor lowered her head.
“I was afraid. I had already lost your father. Then they took you. I thought if I spoke, they would hurt you.”
Nora turned.
“You were trying to protect me.”
“Yes.”
“But I spent my entire life believing I had been unwanted.”
Eleanor began to cry.
“I know.”
Nora sat beside her.
“I don't know how to forgive all of this.”
“You don't have to do it today.”
Marcus received a call.
He listened carefully, then turned toward them.
“The district attorney has identified the driver who transported Eleanor from the first facility. He is willing to testify.”
“Against Gideon?” Holly asked.
“Against Gideon and Camden.”
Nora looked up.
“What does he know?”
Marcus hesitated.
“He says Camden personally arranged the transfer to the second facility. He also says Camden knew Eleanor was Nora's mother before the wedding.”
Nora closed her eyes.
There it was.
The final confirmation.
Camden had not simply hidden the truth.
He had helped keep it hidden.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Bianca appeared.
I have the original recording from the night your mother was taken. Camden doesn't know I kept it.
Nora stared at the screen.
Holly leaned closer.
“Ask her where she is.”
Nora typed.
Where can we meet?
Bianca replied immediately.
Not in Boston. Camden knows where I live. I need protection.
May you like
Then she sent another message.
The recording proves Camden gave the order.
