Chapter 7 - The Brother Who Never Died
Marcus spent the next hour searching through old records.
His hands shook as he opened the file.
Victor Whitmore.
Born.
Raised.
Loved.
Then:
Declared deceased five years ago.
Marcus stared at the document.
“Someone changed this.”
Detective Sarah nodded.
“We’re checking.”
Marcus looked at the photograph.
His brother.
The person who taught him how to ride a bike.
The person who promised they would protect the family.
The person he buried.
Or thought he buried.
“How could my father not know?”
Sarah looked uncomfortable.
“Marcus…”
“What?”
“There’s something else.”
She handed him another file.
A bank record.
A hidden account.
Opened three days after Victor’s supposed death.
The owner?
Victor Whitmore.
Marcus felt betrayed all over again.
“He never died.”
“No.”
Sarah looked at him.
“He disappeared.”
Marcus walked toward the window.
The mansion outside suddenly felt different.
Every hallway.
Every room.
Every memory.
Maybe it was all built on lies.
Then Elena walked into the room.
Everyone turned.
She looked calm.
Too calm.
“Are you done searching through my life?”
Marcus stared at her.
“Your life?”
He laughed softly.
“You mean the life you created?”
Her face changed.
“You saw the footage.”
“Yes.”
A long silence.
Then Elena sat down.
“I knew this day would come.”
Marcus stared.
“You knew?”
She nodded.
“Victor told me you would find out eventually.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“Where is he?”
Elena looked away.
“I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
For the first time, Elena looked angry.
“You think I wanted this?”
Marcus stepped closer.
“You planned it.”
She whispered:
“You have no idea what Victor is capable of.”
The room went silent.
Marcus studied her.
“Are you warning me?”
Elena looked at him.
“No.”
Her voice dropped.
“I’m warning you because I’m afraid.”
Before Marcus could respond…
The mansion alarm suddenly exploded.
Everyone jumped.
Sarah grabbed her radio.
“What happened?”
A security officer answered.
“Someone broke into the east wing.”
Marcus’s face changed.
The east wing.
The place where Victor’s old office had been.
Then another message came through.
“Detective…”
The officer’s voice trembled.
“We found someone inside.”
Sarah grabbed the radio.
“Who?”
A pause.
May you like
Then:
“Victor Whitmore.”
