Chapter 8 - The Man Who Never Left the Family|
Peter Shaw had been missing for eleven months.
At least, that was what the family believed.
The truth was that he had been living less than thirty miles away, using an apartment rented under another man's name.
When Vivien answered his call, she put it on speaker.
"Peter?"
His voice sounded older.
"You shouldn't have let the girl keep the key."
Marcus stepped closer.
"Peter, this is Marcus."
There was a pause.
"Hello, sir."
"Where are you?"
"I don't think that's important."
"It is if you want to explain why your vehicle was following my wife."
Another silence.
Then Peter laughed softly.
"Your wife knew too much."
Marcus felt Daniel's hand touch his shoulder.
"Don't threaten him," the attorney whispered. "Let him speak."
Marcus forced himself to remain calm.
"What happened that night?"
Peter exhaled.
"I was supposed to bring Evelyn to your mother."
"Why?"
"She had documents."
"What documents?"
"The Bellara accounts. Your father had been moving money through several companies. Evelyn found the original records."
Marcus looked at Norah.
The Bellara name had appeared in the foundation records she had studied during her earlier work.
She understood now that the accident might have been connected to something much larger than a family disagreement.
Peter continued.
"Your mother wanted the documents returned."
"And Evelyn refused?"
"Yes."
"Then what?"
"She tried to leave."
Marcus gripped the edge of the desk.
"Did you cause the accident?"
Peter didn't answer.
"Peter!"
"I didn't intend for her to die."
Norah closed her eyes.
The words sounded like an admission.
Marcus continued.
"What did you do?"
"Another car was supposed to block the road. The driver lost control. Evelyn's vehicle went off the road."
Lily began crying.
Norah immediately carried her from the room.
Behind them, Marcus's voice broke.
"You killed her."
Peter answered quietly.
"I made a terrible mistake."
Marcus ended the call.
Daniel immediately contacted the authorities and preserved the recording.
But the danger wasn't over.
An hour later, Raymond entered the house.
"Mr. Ellery, Peter has disappeared again."
"Where?"
"His apartment is empty."
Marcus looked at his mother.
"Did you warn him?"
Vivien shook her head.
"I swear I didn't."
Daniel interrupted.
"There's another problem. The storage facility."
"What about it?"
"Someone accessed unit 714 last night."
Marcus looked at the key in his hand.
"Who?"
"The electronic entry system shows a security code belonging to your mother's office."
Vivien looked horrified.
"That's impossible."
Norah thought about the photograph.
The hidden key.
Lily's reaction.
Then she noticed something.
The small yellow rabbit was still in her arms.
But its seam had opened wider.
A second piece of paper was visible inside.
Norah gently removed it.
It was a handwritten note.
The writing was Evelyn's.
If something happens to me, find the original ledger. Do not trust the person who claims to be protecting Lily.
Marcus read it twice.
His eyes moved toward his mother.
Vivien began crying.
"I loved Evelyn."
Norah looked at her.
"Then why was she afraid of you?"
Vivien couldn't answer.
Outside, a car door slammed.
Raymond rushed to the window.
A man stood near the entrance.
He wore a gray coat and held a large envelope.
"Mr. Ellery," Raymond said. "That's the family attorney."
Daniel frowned.
"Which one?"
Marcus looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because the attorney who handled Evelyn's estate died six months ago."
May you like
The man outside raised his head.
And smiled directly at the window.
