Chapter 5 - THE ARCHIVE BENEATH THE WEST WING|
Julian waited until midnight before entering his father's archive.
The room was hidden behind a bookcase in the west wing, accessible through a narrow passage that had been built when the estate was renovated decades earlier. Few people knew it existed. His father had used it for documents he never wanted included in the ordinary family records.
Julian had not entered the room since the funeral.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old leather. Metal filing cabinets lined the walls, and a long table stood beneath a shaded lamp. Several boxes were marked with dates, company names, and initials.
He found the box labeled CALLAWAY—PRIVATE.
It contained dozens of folders.
Some documented property disputes between the Ashcom and Callaway families. Others involved charitable trusts, medical expenses, and the closure of the private clinic where the scar diagram had originated.
At the bottom of the box lay a handwritten letter from his father, Richard Ashcom.
Julian, if you are reading this, the girl has returned. I need you to understand that the story you were told about the fire was incomplete. I believed I was protecting the family, but I may have protected the wrong people.
Julian read the words twice.
The letter continued.
Richard explained that twenty-six years earlier, a fire had broken out at a private medical center shortly after the birth of a child connected to Eleanor Callaway's family. The official report listed the infant as dead, but a doctor later discovered that the child had been moved to another ward before the fire reached the delivery room.
Someone had altered the transfer records.
Someone had also paid a nurse to sign a false death certificate.
Richard had tried to trace the payments but was warned to stop.
The scar on the child's back was the only physical clue the doctor believed could survive the years. If she is alive, she may be the only person capable of proving what happened.
Julian turned the page.
There was a list of names.
Dr. Samuel Voss.
Thomas Dwart.
Eleanor Callaway.
And one name circled in red ink.
Catherine Ashcom.
His mother.
Julian lowered the letter.
The study door opened behind him.
Catherine stood in the passage, wearing a dark robe.
"You shouldn't be in here."
Julian held up the page.
"Why is your name on this list?"
She looked at the letter and closed the door.
"Your father asked me to keep a promise."
"What promise?"
"That I would never let the Callaway family reopen the investigation."
"Why?"
"Because the truth would destroy both families."
"Then perhaps both families deserve to be destroyed."
Catherine flinched.
"Your father believed the child had died. When he discovered she might have survived, he tried to correct the records. But someone threatened to expose a separate secret involving his business, and he withdrew."
"What secret?"
Catherine shook her head.
"I don't know the full details."
Julian stared at her.
"You knew about the scar."
"I knew there was a record. I didn't know where the child was."
"Did you know Nomi was coming to the estate tonight?"
"No."
"Did Vivian?"
Catherine hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Julian stepped closer.
"What has my fiancée been hiding?"
"She has been frightened of losing you for a long time."
"That's not an answer."
Catherine finally looked at him.
"Three months ago, Vivian found a report about the missing child. She showed it to her mother. Eleanor said that if the child was alive, the Callaway trust would have to be reviewed."
"And Vivian?"
"She said the girl would never be allowed to take her place."
Julian felt something cold settle in his chest.
He closed the folder.
"If the records prove Nomi is the missing child, the trust belongs to her."
"Julian, listen to me. You don't know what the trust contains."
"Then tell me."
Catherine's face tightened.
"Your father discovered that the clinic fire was not an accident. He found evidence that someone had deliberately destroyed the records to conceal a newborn's identity."
"Who?"
Catherine looked toward the door.
"I never knew for certain."
Julian placed the letter inside his coat.
"Then we'll find out."
Before he could leave, a noise came from the corridor.
A guard entered, breathless.
"Mr. Ashcom, Ms. Dwart has disappeared."
Julian turned sharply.
"From where?"
"The guest room. The window is open. We found the uniform she wore tonight on the floor."
Catherine covered her mouth.
Julian ran toward the stairs.
On the landing, he found a small piece of paper beneath the window.
May you like
It carried a short message written in block letters.
Bring the original chart to the old clinic. Come alone, or the girl learns what happened to her mother.
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