Chapter 25 - REBECCA COMES HOME
The police arrived within minutes.
The investigator examined the writing.
"It isn't wine."
Rowan's stomach tightened.
"What is it?"
The investigator hesitated.
"Red theatrical dye."
Relief mixed with fear.
Someone wanted them terrified.
But the message was real.
SHE IS COMING HOME.
At 3:12 a.m., Rowan heard a car stop outside.
She walked toward the window.
A black sedan was parked across the street.
The rear door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Long brown hair.
Dark coat.
She stood beneath the streetlight.
Rowan stopped breathing.
The woman looked directly toward the house.
Then she raised her hand.
In it was the silver bracelet.
ROWAN & REBECCA.
Rowan ran outside.
Wells followed.
The woman didn't move.
As Rowan approached, the woman whispered:
"Don't come any closer."
Rowan stopped.
"Rebecca?"
The woman began crying.
"You remember me?"
Rowan couldn't speak.
"I remember everything."
Rebecca looked toward the house.
"He's coming."
"Who?"
"Victor."
"Where is he?"
"Already here."
Rowan's blood turned cold.
"What?"
Rebecca looked behind her.
"He's been following me for months."
Wells stepped forward.
"We can protect you."
Rebecca looked at him suspiciously.
"Can you?"
Rowan looked between them.
Rebecca's eyes filled with fear.
"Victor doesn't want the money anymore."
"Then what does he want?"
Rebecca whispered:
"He wants me to disappear again."
A car engine suddenly roared nearby.
Headlights flooded the street.
Rebecca grabbed Rowan's hand.
"Run."
A black SUV accelerated toward them.
Wells pushed both women aside.
The SUV swerved past and disappeared down the street.
Everyone froze.
Then Rowan noticed something on the ground.
A folded piece of paper.
She picked it up.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed their mother.
Standing beside Victor.
Holding newborn Rebecca.
And behind them stood Rowan's father.
But the date printed beneath the photograph was impossible.
Twenty-six years ago.
Rebecca stared at it.
Then whispered:
"That's not the worst part."
Rowan looked at her.
"What could possibly be worse?"
Rebecca pointed to the man standing behind their parents.
A man Rowan had never seen before.
"That's the person who ordered them to separate us."
"Who is he?"
Rebecca's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Your grandfather."
Rowan stared at the photograph.
Her entire body went cold.
Her grandfather had supposedly died before she was born.
But the man in the photograph was unmistakably alive.
And smiling.
Rebecca squeezed Rowan's hand.
"He never died."
Then, from somewhere across the street, a camera flashed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Someone was watching them.
And this time...
May you like
They didn't run.
TO BE CONTINUED...
