Chapter 9 - THE SECRET BEHIND THE FAMILY PORTRAITThe emergency lights came on.
Dominic's security team moved through the east wing, searching the corridors.
Victor Hail was nowhere to be found.
But the guards discovered an open service entrance and a broken window near the library.
Someone had entered the mansion from the garden.
Dominic ordered the guests moved to a secure room.
Maya remained beside Daniel.
"Why would Victor come here?"
"Because he knows we're getting close."
Dominic approached.
"He also knows something about my family that I haven't discovered yet."
Maya looked at him.
"Your uncle?"
Dominic nodded.
"Anthony raised me after my father died. He controlled almost every important decision in this family."
"Did you trust him?"
"For most of my life."
The answer carried more pain than anger.
Isabella entered carrying the wooden box.
"There's something you both need to see."
She placed it on the table and removed several photographs.
The first showed Richard Reed with Dominic's father.
The second showed Margaret standing beside Isabella.
The third showed three men outside the old shipping headquarters.
Richard.
Anthony.
And Raymond Cross.
Dominic studied the photograph.
"Where did you find this?"
"Your father kept it in his private study."
Isabella pointed to the background.
A fourth person stood near the entrance.
It was a young woman holding a baby.
Maya leaned closer.
"Who is she?"
Isabella looked at her.
"Your mother."
Maya felt the air leave her lungs.
She had never seen her mother's face clearly before. Margaret had only shown her one faded photograph.
Now she was standing in front of a picture showing both her parents alive.
"Why was she with them?"
"She worked at the shipping company. She was an accountant."
Dominic examined the photograph.
"Then she knew about the missing money."
Isabella nodded.
"Your mother discovered that Anthony was using false companies to steal from Richard and Dominic's father."
Maya's eyes filled.
"What happened to her?"
"She died in the fire," Isabella said quietly.
Maya looked away.
The truth was painful, but it also explained why Margaret had spent years hiding her.
Daniel noticed a handwritten note tucked beneath the photograph.
He unfolded it.
If the girl returns, tell her the portrait remembers everything.
Dominic frowned.
"What portrait?"
Isabella looked toward the main staircase.
"Your grandfather's portrait."
They entered the old gallery.
A large painting hung above the fireplace. It depicted Dominic's grandfather standing in front of the original family mansion.
Daniel examined the frame.
There was a small scratch along the lower edge.
Maya noticed that the painted hand of the grandfather was pointing toward a particular section of the building.
She looked down.
"The old family seal."
Dominic moved the painting aside.
Behind it was a narrow compartment.
Inside lay a metal tube containing several documents.
One was an original partnership agreement.
Another was a letter from Richard Reed.
The final document was a list of payments to Victor Hail.
Dominic read the last entry.
VICTOR HAIL — FINAL PAYMENT — $500,000.
He looked up.
"Anthony paid him half a million dollars."
Daniel examined the date.
It was dated three days before the robbery.
Maya stared at the document.
"Then Victor was planning this long before he came to the diner."
Dominic folded the paper.
"Yes."
His phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Dominic, I believe it's time we discussed your uncle."
"Who is this?"
A brief laugh followed.
"Someone who knows what happened to Richard Reed."
May you like
The caller paused.
"And someone who knows who really started the fire."
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