Chapter 19 - MARGARET'S CONFESSION
Margaret sat inside a federal interview room.
She looked older than Daniel remembered.
Without her jewelry and perfect clothing, she seemed strangely ordinary.
Daniel entered alone.
Margaret looked at him.
“You found Melissa.”
“No.”
“But she's alive.”
Daniel said nothing.
Margaret smiled.
“I always knew she would survive.”
“You helped her disappear.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Margaret looked down.
“Because I finally understood what my husband had become.”
Daniel sat across from her.
“Henry?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Margaret's eyes lifted.
“Jonathan.”
Daniel froze.
“He didn't rebuild Bellhaven alone,” she continued.
“He needed someone with access to your family.”
“Who?”
Margaret didn't answer.
Daniel leaned forward.
“Tell me.”
She whispered:
“Your father's lawyer.”
Daniel frowned.
“Peter?”
Margaret nodded.
“No.”
“Then who?”
“His brother.”
Daniel stared.
“My father had no brother.”
Margaret smiled sadly.
“That's what Henry wanted everyone to believe.”
Daniel felt the room change.
“Who was his brother?”
Margaret's voice dropped.
“Edward Carter.”
Daniel had never heard the name.
Margaret continued.
“Edward died when he was twenty-three.”
“Then how could he—”
“He didn't.”
She slid a photograph across the table.
Daniel looked at it.
The young man beside Henry was unmistakable.
Same eyes.
Same jaw.
But beneath the photograph was another name.
EDWARD VALE.
Daniel's heart stopped.
May you like
Margaret whispered:
“Jonathan Vale is Edward Carter.”
