Chapter 10 - The Man Behind the Curtain
The door opened.
Richard's father stepped inside.
He looked older than the photograph.
But he was alive.
Claire stared at him.
“You're supposed to be dead.”
He smiled.
“People believe what they are told.”
Richard stood behind Claire.
His father looked at him.
“You disappointed me.”
Richard said nothing.
Evelyn lowered the gun.
“You promised.”
The older man ignored her.
His eyes settled on Mateo.
“So.”
Mateo stepped behind Claire.
“You finally speak.”
Mateo said nothing.
The man smiled.
“You remember me.”
Mateo nodded.
Richard looked at his father.
“Leave him alone.”
His father laughed.
“You finally developed a conscience?”
Richard stepped forward.
“You said you wouldn't touch them.”
“I said many things.”
Claire looked at Richard.
“You knew about my father.”
“Yes.”
“You married me because of him.”
Richard's eyes closed.
“Yes.”
Claire felt something break inside her.
But before she could respond, Mateo spoke.
“You're lying.”
Everyone turned.
Mateo looked directly at Richard's father.
“You weren't there because of Mom.”
The older man's smile faded.
Mateo continued.
“You were there because of Dad.”
Richard stared at his son.
“What do you mean?”
Mateo's hands shook.
“I remember the room.”
“What room?”
“The room under the house.”
Claire looked at Richard.
Richard went pale.
Mateo continued.
“Dad took me there.”
Richard shook his head.
“No.”
“You showed me the pictures.”
“What pictures?”
“Mom.”
Claire felt cold.
Richard's father stared at Mateo.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Where is the card?”
Claire clenched her fist.
“You know about it.”
The man smiled.
“Of course.”
Then the lights went out.
A loud sound came from upstairs.
Glass shattered.
Evelyn screamed.
Richard grabbed Claire.
“Down!”
A second sound echoed.
Then silence.
When the emergency lights came on, Richard's father was gone.
So was Mateo.
Claire screamed.
“Mateo!”
Richard froze.
Evelyn looked toward the hallway.
Maria came running.
“Where is he?”
Nobody answered.
Then Claire saw something on the floor.
Mateo's green shirt.
A single button had been torn off.
And beneath it was a handwritten note.
May you like
Bring the original recording.
Or you will never see him again.
