Chapter 23 - The Funeral Lie
Ryan was not inside the mansion.
His car was.
The house was empty.
Margaret searched every room.
Nothing.
Then they found the envelope.
It had been placed on her bed.
Inside was a funeral photograph.
Thomas.
Margaret stared at it.
On the back was a handwritten message.
ASK CLAIRE ABOUT THE FUNERAL.
Margaret turned.
“What does that mean?”
Claire didn't answer.
Arthur looked at her.
“You attended his funeral.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
Margaret's eyes narrowed.
“I saw you there.”
Claire looked at her.
“You saw a woman who looked like me.”
Margaret's blood ran cold.
Claire pulled another photograph from the folder.
The woman in it had Claire's face.
But she was older.
And standing beside Victor Hale.
Margaret whispered:
“Who is she?”
Claire answered:
“My mother.”
Arthur stared.
“I thought your mother died.”
“She did.”
“When?”
“According to the records?”
Claire paused.
“1998.”
Margaret looked at the photograph.
“Then how was she at Thomas's funeral?”
Claire's answer was barely audible.
“Because the woman you buried wasn't Thomas's killer.”
May you like
She turned the photograph around.
“The woman you buried wasn't even my mother.”
