Chapter 24 - The Woman Who Borrowed a Face
Margaret couldn't speak.
Claire explained.
“The network used false identities for decades.”
Arthur looked sick.
“So the funeral…”
“Was staged.”
Margaret remembered the closed coffin.
The sudden burial.
The missing autopsy report.
The priest who had refused questions.
Everything suddenly made sense.
Claire opened a medical file.
“Thomas wasn't killed at home.”
Arthur stared.
“Then where?”
“An abandoned clinic.”
Margaret stepped closer.
“Why?”
“Because they wanted his death to look natural.”
Arthur's fists tightened.
“Who ordered it?”
Claire looked at him.
“Your wife.”
Arthur froze.
Margaret's heart stopped.
“Linda?”
Claire nodded.
“Linda ordered Thomas's removal.”
Arthur shook his head.
“No.”
Claire handed him a document.
A payment authorization.
Linda Caldwell.
$250,000.
Recipient:
Victor Hale.
Purpose:
Permanent silence.
Arthur stared at the signature.
His hands trembled.
Margaret looked at him.
“I'm sorry.”
Arthur's eyes filled with tears.
“I defended her.”
May you like
Claire said quietly:
“You weren't the only one.”
