Chapter 14 - THE DOOR GRANDMA NEVER OPENED
Rebecca returned to the cemetery alone.
She stood before Grandma's grave.
For the first time, she understood why Grandma had chosen silence.
The truth was bigger than the house.
Bigger than the family.
Bigger than the arguments that had defined Rebecca's childhood.
She opened the second deed.
A small handwritten note had been tucked behind it.
She hadn't noticed it before.
Rebecca unfolded it.
If you have reached this point, you are close.
But do not trust the person who brings you the final key.
Rebecca's heart began pounding.
Someone had already brought her a key.
Her mother.
Her father.
Eleanor.
Even Evelyn had keys.
Rebecca turned.
Evelyn stood several feet away.
“You came.”
Rebecca stared at her.
“You knew about the note.”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I knew you would come.”
Rebecca held up the paper.
“Grandma said not to trust the person who brings the final key.”
Evelyn looked at it.
Her expression changed.
“I didn't know about that.”
Rebecca watched her carefully.
“Where is the final key?”
Evelyn pointed toward the mausoleum.
“There.”
Rebecca entered.
Behind Grandma's memorial plaque was a small slot.
The brass key fit.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a final envelope.
Rebecca opened it.
There was only one sentence.
The evidence is not in the house.
Rebecca stared.
Then another note fell out.
It is with the person you thought was gone.
Thomas.
Rebecca's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
Nobody spoke.
Then a man's voice whispered:
“Rebecca.”
She stopped breathing.
“Thomas?”
Silence.
Then:
“Don't trust Evelyn.”
The call ended.
Rebecca slowly turned.
Evelyn stood outside the mausoleum.
Her face was unreadable.
Rebecca stepped out.
“You knew Thomas was alive.”
Evelyn did not deny it.
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“He just called me.”
Evelyn's eyes widened.
“Then you need to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because if Thomas called you, they know where you are.”
Rebecca looked around the cemetery.
Nothing moved.
Then a black car appeared at the end of the road.
Evelyn grabbed Rebecca's arm.
“Run.”
They moved behind the mausoleum.
The car stopped.
Two people stepped out.
Rebecca couldn't see their faces.
One of them held a folder.
The other held a photograph.
Rebecca looked at Evelyn.
“What do they want?”
Evelyn whispered:
“The same thing everyone has wanted for twenty years.”
“The evidence?”
“No.”
May you like
Evelyn looked at Rebecca.
“You.”
