Chapter 3 - THE MAN WHO DISAPPEARED
Rebecca searched every public record she could find.
Thomas Hart.
Her father's younger brother.
There were almost no records.
No obituary.
No marriage certificate.
No property record.
Nothing.
It was as if he had disappeared from history.
Rebecca called Evelyn.
“Who was Thomas?”
Evelyn took a long breath.
“Your grandmother's first son.”
“Why did nobody ever tell me?”
“Because your father didn't want you to know.”
“What happened to him?”
“I don't know.”
Rebecca frowned.
“You're Grandma's attorney.”
“I was.”
“That's not an answer.”
Evelyn sighed.
“Thomas discovered something about the Hart property.”
“What?”
“I was never told.”
Rebecca looked at the old photograph.
“He had something to do with the second deed.”
“Yes.”
“What second deed?”
Evelyn went silent.
Rebecca realized the silence was an answer.
That afternoon, she confronted Harold.
He was sitting at the dining table.
“You had a brother named Thomas.”
His hand stopped.
Margaret looked up.
Claire stood in the kitchen doorway.
Harold slowly raised his eyes.
“Who told you?”
“Claire.”
Claire's expression changed.
Harold looked toward her.
“You had no right.”
Claire shrugged.
“She was going to find out.”
Rebecca stepped forward.
“What happened to him?”
Harold stood.
“You don't need to know.”
“Why?”
“Because he left.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Rebecca stared at him.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Harold's voice rose.
“He made his choice.”
“What choice?”
“He betrayed this family.”
Rebecca looked at Margaret.
“Mom?”
Margaret began crying.
Harold turned toward her.
“Don't.”
Margaret whispered.
“Thomas was trying to protect us.”
Harold slammed his hand onto the table.
“Enough.”
Rebecca stepped between them.
“What was he protecting you from?”
Nobody answered.
Then the front door opened.
Evelyn entered.
She held a thick envelope.
Harold immediately moved toward her.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“I have every right to be here.”
She handed Rebecca the envelope.
“This belonged to Thomas.”
Rebecca opened it.
Inside was a letter.
Only one sentence was visible.
If Rebecca ever comes home, give her the truth before they take the house.
Rebecca looked up.
“Why would he mention me?”
Evelyn's expression was grave.
“Because he knew you would eventually come back.”
Harold stepped forward.
“Give me that.”
Rebecca pulled the letter away.
“No.”
Harold's face changed.
For the first time, Rebecca saw fear in her father's eyes.
May you like
Not anger.
Fear.
