Chapter 4 - THE FIRST LIE
Rebecca read the letter alone.
Thomas described the Hart property as something much more complicated than a family home.
He wrote about old financial agreements.
Hidden ownership.
A second deed.
And someone who had been using the house for purposes Rebecca did not understand.
But every time the letter approached the central secret, the writing stopped.
The final paragraph contained only one sentence.
Trust Grandma's key.
Rebecca looked at the brass key Evelyn had shown her in the hospital.
She had seen it before.
As a child.
Grandma always wore it around her neck.
Rebecca suddenly remembered something.
The attic.
She climbed the stairs.
At the back of the attic was an old cedar chest.
She opened it.
Inside were photographs, letters and family records.
At the bottom was a small wooden box.
The brass key fit.
Inside was a cassette recorder.
Rebecca stared at it.
Her grandmother had died before smartphones had become common in the family.
The recorder had a handwritten label.
For Rebecca.
Rebecca pressed play.
Grandma's voice filled the attic.
“If you are hearing this, then the family has already begun fighting over the house.”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Grandma continued.
“They will tell you that you abandoned us.”
A pause.
“They will tell you that you have no claim.”
Another pause.
“Do not believe them.”
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears.
The recording continued.
“The house was placed in your name long before you understood what ownership meant.”
Rebecca stopped the recording.
She couldn't breathe.
Her entire life had been built around the belief that she had lost her place in the family.
Now she was discovering that perhaps she had never lost it.
She pressed play again.
Grandma's voice became quieter.
“But the house is not the most important thing.”
Rebecca leaned closer.
“The house contains evidence.”
The recording ended.
Rebecca stared at the recorder.
Then she heard footsteps.
She turned.
Claire stood in the attic doorway.
“How long have you had that?”
Rebecca slowly stood.
“Long enough.”
Claire looked at the recorder.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“I was trying to protect you.”
Rebecca almost laughed.
“You were trying to take my house.”
Claire looked away.
“I had no choice.”
Rebecca stepped closer.
“Who told you to do it?”
Claire didn't answer.
Then her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her face went white.
Rebecca saw only one word.
UNKNOWN.
Claire answered.
“Hello?”
A distorted voice spoke.
Claire's expression collapsed.
She hung up.
Rebecca stared at her.
“Who was that?”
May you like
Claire whispered.
“We're already too late.”
