Chapter 12 - What Margaret Remembered
Margaret sat at the kitchen table.
Her hands trembled.
Caroline sat opposite her.
"Mom."
Margaret looked up.
"I remember him."
"Who?"
"Your father's partner."
Caroline went still.
"You said you never met him."
"I lied."
"Why?"
Margaret looked toward the window.
"Because your father told me never to speak his name."
Caroline leaned forward.
"What name?"
Margaret closed her eyes.
"Edward Vale."
Caroline's expression changed.
The security officer immediately looked toward her.
"You know him?"
Caroline nodded.
"Everyone in my division knows the name."
Travis looked between them.
"Who is he?"
Caroline answered quietly.
"Someone who disappeared after an investigation."
Margaret shook her head.
"He didn't disappear."
Caroline stared.
"What do you mean?"
"He came to the house after your father died."
Caroline stood.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he threatened us."
The room went silent.
Margaret continued.
"He said if I ever told anyone, Laura would disappear."
Laura froze.
Caroline looked at her sister.
"Did you know?"
Laura shook her head.
"No."
Margaret began crying.
"I thought I was protecting you."
Caroline walked around the table.
She placed a hand on her mother's shoulder.
"You were."
Then she heard footsteps outside.
The security officer raised his hand.
Everyone became silent.
A man's voice came from the hallway.
"Caroline."
She froze.
Nobody had opened the door.
May you like
But the voice was unmistakable.
Edward Vale.
