Chapter 22 - Edward's Bargain
Edward called that night.
“Come alone.”
Caroline almost hung up.
Instead, she asked, “Where?”
“The old courthouse.”
Travis immediately objected.
“No.”
Caroline looked at him.
“He knows something.”
“He wants something.”
“I need answers.”
Travis sighed.
“Then you're not going alone.”
They entered the abandoned courthouse through the rear entrance.
Edward waited beneath the old courtroom clock.
“You found the archive.”
Caroline stepped forward.
“You killed Eleanor.”
Edward shook his head.
“No.”
“You helped fake her death.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Senator Hale threatened your father.”
Caroline stared at him.
“What did he threaten?”
“Your life.”
Silence.
Edward continued.
“Your father believed the only way to keep you safe was to make everyone believe Eleanor was dead and send her away.”
“Where?”
Edward looked toward the courtroom doors.
“Ask her yourself.”
The doors opened.
A woman stood there.
Older.
Gray-haired.
But unmistakable.
Eleanor.
May you like
Caroline couldn't move.
Her mother had been alive all along.
