Chapter 4 - The Photograph
Nora could not move.
Daniel Bell walked slowly into the chapel.
Nobody spoke.
David turned toward him.
Dad.
Daniel nodded.
I am sorry, son.
Charles stared at him.
You are dead.
Daniel's expression was almost sad.
That was the story you paid everyone to believe.
Nora looked between them.
You know each other.
Charles did not answer.
Daniel approached.
Nora.
She stepped backward.
How do you know my name?
Daniel smiled sadly.
Because I knew your mother before you were born.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Nora looked at her.
Mom?
Evelyn began crying.
Charles whispered, Stop.
Daniel shook his head.
You have controlled them long enough.
Nora's voice trembled.
What happened?
Daniel looked at Julian.
He knows part of it.
Nora turned.
Julian.
He lowered his head.
I found the records last year.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because I didn't know who to trust.
Nora looked at David.
Then at Daniel.
Then her father.
What happened to you?
Daniel's eyes remained on Charles.
Twenty years ago, I discovered money was being moved through accounts that did not exist.
Charles told me I was mistaken.
I wasn't.
Nora listened.
Daniel continued.
I confronted him.
The next morning, I was accused of stealing from the company.
But you disappeared.
I was forced to disappear.
Nora's eyes widened.
Why?
Daniel did not answer.
David did.
Because the people who wanted him silent were more powerful than the police.
Charles laughed bitterly.
You expect her to believe this?
Daniel looked at him.
She will.
Because you made one mistake.
What?
You assumed she would never look closely.
David opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
He handed it to Nora.
She looked down.
It showed her father.
Daniel.
And a third man.
A man Nora had never seen.
Behind them stood a young woman.
Nora stared at the woman.
She looked strangely familiar.
Who is she?
Nobody answered.
Nora turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten sentence on the back.
She was never supposed to know.
Nora looked up.
Who wrote this?
Daniel's face became pale.
I did.
Nora whispered.
Why?
May you like
Daniel looked toward the chapel doors.
Because she is the reason your father wanted me dead.
