Chapter 6 - The Room Beneath the Chapel
David led them through a narrow corridor behind the chapel.
Nora followed Julian.
Daniel came behind them.
The veterans remained outside.
The corridor ended at a locked wooden door.
David pulled a key from his pocket.
Nora stared.
What is this place?
David opened the door.
A staircase descended into darkness.
Julian looked at her.
Stay close.
They went down.
The room beneath the chapel was older than the building above.
Stone walls.
Dusty shelves.
Metal filing cabinets.
Nora stared.
What is this?
David answered.
Your father's private archive.
Nora looked at Julian.
How?
Julian said, I found the entrance months ago.
You knew about this?
I knew there was a room.
I didn't know everything inside it.
David opened a cabinet.
Files filled the shelves.
Names.
Dates.
Contracts.
Bank records.
Photographs.
Nora reached for one.
Her father's handwriting covered the folder.
She opened it.
Inside was a document bearing her aunt's name.
Eleanor Montgomery.
There was a red stamp across the page.
TRANSFERRED.
Nora's voice trembled.
Transferred where?
Daniel said, That is what we never found out.
She turned another page.
Then she saw a familiar signature.
Her mother's.
Nora froze.
Mom signed this.
Evelyn entered the room behind them.
Nora turned.
Why?
Evelyn began to cry.
Because your father forced me.
What did you sign?
A statement.
About Eleanor.
Nora stared.
You told everyone she died.
I was told she had been killed.
By whom?
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
He knows.
Daniel closed his eyes.
I thought she was dead too.
Nora looked around the room.
Everyone had believed something.
Everyone had been wrong.
Then she saw another file.
The name on it was Julian Vance.
She opened it.
Her stomach dropped.
There were photographs of Julian as a teenager.
Records of his childhood.
His father's name.
His mother's name.
And a final document.
Nora read the first line.
Julian Vance was never his legal name.
She slowly looked at him.
Julian.
He did not answer.
What does this mean?
He took a breath.
It means the man you thought I was is not the man your father thought he was.
Nora shook her head.
Then who are you?
Julian reached into his jacket.
He removed an old identification card.
He placed it on the table.
Nora looked at it.
The photograph was Julian.
But the name underneath was different.
She stared at him.
You lied to me.
Julian whispered.
I changed my name to protect you.
Nora stepped back.
Protect me from what?
Before he could answer, footsteps sounded above them.
David looked up.
Someone had entered the chapel.
Then another sound followed.
May you like
A gunshot.
The lights went out.
