Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Nora stared at the phone.
Her hands were shaking.
She replayed the call in her mind.
Don't trust your mother.
Evelyn stepped toward her.
Who called?
Nora didn't answer immediately.
Then she said it.
Clara.
Evelyn's face collapsed.
No.
She shook her head.
No.
Charles looked at her.
Evelyn, listen to me.
She pushed him away.
You knew.
I suspected.
You knew she was alive.
I didn't know where she was.
Just like me?
Charles looked down.
Evelyn turned toward Nora.
I swear to you, I never knew.
Nora wanted to believe her.
But after everything that had happened, belief felt dangerous.
David stepped between them.
We need to leave.
Nora asked why.
Because someone has been moving pieces around us.
He pointed toward the window.
The house is surrounded.
Veterans moved into position.
Nora looked outside.
Several dark vehicles were parked along the road.
But nobody emerged.
Then a loudspeaker crackled.
Nora.
Silas's voice.
You have something that belongs to me.
Nora looked at the pendant.
Silas continued.
Bring it outside.
No one gets hurt.
David shook his head.
Don't.
Nora stepped toward the window.
Silas.
What do you want?
The truth.
Then tell me who killed my grandfather.
Silence.
Finally, Silas answered.
Ask your mother.
Nora turned toward Evelyn.
Evelyn's face was devastated.
I don't know.
Silas laughed.
She always says that.
Nora looked back outside.
Silas continued.
Your mother knows more than she admits.
Evelyn shouted.
You killed my father.
Silas answered calmly.
No.
Your sister did.
Evelyn froze.
Nora looked at her mother.
Clara?
Silas continued.
Ask Evelyn what happened after the gunshot.
The loudspeaker went silent.
David immediately ordered everyone toward the rear exit.
They moved quickly.
Nora stayed beside Evelyn.
Tell me.
Evelyn shook her head.
I can't.
Why?
Because you won't forgive me.
Nora stopped.
What did you do?
Evelyn looked at her daughter.
I left you.
Nora's eyes filled.
You already told me why.
No.
Evelyn whispered.
I left you because I believed you were safer with Charles.
But I knew something.
What?
I knew your grandfather was still alive after the first gunshot.
Nora froze.
What?
Evelyn continued.
I heard him speak.
He said one sentence.
Nora waited.
Evelyn whispered:
The ledger isn't where I told you.
Nora's eyes widened.
Where is it?
Evelyn shook her head.
I never found out.
Then why did you say Clara killed him?
I never said she did.
Silence.
Nora understood.
Silas had lied.
But why?
Before she could ask, David's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
Then he looked at Nora.
May you like
Someone just broke into the Montgomery bank vault.
And they used your identity.
