Chapter 12 - The Name in the Vault
The bank was nearly empty when they arrived.
Police vehicles surrounded the building.
David spoke with the officers while Nora, Julian, and Evelyn waited inside a secured conference room.
A detective entered.
Nora Montgomery?
Yes.
We found something.
He placed a photograph on the table.
A security camera image.
A woman standing inside the vault.
Her face was hidden beneath a hood.
But the identification system had registered one name.
Nora Montgomery.
Nora stared at the photograph.
That isn't me.
The detective nodded.
We know.
Then why did the system identify me?
Because whoever entered used your biometric authorization.
Nora felt sick.
How?
The detective looked at the others.
We don't know.
Julian spoke.
What did she take?
The detective hesitated.
A box.
What box?
The Montgomery inheritance box.
Nora's heart stopped.
What was inside?
The detective looked at her.
We don't know.
But your grandfather's name was attached to the security record.
Nora looked at Evelyn.
Her mother looked terrified.
David entered.
We found another clue.
He placed a small silver bracelet on the table.
Nora stared.
That's Clara's.
David nodded.
It was left inside the vault.
Julian frowned.
Why would Clara leave it?
David looked at him.
Maybe she wanted us to know she was there.
Nora's phone buzzed.
A message.
No number.
You are looking in the wrong place.
Another message appeared.
Your grandfather never died that night.
Nora stared.
She showed David.
He read it twice.
Impossible.
Then another message.
Ask Charles what happened three days later.
Nora immediately called her father.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Then Charles finally answered.
His breathing sounded heavy.
Nora.
Where are you?
I need to see you.
Dad, what happened three days after Grandpa died?
Silence.
Nora repeated the question.
Dad?
Charles whispered.
Who told you?
Nobody.
Then don't ask.
Why?
Because some truths don't stay buried after you dig them up.
Nora's voice hardened.
I am done being lied to.
Charles took a shaky breath.
Three days after your grandfather supposedly died, I saw him.
Nora's eyes widened.
Alive?
Yes.
Where?
Charles whispered the location.
Nora knew it.
The old family cemetery.
Why would Grandpa be there?
Charles's voice dropped.
He wasn't alone.
Who was with him?
Charles didn't answer.
Nora heard another voice in the background.
A woman's voice.
Clara.
Then the call disconnected.
Nora looked at David.
May you like
She was still alive.
And she was with my grandfather.
