Chapter 5 - The Photograph Nobody Should Have
Nora could not stop staring at the photograph.
It had been taken less than an hour earlier.
She recognized the chapel behind her.
She recognized the bouquet in her hand.
She even recognized the exact expression on her face.
Someone had been watching from somewhere nearby.
David walked closer.
Don't touch anything.
Nora ignored him.
She pulled the photograph from the wall.
On the back was a date.
Today.
And beneath the date were three initials.
S.M.
Silas Montgomery.
Nora looked at Evelyn.
You knew this room existed.
Evelyn shook her head.
No.
Then how did you know about Silas?
Because I saw him once.
When?
The night your grandfather died.
Nora waited.
Evelyn continued.
I was standing outside the study.
I heard your grandfather arguing with someone.
Who?
Silas.
What did he say?
Evelyn closed her eyes.
He told your grandfather that the family would belong to him one day.
Nora swallowed.
And then?
Then I heard a gunshot.
The room became silent.
Julian looked at David.
You never told me that.
David's eyes remained on Evelyn.
Because I didn't know if she was telling the truth.
Nora turned.
You think my mother is lying?
David answered carefully.
I think everyone in this room has lied about something.
That hurt Nora.
But she knew he was right.
She opened another box.
Inside were handwritten letters.
Some were addressed to Evelyn.
Others were addressed to Charles.
One was addressed to Nora.
She recognized the handwriting immediately.
Her grandfather.
She opened it.
My dear Nora,
If you are reading this, then I failed to protect you in the way I intended.
Nora's breathing stopped.
The letter continued.
There are people who will tell you that our family was built on ambition.
They are wrong.
It was built on a secret.
A secret that should never have belonged to you.
Nora read faster.
The letter mentioned a ledger.
A ledger containing names.
Payments.
Politicians.
Companies.
Private accounts.
And one final entry.
A person whose identity had never been recorded.
Nora reached the bottom.
The last sentence was underlined.
Do not trust the person who brings your mother back.
Nora slowly lowered the letter.
Everyone stared at her.
Evelyn asked quietly.
What does it say?
Nora couldn't answer.
She looked at David.
Then Julian.
Then Evelyn.
Her mother.
The person she had dreamed of meeting her entire life.
The person she had just learned might be dangerous.
Nora folded the letter.
Nothing.
Evelyn's expression changed.
Nora.
I said nothing.
A sharp metallic sound came from the hallway.
David immediately raised his hand.
Everyone froze.
Footsteps approached.
Slow.
Measured.
Someone entered the warehouse.
A man's voice echoed through the room.
Nora.
She recognized it.
She had heard it once before.
On an old recording.
Silas Montgomery.
May you like
He laughed softly.
You finally found the room.
