Chapter 9 - Charles Finally Confesses
Charles stood in the entrance hall.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
Almost fragile.
Nora descended the stairs.
Tell me.
Charles looked at Evelyn.
Then at Julian.
Then David.
He shook his head.
Not here.
Nora's voice hardened.
You have had twenty-five years.
Tell me now.
Charles closed his eyes.
Your grandfather was going to expose Silas.
Why?
Because Silas had been stealing from the family foundation.
Millions.
But money wasn't the worst of it.
What was?
Silas had built a private network.
People in government.
Law enforcement.
Business.
People who could make evidence disappear.
Nora stared at him.
And you helped him.
Charles looked down.
At first.
Evelyn stepped forward.
You knew.
Yes.
Why?
Because I was afraid.
Charles looked at Nora.
Your grandfather told me that if he died, I would be responsible for protecting you.
Instead, you hid my mother.
I thought I was protecting you from Silas.
You declared her dead.
Because Silas was looking for her.
You let me hate her.
Charles's voice cracked.
I thought hatred would keep you from searching.
Nora shook her head.
You took my choice away.
I know.
For once, Charles did not defend himself.
He simply accepted it.
Nora asked quietly.
Who killed my grandfather?
Charles looked toward the portrait upstairs.
I don't know.
Evelyn stepped forward.
Liar.
Charles looked at her.
I know who was there.
Who?
Charles hesitated.
Your mother.
Evelyn froze.
I arrived after the gunshot.
Charles nodded.
And Silas was there.
But he wasn't alone.
Nora asked.
Who was with him?
Charles looked directly at Julian.
Julian's face went white.
My father.
Silence.
David closed his eyes.
Julian took a step backward.
No.
Charles continued.
Your father and Silas were arguing with my father.
Then the gunshot came.
Who fired?
Charles shook his head.
I never saw.
But there was someone else in the room.
Who?
Charles looked at Nora.
You.
Nora froze.
I was four.
Yes.
You were hiding beneath the desk.
You saw something.
I don't remember.
Charles nodded.
Your grandfather knew you might remember someday.
That's why he gave you the pendant.
Nora touched it.
What did I see?
Charles didn't answer.
He looked toward the window.
Then his expression changed.
We have to go.
Why?
Because Silas wasn't trying to kill your grandfather.
Nora frowned.
Then what was he trying to do?
Charles whispered.
He was trying to find out where the ledger was hidden.
A sound came from upstairs.
A floorboard creaked.
Everyone looked up.
Another creak.
Then another.
David raised his hand.
Someone is upstairs.
May you like
Charles whispered one final sentence.
And whoever it is has been waiting for Nora to remember.
