Chapter 13 - the last train at bellweather
Bellweather Station had been closed for renovations, but the western platform remained accessible through a maintenance gate.
Julian arrived shortly before midnight.
He came alone, as Evelyn had demanded.
At least, that was what he wanted her to believe.
Claire and two trusted officers waited in an unmarked vehicle across the street. Elena remained at Ashford House with Nora and Victoria.
Rainwater reflected the station’s yellow lights.
Julian walked beneath the iron clock where he had first met Elena two years earlier.
Evelyn stood at the far end of the platform.
She no longer wore the wedding gown. Her dark coat and loose hair made her appear more like Elena than ever.
“You brought the police,” she said.
“You brought Marcus into my family.”
“He was already there.”
Julian stopped.
“What does that mean?”
“Marcus began working for the foundation before I found him. He was recruited by someone inside your father’s office.”
“My father is dead.”
“Dead people create the most loyal servants. They cannot contradict the stories told in their names.”
“What do you want?”
“The Daughter Ledger.”
“I don’t have it.”
“You know where it is.”
“Iris said it was hidden where I met Elena.”
Evelyn’s expression shifted.
“Iris.”
“You know her.”
“She knows everyone. That is how she survives.”
“Is she your sister?”
“She told us she was.”
“You didn’t believe her?”
Evelyn laughed softly.
“Belief is a luxury for people who grew up with their own names.”
She walked toward the station bench where Julian and Elena had shared their first conversation.
“Your fiancée sat here waiting for Iris. Then you arrived. Do you understand the perfection of that moment? An Ashford heir walked directly into the life of a St. Agnes subject.”
“You think Iris planned it.”
“I know she did.”
Evelyn ran her fingers beneath the bench.
A metal compartment opened.
It was empty.
Her face changed.
“You moved it.”
“I never knew it existed.”
She searched the compartment again.
Someone had carved a sentence into the metal.
THE DAUGHTER ALWAYS RETURNS TO HER MOTHER.
Evelyn stepped back.
“That was not here before.”
A train horn sounded in the distance, though no trains were scheduled to pass through the closed station.
Julian heard movement behind the dark ticket office.
“Evelyn, who else knows we’re here?”
She did not answer.
A red light appeared on Julian’s chest.
A laser sight.
Evelyn saw it and pushed him behind a pillar.
The station window shattered.
The shot struck the iron clock.
Claire and the officers emerged from the street entrance.
Evelyn ran toward the maintenance tunnel. Julian followed.
They descended into the narrow passage beneath the tracks. At the bottom, Evelyn stopped beside a service cabinet.
She pressed her hand against the wall.
A panel opened.
Inside was a waterproof black book.
“The Daughter Ledger,” Julian said.
Evelyn reached for it.
Julian caught her wrist.
“You tried to marry me for this.”
“I tried to marry you because the biometric lock required an Ashford spouse.”
“Marcus said it only required my blood.”
“Marcus knew what I allowed him to know.”
The sound of approaching officers echoed from the stairs.
Evelyn looked at the ledger.
“If they take that book, half the people named inside will be dead before morning.”
“Then help me protect them.”
“Like your father protected St. Agnes?”
“My father tried to expose it.”
“Your father helped design the replacements.”
Julian froze.
“You saw the recording.”
“I saw the recording he wanted his children to see.”
Evelyn pulled away.
“He never told you why the system required an Ashford heir.”
“Why?”
“Because your family did not fund St. Agnes.”
She leaned closer.
“They owned it.”
The officers reached the tunnel.
Evelyn stepped back and raised her empty hands.
“I surrender.”
Julian stared at her.
The decision had come too easily.
Claire removed the black ledger from the compartment.
An officer placed Evelyn in restraints.
As they led her away, she looked at Julian.
“Ask Elena what was inside the notes you spilled tea on.”
Julian did not react.
“She never let you read them, did she?”
Evelyn smiled.
“Those notes were not about St. Agnes.”
May you like
“What were they about?”
“You.”
