Chapter 13 - the dead chairman's empty grave)
Arthur Ashcroft's grave stood on a hill behind the family chapel.
By sunrise, police had secured the cemetery.
Jonathan did not want to go.
Maya understood why.
There were only so many dead relatives a man could be told might still be alive before reality itself became exhausting.
Vivienne joined them.
She wore a dark coat over her torn champagne gown.
Her pearl necklace was gone.
Jonathan confronted her beside the grave.
"Did you see Father's body?"
Vivienne stared at the headstone.
"Yes."
"After he died?"
"Yes."
"At the funeral home?"
A pause.
"No."
Jonathan's expression changed.
"Where?"
"Hospital."
"Who was there?"
"Mercer."
Maya and Jonathan exchanged a look.
Vivienne understood.
"Oh."
Jonathan laughed bitterly.
"That's what I said."
Investigators obtained an emergency order before noon.
The grave was opened.
The coffin was removed.
Vivienne stood fifty yards away beside Maya.
Jonathan stayed closer.
When the coffin was opened, the detective's face told them everything.
Empty.
Vivienne sat down on a stone bench.
For the first time since Maya had known her, she looked old.
"He left me."
Maya said nothing.
Vivienne continued.
"I spent eight years mourning a man who wasn't there."
"Maybe you should ask why."
Vivienne looked at her.
"Do you hate me?"
Maya considered the question.
"I hated you yesterday."
"And now?"
"I don't know you well enough."
Vivienne almost smiled.
"Fair."
Maya touched her cheek.
"It still hurts."
Vivienne looked ashamed.
"I'm sorry."
Maya had not expected the apology.
Vivienne continued.
"I cannot undo it."
"No."
"But I can say I was wrong."
Maya nodded once.
It was not forgiveness.
But it was something.
Jonathan approached.
"Federal investigators are taking over."
Vivienne looked up.
"And Miles?"
"Cooperating."
"Meaning?"
"He wants immunity."
Vivienne laughed.
"He always did believe consequences were for other people."
Jonathan sat beside his mother.
"Did Father ever mention Geneva?"
"Many times."
"Halcyon?"
Vivienne nodded.
"Only before Julian died. After that, never."
"Do you think he's alive?"
Vivienne looked at the empty coffin.
"I no longer know what I think."
Maya's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She stared at it.
Jonathan noticed.
"Answer."
Maya did.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then a woman's voice.
Older.
Soft.
"Maya."
Her heart stopped.
No one had spoken her name that way since childhood.
"Maya, don't say anything."
Maya stood.
Jonathan watched.
The voice continued.
"If Jonathan is with you, do not react."
Maya's hand shook.
"Who is this?"
The woman exhaled.
"You already know."
Tears filled Maya's eyes.
"Mom?"
Jonathan stood.
Vivienne stared.
The caller whispered, "Listen carefully."
Maya covered her mouth.
"You are alive."
"Maya."
"Fourteen years."
"I know."
"You left me."
"I know."
"Why?"
"I cannot explain over the phone."
"Then where are you?"
"Not Geneva anymore."
Maya looked at Jonathan.
Her mother continued.
"You found the second ledger."
"Yes."
"Did you open Catherine's envelope?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"Then Arthur knows you're involved."
Maya felt cold.
"Arthur is alive?"
"Yes."
Jonathan saw her expression.
"What?"
Maya raised a hand.
Anna continued.
"Miles was never the center of this."
"Who is?"
"You know his name."
"Arthur?"
Silence.
Then Anna whispered, "Not anymore."
Maya frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"Halcyon changed after Julian died."
"Who runs it?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because they may already be inside the mansion."
Maya looked toward Ashcroft Manor in the distance.
Guests gone.
Police everywhere.
Staff being interviewed.
"Mom, come home."
Anna began crying softly.
"I tried once."
"When?"
"The night Catherine disappeared."
Maya closed her eyes.
"Is Catherine alive?"
A long pause.
Then Anna said, "She was."
Jonathan stepped closer.
Maya stared at him.
"What happened to her?"
"I don't know."
"Where did she go?"
"Geneva."
"With you?"
"At first."
Maya swallowed.
"Did she leave Ethan behind?"
"No."
Jonathan froze.
Maya almost dropped the phone.
"What?"
Anna's breathing changed.
"The child Catherine took to Geneva was Ethan."
Maya looked at Jonathan.
"That doesn't make sense."
"I know."
"Ethan came home."
May you like
Anna whispered, "A boy came home."
The line went dead.
