Chapter 12 - The Secret My Grandfather Carried
Nobody spoke.
Thomas stared at Rachel.
“What are you saying?”
Rachel shook her head.
“Not what you think.”
I looked between them.
“Then explain.”
Rachel sat down.
“When I discovered the financial network, I believed Victor was the person controlling it.”
Thomas listened.
“He wasn't.”
“Who was?”
Rachel looked at me.
“The network existed before Victor.”
Thomas whispered,
“No.”
Rachel nodded.
“It began inside the judicial system.”
Thomas took a step backward.
“You're saying…”
“Yes.”
“The original investigation was compromised.”
“By whom?”
Rachel looked at him.
“People you trusted.”
Thomas's face changed.
“Who?”
“I don't know all of them.”
“But you knew enough.”
Rachel nodded.
“And that's why you disappeared.”
“Yes.”
I asked,
“Why did Dad lie?”
Rachel looked at him.
“Because he was threatened.”
Dad's voice cracked.
“They told me they'd kill you.”
Rachel closed her eyes.
“I know.”
He started crying.
“I didn't know what else to do.”
Rachel looked at him.
“You could have trusted me.”
“I was afraid.”
“So was I.”
The room became quiet.
I realized something.
My father had made terrible choices.
But he hadn't been the only person trapped in the story.
Then Rachel looked at Thomas.
“There is something you need to know.”
“What?”
“The records you thought you destroyed weren't destroyed.”
Thomas stared.
“Where are they?”
Rachel looked at me.
“They're inside the Mercer Foundation.”
Thomas shook his head.
“Impossible.”
“They were moved before the building was searched.”
“By whom?”
Rachel whispered,
“Your closest friend.”
Thomas went completely still.
“My friend?”
“Judge Samuel Reed.”
Thomas's face became pale.
I had never heard the name.
Rachel continued.
“He helped hide the records.”
“Why?”
“Because he was protecting someone.”
“Who?”
Rachel looked at me.
“Your father.”
Dad stared at her.
“I never asked him to.”
“I know.”
Thomas turned toward Dad.
“You knew Samuel?”
Dad nodded.
“Years ago.”
Thomas's eyes hardened.
“And you never told me.”
“I was afraid.”
Rachel stood.
“We don't have much time.”
“Why?”
She looked toward the lighthouse window.
“Because Michael knows we're here.”
A car stopped outside.
Thomas reached for the door.
Rachel grabbed his arm.
“No.”
“Why?”
May you like
She whispered,
“Because Michael isn't alone.”
