Chapter 10 - What Cynthia Was Looking For
Natalie remained hidden until the footsteps disappeared.
She waited nearly an hour.
Then she climbed out through an emergency passage connected to the garage.
Outside, she called Daniel.
“You lied to me.”
“I know.”
“You knew about the basement.”
“Yes.”
“You knew about the documents.”
“Yes.”
“You knew my grandmother was protecting me.”
Daniel didn't answer.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Cynthia?”
“No.”
Natalie felt cold.
“Then who?”
Daniel whispered,
“You'll understand when you see the last document.”
“What last document?”
“The original deed.”
Natalie stared at the house.
“Where is it?”
Daniel said,
“Your grandmother never kept it in the house.”
“Where?”
“With the bank.”
Natalie immediately drove downtown.
The bank manager greeted her privately.
He placed a sealed envelope on the desk.
“This was left under your name.”
Natalie opened it.
Inside was the original property deed.
Her name appeared clearly.
Natalie Hayes.
She stared.
Then the manager said,
“There is one more thing.”
He handed her another envelope.
“This was delivered yesterday.”
Natalie opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Cynthia.
Standing beside a man.
The same man from the photograph in her grandmother's study.
Richard Cole.
Natalie's stomach dropped.
Richard had claimed Cynthia came later.
But the photograph proved he had been with her.
The date was twenty years old.
Natalie called him.
He answered.
She said only one sentence.
“You lied to me.”
Richard was silent.
Then he said,
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
May you like
Richard replied,
“From the truth about your mother.”
