Chapter 5 - The First Lie
Natalie spent the afternoon searching old records.
The stranger's name was Richard Cole.
Former attorney.
Former business partner.
And, according to public records, dead for seven years.
Natalie stared at the screen.
That couldn't be right.
The photograph was taken three years before her grandmother died.
Richard should have been alive then.
She called Evelyn.
“Do you know Richard Cole?”
Evelyn was silent.
“Yes.”
“Is he dead?”
Another pause.
“That depends on who you ask.”
Natalie sat upright.
“What does that mean?”
“Your grandmother believed he was alive.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“Evelyn.”
“I swear.”
Natalie ended the call.
Then someone knocked on the front door.
She froze.
A delivery driver stood outside.
He handed her a small package.
No return address.
Inside was a key.
And a note.
You opened the box too soon.
Natalie looked toward the security cameras.
The footage showed no one approaching the property.
She called the police.
Before she could explain, another message arrived.
This time from Daniel.
Please stop digging.
Natalie stared at those words.
Then typed:
What are you afraid I'll find?
Daniel didn't answer.
Five minutes later, Cynthia sent a photograph.
It showed Natalie as a child standing beside her grandmother.
Across the photograph, someone had written:
She knew everything.
Natalie's heart began pounding.
She looked at the cedar box.
Then at the locked study.
May you like
There was only one question left.
What exactly had her grandmother known?
