Chapter 11 - THE NIGHT CLARA DISAPPEARED
By sunrise, Julian's home looked like a command center.
Detectives occupied the library.
Forensic technicians searched the surveillance room.
Marcus's security staff examined every access point.
Nobody had slept.
At 7:12 a.m., Julian finally convinced Clara to rest.
He walked her upstairs.
She stopped outside their bedroom.
"Are you angry with me?"
Julian looked at her.
"Yes."
She lowered her eyes.
"But not for the reason you think."
She waited.
"I'm angry that you believed you had to carry this alone."
"I lied to you."
"Yes."
"I hid evidence."
"Yes."
"I met Morrow."
"Yes."
"You should be furious."
"I am."
A tiny smile appeared.
"That's comforting."
Julian touched her face.
"I don't know what's true anymore."
"Neither do I."
"But I know what I saw in that kitchen."
Her smile vanished.
Julian continued.
"I know nobody gets to treat you that way."
Clara leaned against him.
He held her.
For several seconds, the entire investigation disappeared.
Then Marcus called.
Julian kissed Clara's forehead.
"Sleep."
"I'll try."
He left.
At 8:03, a forensic technician found traces of blood beneath the floorboards of the surveillance room.
At 8:17, Bishop discovered the computer had previously been linked to a private server registered in Delaware.
At 8:41, Marcus found evidence that Lawrence had purchased a second passport.
At 9:02, Julian realized Clara had not answered three messages.
He went upstairs.
The bedroom was empty.
The bathroom was empty.
Her phone lay on the bed.
Julian's pulse changed.
"Clara?"
No answer.
He called Marcus.
"Find her."
Security footage showed Clara entering the bedroom at 7:14.
No footage showed her leaving.
Julian stared at the screen.
"Impossible."
Marcus changed cameras.
The bedroom balcony.
Nothing.
Hallway.
Nothing.
Service stairs.
Nothing.
Then one camera briefly distorted at 7:31.
Eleven seconds of static.
When the picture returned, the hallway was empty.
Julian sprinted upstairs.
He searched the bedroom himself.
Closet.
Bathroom.
Balcony.
Nothing.
Then he noticed cold air.
The wardrobe.
He pushed aside Clara's dresses.
A wooden panel at the back stood slightly open.
Another passage.
He tore it open.
A narrow stairway descended inside the wall.
Julian raced down.
It ended near the old servants' corridor.
A side door stood open.
Outside, fresh tire marks crossed the frozen grass.
Marcus arrived behind him.
"Vehicle?"
"Unknown."
Julian's phone rang.
Blocked number.
He answered.
"Where is she?"
A woman's voice spoke.
Not distorted.
Calm.
Familiar.
"Now you're finally asking the correct question."
Julian froze.
He knew that voice.
His mother.
"Eleanor."
Marcus stared.
Julian's grip tightened around the phone.
"Where is Clara?"
"Safe."
"You kidnapped my wife."
"I rescued my son."
Julian's expression changed.
May you like
"From what?"
"From the woman your father chose before he chose you."
