Chapter 12 - Samuel's Confession
The letter changed everything.
Samuel admitted that years earlier, he had discovered that Emily's identity had been used to create hidden accounts.
He had tried to shut them down.
But doing so would have exposed the people involved.
So he created a false trail.
He made it appear that Emily had financial connections to the accounts.
He believed that if the criminals thought Emily was part of the operation, they would leave her alone.
Instead, the opposite happened.
Someone began monitoring her.
Samuel realized his plan had failed.
He brought Thomas Reed into the investigation.
He also secretly contacted Emily's mother.
That was when everything collapsed.
The letter ended abruptly.
Clara watched Emily finish reading.
“Where is my mother now?”
“I don't know.”
“You brought me here because you know something.”
“I know she was alive seven years ago.”
“That isn't enough.”
Clara reached into her bag again.
This time she removed a small key.
“Your mother left this.”
Emily stared.
“What does it open?”
“Your father's private archive.”
“Where is it?”
Clara looked toward the window.
“Under the Whitlock estate.”
Emily stood.
“Then we're going there.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Eleanor knows about the archive.”
Emily's phone rang.
It was Adrian.
She answered.
“Where are you?”
“Why?”
“Because I found the missing page.”
Emily froze.
“What missing page?”
“From Dad's letter.”
“Where?”
Adrian's voice dropped.
“In Eleanor's bedroom.”
Emily looked at Clara.
Then back at the phone.
“What does it say?”
A pause.
May you like
Then Adrian answered:
“It says your mother came back.”
