Chapter 10 - THE NAME ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Nora couldn't understand.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“But Chloe is the beneficiary.”
“Now.”
“Why was it changed?”
“Because Claire insisted.”
“Why?”
“Because she believed someone would eventually come after you.”
Nora looked toward Chloe's room.
“And she was right.”
Eleanor nodded.
“But there's something else.”
“What?”
“The trust wasn't funded with money.”
Nora frowned.
“Then what was in it?”
“Evidence.”
“Evidence of what?”
Eleanor opened an old safe.
Inside was a single sealed document.
She handed it to Nora.
The seal carried the Bennett family crest.
Nora opened it.
Inside was a list of names.
Some were unfamiliar.
Some belonged to powerful businesses.
One belonged to a federal contractor.
Another belonged to a bank.
Another belonged to David Vance.
And one belonged to Julian.
Nora stared.
“Why is my husband's name here?”
Eleanor looked away.
“He was added later.”
“When?”
“After Claire disappeared.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Nora looked at the document again.
There was a handwritten note at the bottom.
If Nora ever discovers the truth, give her the second file.
Nora looked up.
“What second file?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“I don't have it.”
“Who does?”
“I believe David.”
Nora stood.
“Then I’ll find him.”
Eleanor grabbed her wrist.
“Don't.”
“Why?”
“Because David doesn't want you to find him.”
“What does he want?”
Eleanor's eyes filled with fear.
“He wants you to find someone else.”
“Who?”
Before Eleanor could answer, every light in the mansion went out.
Chloe screamed upstairs.
Nora ran.
“Chloe!”
She reached the bedroom.
The window was open.
The curtains moved in the night air.
Chloe was gone.
Nora screamed her name.
Julian rushed upstairs.
“What happened?”
“She was here.”
They searched every room.
Then Nora noticed something on the bed.
A lavender ribbon.
Chloe's ribbon.
Beside it was a note.
Nora picked it up.
May you like
There were only six words.
Ask Julian what happened twenty years ago.
