Chapter 8 - THE WITHDRAWALS
The withdrawals were small.
Almost invisible.
A few hundred dollars.
Then a thousand.
Then several thousand.
All sent through accounts that seemed unrelated.
But one name appeared repeatedly.
D. Vance Holdings.
Nora stared at the statement.
“David stole from Claire.”
Julian shook his head.
“No.”
“Then what is this?”
“Payments.”
“For what?”
“I don't know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No.”
Julian pushed a folder toward her.
“I want you to see this.”
Inside were copies of letters.
Claire had written them.
Nora recognized the handwriting immediately.
She didn't know how.
But she did.
One letter was dated six months before Nora's birth.
Another was dated two years after.
Another was dated only three months ago.
Nora's hands trembled.
“She wrote this recently.”
Julian nodded.
“She may still be alive.”
Nora read the final sentence.
Do not trust Eleanor.
She looked up.
“Why would Claire say that?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying again.”
“No.”
“Then who can we trust?”
Julian looked at her.
“I don't know.”
A noise came from outside.
They turned.
The garden gate was open.
Nora's heart raced.
Julian moved toward the window.
Someone had entered the property.
Then Nora's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
“Nora?”
Nora froze.
“Who is this?”
The woman breathed softly.
“Don't ask Julian.”
“Who are you?”
“You need to listen.”
“Tell me your name.”
Silence.
Then:
“My name is Claire.”
Nora's knees nearly gave out.
Julian stared at her.
Nora put the phone on speaker.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Are you alive?”
A long silence.
“Yes.”
Nora covered her mouth.
“Why did everyone tell me you were dead?”
“Because someone wanted you to believe it.”
“Who?”
Claire hesitated.
“Your mother.”
Nora looked at Eleanor through the glass doors.
She was standing in the garden.
Watching them.
Claire whispered:
“She's coming.”
The call ended.
Nora ran downstairs.
“Mom!”
Eleanor turned.
“Who were you speaking to?”
Nora stopped.
“You know.”
Eleanor's face went pale.
“You spoke to Claire.”
“Yes.”
May you like
Eleanor whispered:
“Then it's already begun.”
