Chapter 13 - The Family That Lied
James finally admitted it.
Michael Bennett had disappeared twenty-five years earlier.
He had not died.
He had vanished.
The family believed he was dead because James had allowed them to believe it.
Emily stared at her father.
“You knew.”
James nodded.
“I knew he was alive.”
“And you never told me?”
“I was protecting you.”
“You keep saying that.”
James looked broken.
“I was wrong.”
Ryan stepped closer.
“Your father made a deal with Michael.”
James turned sharply.
“Ryan.”
“What deal?”
Emily demanded.
Ryan hesitated.
James said nothing.
Ryan continued.
“Michael promised to protect Sarah.”
Emily looked at James.
“And did he?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
James sat down.
“Michael believed Sarah had evidence against someone powerful.”
“Who?”
James looked at Ryan.
“Linda.”
Emily turned.
Ryan's face tightened.
“My mother?”
James nodded.
“She wasn't working alone.”
Emily felt sick.
“Who was helping her?”
James didn't answer.
Ryan suddenly looked toward the doorway.
Someone had entered the bank lobby.
A woman.
Long blonde hair.
Dark coat.
Emily stared.
The woman turned.
For one impossible second, Emily thought she was looking at Sarah.
Then the woman disappeared into the crowd.
Emily rushed toward the door.
“Wait!”
James grabbed her.
“Emily!”
She struggled.
“That was her!”
“Who?”
“Sarah!”
James stared at the lobby.
But the woman was gone.
Ryan looked at the photograph.
Then he whispered something.
“What?”
Ryan looked at Emily.
“She had your mother's ring.”
Emily froze.
“What ring?”
“The ring Sarah wore in every photograph.”
James's face changed.
“That ring was buried with her.”
Ryan shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed toward the entrance.
“Someone wants us to believe she is alive.”
Emily stared at him.
“Why?”
Before anyone could answer, James's phone rang.
The general.
James answered.
The voice on the other end was urgent.
“Get Emily out of the city.”
“Why?”
“Because Michael Bennett just contacted us.”
James froze.
“From where?”
A pause.
May you like
Then the general said:
“From inside your house.”
