Chapter 4 - The Bennett File
James drove Emily to his house.
He didn't explain anything during the trip.
That frightened her more than if he had.
When they arrived, he locked the front door.
Then every window.
Emily watched him.
“Dad, what's happening?”
James walked into his study.
He opened a safe.
Inside was a black folder.
Emily stared.
“What's that?”
James didn't answer.
He placed the folder on the desk.
There was no name on it.
No official seal.
Only one word written in faded ink.
BENNETT.
Emily slowly approached.
“Is this about the woman?”
James nodded.
“Her name was Sarah.”
“Who was she?”
“My sister.”
Emily stopped.
“You had a sister?”
James looked down.
“I had a sister.”
The distinction made her heart sink.
“What happened?”
“She disappeared twenty years ago.”
Emily stared at the folder.
“Why didn't you ever tell me?”
“Because I believed she was dead.”
“And now?”
James opened the folder.
Inside were photographs, reports, handwritten notes and newspaper clippings.
Emily recognized Ryan in several photographs.
She stepped backward.
“No.”
James looked at her.
“Ryan knew Sarah.”
“How?”
“He was a teenager when she disappeared.”
Emily covered her mouth.
James continued.
“Ryan wasn't responsible for her disappearance.”
“Then who was?”
James looked at the photographs.
“I never knew.”
Emily picked up one report.
The last page contained a handwritten sentence.
SHE DID NOT LEAVE VOLUNTARILY.
Emily's voice shook.
“Why was Ryan in the file?”
James hesitated.
“Because he was the last person known to have spoken to Sarah.”
Emily looked up.
“And he never told you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Her phone vibrated.
Ryan.
She stared at the screen.
James said nothing.
Emily answered.
“Hello?”
Ryan's voice sounded calm.
“Where are you?”
“With Dad.”
“You need to come home.”
Emily looked at James.
“Why?”
“Because there's something you need to understand.”
“What?”
A pause.
Then Ryan said quietly.
“Your father isn't telling you everything.”
The call ended.
Emily lowered the phone.
James looked at her.
“He's right.”
She stared.
May you like
“What?”
“I am not telling you everything.”
