Chapter 12 - The House From Her Childhood
They escaped through the service entrance.
Nobody spoke during the drive.
Rachel held the key tightly.
Daniel drove.
Vanessa sat in the back.
Ethan followed in another car.
The old Mercer property stood empty beneath a gray morning sky.
Rachel hadn't seen it since she was nineteen.
The house looked smaller.
The porch sagged.
The windows were boarded.
But the red front door remained.
Rachel touched it.
Memories returned.
Her father reading in the living room.
Her mother cooking.
Her childhood bedroom.
The sound of rain against the roof.
She stepped inside.
Dust covered everything.
Daniel followed.
Vanessa stayed near the entrance.
Rachel looked at her.
"Why won't you come in?"
Vanessa stared at the hallway.
"Because the last time I was here, someone tried to kill me."
Rachel stopped.
"When?"
"Twenty-four years ago."
Rachel looked around.
"Who?"
Vanessa whispered.
"I don't know."
They searched the house.
Nothing.
Then Rachel entered her childhood bedroom.
The old wallpaper was still there.
She touched the wall.
A memory surfaced.
Her father had once told her that the room was special.
She had never understood why.
Rachel looked at the bookshelf.
One book sat slightly crooked.
She pulled it out.
A compartment opened behind it.
Inside was a small metal box.
Vanessa stepped closer.
"That's it."
Rachel inserted the key.
The lock opened.
Inside were photographs.
Bank records.
Letters.
A cassette tape.
And one sealed envelope.
Rachel picked up the envelope.
Her name was written on it.
Rachel Mercer.
She opened it.
Her father's handwriting appeared again.
Rach,
If you found this, then the people who tried to silence me failed.
But there is something I need you to know before you trust anyone.
Especially Daniel.
Rachel looked at Daniel.
He went still.
She continued reading.
Your husband was not involved when this began.
But he became involved later.
He knows more than he has told you.
Rachel stopped.
Daniel looked at her.
"Rachel."
She kept reading.
He believes he is protecting you.
But he is also protecting himself.
Rachel's hands trembled.
Vanessa looked away.
The final paragraph was short.
There is one person who knows the complete truth.
Patricia.
Rachel stared.
"Patricia."
Daniel shook his head.
"My mother doesn't know."
Rachel looked at him.
"Your father says she does."
Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
It was Ethan.
His voice was urgent.
"Daniel, get out of the house."
"Why?"
"I traced the money."
Daniel's face changed.
"To where?"
Ethan paused.
"Your mother's account."
Daniel went silent.
Rachel stared.
"What?"
Ethan continued.
"Not the account you know."
Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
Rachel understood.
Patricia wasn't simply a witness.
She had access to the money.
And someone had been using her identity.
Rachel folded the letter.
"We're going to Patricia."
Daniel shook his head.
"She'll know we're coming."
May you like
Rachel looked at him.
"Good."
