Chapter 10 - The Woman Who Came Back
The woman’s name was Claire.
She had been James’s wife.
And according to Richard, she had died six years earlier.
Yet the photograph had been taken recently.
Michael examined it.
“This is real.”
Daniel stared at Richard.
“You told us she was dead.”
“I believed she was.”
Emily looked confused.
“Why would Rebecca meet her?”
Richard shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Daniel looked at the photograph again.
There was something in the background.
A sign.
A hotel.
He zoomed in.
The location was only two hours away.
They drove there before dawn.
The hotel receptionist confirmed Claire had stayed there.
But she had checked out the previous evening.
“Where did she go?” Daniel asked.
The receptionist shook her head.
“She didn't tell us.”
Daniel showed her the photograph.
The woman beside Claire was Rebecca.
The receptionist recognized her.
“She was here too.”
Daniel felt his chest tighten.
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
“And Claire?”
“She arrived the day before.”
Richard looked at Michael.
“They planned this.”
Michael nodded.
But then the receptionist said something that changed everything.
“Rebecca wasn't alone.”
Daniel turned.
“Who was with her?”
The receptionist looked uncertain.
“A young woman.”
Emily stepped forward.
“What did she look like?”
“About your age.”
Emily went pale.
“Did she have dark hair?”
“Yes.”
Emily whispered.
“That's my friend Lily.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Why would Lily be with Rebecca?”
Emily shook her head.
“I don't know.”
The receptionist handed them a small envelope.
“Rebecca left this for Daniel.”
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a single handwritten sentence.
You were never supposed to find out this way.
Below it was an address.
Daniel recognized it immediately.
It was his childhood home.
The house Richard had sold years ago.
Daniel looked at his father.
“Why would she send us there?”
May you like
Richard whispered.
“Because that's where James hid the original evidence.”
