Chapter 5 - The Warning
Madison could not breathe for a moment.
A warning?
Evelyn nodded.
The trust was never about money.
Then what was it about?
Power.
Richard appeared behind them.
Enough.
Madison turned.
You knew.
Richard looked exhausted.
I knew part of it.
What part?
Your grandfather believed someone was stealing from the family.
Who?
We never proved it.
Madison looked at Bradley.
And you were hired to investigate?
Bradley answered.
I was hired to protect the family.
By whom?
Richard said nothing.
Madison looked at Evelyn.
You?
Evelyn shook her head.
No.
Then who?
Bradley closed his briefcase.
The person who hired me is dead.
Madison frowned.
Who?
He placed a photograph on the table.
Madison picked it up.
The photograph showed her grandfather standing beside four people.
Richard.
Evelyn.
A younger Bradley.
And a woman Madison had never seen.
Who is she?
Nobody answered.
Ethan stepped closer.
I know her.
Madison looked at him.
You do?
Ethan nodded.
She came to the house last winter.
Madison looked at her parents.
Why was she here?
Richard's expression hardened.
She should never have come back.
Bradley looked frightened.
Richard.
It is already too late.
Madison turned toward him.
What is her name?
Richard whispered it.
Victoria Hale.
Madison had never heard the name.
But something about it felt familiar.
She looked again at the photograph.
Then she noticed something in the background.
A framed document.
A date.
And a handwritten number.
Ethan leaned beside her.
That is the same number from my notebook.
Madison stared.
Suddenly the pieces began to connect.
The trust.
The missing signature.
The second lawyer.
The woman.
And Ethan's fear.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
Do not trust your father.
Madison froze.
Who is this?
The woman replied.
Ask your mother what happened on the night your grandfather died.
The call ended.
Madison slowly lowered the phone.
Evelyn was staring at her.
She knew.
Madison whispered.
May you like
Mom.
What happened that night?
