Chapter 5 - The Empty Basket
Grant drove home faster than he had ever driven in his life.
Rachel called before he reached the building.
"We're safe."
Grant nearly stopped the car in the street.
"Where?"
"Your sister's place."
"Lily?"
"With me."
Grant closed his eyes.
"Vanessa?"
"She searched the nursery before we left."
"The pendant?"
Rachel was silent.
"Rachel."
"Lily didn't have it."
Grant gripped the steering wheel.
"Where is it?"
"I don't know."
When Grant arrived at the penthouse, Vanessa was waiting in the living room.
She had changed into white trousers and a cream blouse.
She looked calm.
Too calm.
"Where is Lily?"
"Safe."
"With whom?"
"Safe."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"So now you're taking your daughter away from me?"
"You slapped her?"
Vanessa's face changed.
"What?"
"Have you ever hit Lily?"
"No."
"Pulled her hair?"
"No."
"Threatened her?"
"No."
Grant watched her.
"I spoke to Thomas Hale."
For the first time, Vanessa's confidence cracked completely.
"Thomas is alive?"
Grant almost smiled.
Another truth revealed by the wrong answer.
"You thought he was dead?"
Vanessa stepped back.
"I don't know him."
"You just asked if he was alive."
"I meant."
"Stop."
Grant's voice filled the room.
Vanessa froze.
"No more."
Grant placed copies of the documents Thomas had given him on the table.
"Claire Cole."
Vanessa stared at the name.
"Your sister."
"Half sister."
"So she exists."
Vanessa looked away.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"Why was she using Elizabeth Whitmore's identity?"
Vanessa said nothing.
Grant continued.
"Why did money from Elizabeth's accounts move into your company?"
Vanessa's eyes returned to him.
"You went through my finances?"
"I didn't have to."
"Thomas gave you those documents?"
"Where is Claire?"
Vanessa smiled bitterly.
"Thomas always loved pretending he was the hero."
Grant stepped closer.
"Where is your sister?"
"You think Claire is some innocent prisoner?"
"I asked where she is."
"She disappeared."
"When?"
"Months ago."
"Why?"
"Because she steals. She lies. She manipulates people."
"You used her identity."
"My mother did."
"And then you did."
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
"You don't know what my mother did to me."
"Then tell me."
Vanessa looked toward the window.
For a moment, she appeared younger.
Tired.
"Claire was always the chosen one."
"Chosen by whom?"
"My mother."
"Why?"
"Because Claire looked like Elizabeth."
Grant stared.
"What?"
Vanessa laughed without humor.
"That's what this whole thing was about."
"Explain."
"My mother worked for your aunt. She worshipped her. After Elizabeth disappeared, my mother became obsessed with keeping Elizabeth alive."
"By using Claire?"
"Claire had similar coloring. Similar features. My mother forged documents, changed records, taught Claire Elizabeth's signature."
"Why?"
"Money."
Grant felt anger rising.
"And you continued."
"I survived."
"By stealing millions?"
"By taking back what your family owed us."
"My family owed you nothing."
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Your grandfather ruined my family."
"If that's true, expose him."
"He's dead."
"Then why hurt Lily?"
Vanessa's face flickered.
"I never hurt Lily."
Grant stared.
"She is terrified of you."
"Because Rachel poisoned her against me."
"Rachel didn't make the security cameras fail."
Vanessa stopped.
Grant continued.
"She didn't make Lily hide a pendant."
Vanessa's eyes moved toward him.
"You have it."
Grant said nothing.
"That's why you're here."
He understood.
Vanessa had searched Lily's room and found nothing.
She had assumed Grant possessed the pendant.
"You need it," he said.
Vanessa's mouth tightened.
"Give it to me."
"No."
"You don't know what it can do."
"Apparently it can scare you."
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
"Grant, listen to me. That pendant does not belong to Lily. It belonged to a dead woman."
"Which dead woman?"
Vanessa stopped.
Grant caught the phrasing.
Not a dead woman.
A specific dead woman.
"Elizabeth?"
Vanessa shook her head.
"Claire?"
Silence.
Grant stared.
"Is Claire dead?"
Vanessa whispered, "I don't know."
Then a small electronic chime sounded.
Both looked toward the hallway.
The private elevator doors opened.
Grant's father stepped out.
Charles took one look at Vanessa.
Then his face went white.
Not from anger.
Recognition.
"Vanessa."
She stepped backward.
Charles whispered, "You look exactly like Marianne."
Vanessa's expression changed.
"You remember my mother."
"I remember everything."
Grant looked between them.
"What happened eighteen years ago?"
Charles did not answer him.
He looked only at Vanessa.
"Where is Claire?"
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Everyone keeps asking me that."
Charles stepped closer.
"Because she called me."
Grant turned.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Vanessa froze.
Charles continued.
"She said she had evidence of what happened to Elizabeth."
Grant stared at his father.
"Where is she?"
Charles looked toward him.
"She asked to meet at the old Whitmore estate tonight."
Vanessa's face drained of color.
"No."
Grant noticed.
"Why not?"
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
"Claire is setting you up."
"For what?"
"She is dangerous."
Grant blocked the doorway.
"You're coming."
"No."
"Then tell me why you're afraid."
Vanessa looked at him.
For the first time, hatred replaced charm.
"Because if Claire tells you what she thinks she remembers, your entire family will turn against the wrong person."
"Who is the right person?"
Vanessa said nothing.
Grant stepped aside.
She hurried toward the elevator.
Charles watched her leave.
Grant turned to him.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Charles sat heavily.
"The last time I saw Marianne Cole was the night Elizabeth disappeared."
Grant felt the room grow colder.
"And?"
Charles looked at his son.
"She wasn't alone."
May you like
"Who was with her?"
Charles whispered, "Your mother."
