Chapter 10 - The Man Behind the Voice
Alex didn't open the door.
Derek stood beside him.
Emily backed away.
The voice came again.
“Alex, it's me.”
Alex recognized it.
Arthur.
But Arthur was physically upstairs.
Unless…
Alex looked at Derek.
“Is there another entrance?”
Derek shook his head.
“No.”
The door handle moved.
Alex stepped backward.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then Clara's voice.
“Alex.”
He closed his eyes.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Are you alive?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Alex's eyes filled with tears.
“Clara, please.”
“I need you to listen.”
“I am.”
“Don't trust the man at the door.”
Alex looked at the handle.
“Who is he?”
“He knows everything about the family.”
“Who?”
Clara whispered.
“Your father.”
The call ended.
Alex stared at the door.
Derek's face was pale.
“You heard her.”
“Yes.”
The door suddenly burst open.
A man stood outside.
Alex recognized him immediately.
Arthur.
But not the Arthur sitting upstairs.
This man was younger.
Stronger.
And wearing the same Carter family ring from Clara's photograph.
Alex stepped backward.
The man smiled.
“You've finally found the room.”
Derek whispered.
“It's him.”
Alex stared.
“Who are you?”
The man smiled.
“Your father's brother.”
Alex couldn't speak.
“I was told you would never discover this place.”
“Where is my father?”
The man smiled.
“Which one?”
Alex felt the world shift.
“What does that mean?”
The man looked at Emily.
“She knows.”
Emily began crying.
Derek grabbed Alex.
“We need to leave.”
The man reached into his coat.
Alex expected a weapon.
Instead, he pulled out an old photograph.
He held it toward Alex.
It showed three men.
Arthur.
The stranger.
And Victor.
Behind them stood Clara.
But Clara wasn't smiling.
She was pointing toward someone outside the frame.
The stranger said softly:
“Your wife discovered who ordered the money transfer.”
Alex stared.
“Who?”
May you like
The man smiled.
“Ask your daughter.”
