Chapter 14 - The Funeral Record
The original funeral record was hidden inside an old archive.
Officer Reynolds helped Alex access it.
The record identified the woman as Emily Ross.
But Emily was not a stranger.
She had worked for Arthur Carter for seventeen years.
She had managed the family trust.
And three days before Clara disappeared, she had resigned.
Alex found her resignation letter.
It contained only one sentence.
I will not participate in another disappearance.
Alex stared at it.
Emily had tried to warn Clara.
Then someone had killed her.
Or at least made everyone believe she was dead.
But Emily was alive.
Which meant the body had been used deliberately.
Alex found the answer in the final page.
A list of names.
Clara Carter.
Emily Ross.
Daniel Carter.
Victor Hale.
Teresa Carter.
Arthur Carter.
And Alex.
Next to Alex's name was a handwritten note.
He doesn't know yet.
Alex's hands trembled.
Derek read it.
“Know what?”
Alex looked at him.
“I don't know.”
A sound came from the hallway.
Arthur's wheelchair rolled slowly into view.
Alex turned.
“Dad?”
Arthur stared at the names.
His eyes stopped on Alex.
Then he pointed toward himself.
He shook his head.
Then he pointed toward Alex.
And finally toward Lily.
Alex understood.
“You're saying I'm supposed to protect her.”
Arthur nodded.
Alex stepped closer.
“From Daniel?”
Arthur shook his head.
“From Victor?”
Again, no.
“From Teresa?”
Arthur hesitated.
Then slowly shook his head.
Alex's heart sank.
“Then who?”
Arthur's lips moved.
“C…”
“Clara?”
Arthur nodded.
Alex froze.
“Clara?”
Arthur's eyes filled with tears.
He pointed toward the phone.
Alex played the last recording.
Clara's voice emerged.
“Alex, if you hear this, please don't come looking for me.”
Arthur began shaking his head.
Clara continued.
“Because if you find me too soon, you'll put Lily in danger.”
Alex stared.
Then the recording changed.
A second voice appeared.
A man's voice.
Daniel.
“You have until midnight.”
Alex stopped the recording.
Arthur slammed his fist against the wheelchair.
BANG.
He pointed toward the window.
Outside stood Victor.
But Victor wasn't looking at Alex.
He was looking at Lily.
Then Victor raised his phone.
Alex's phone vibrated.
Unknown Number:
Midnight is not a deadline.
It's a warning.
A second message followed.
Come to the old Carter estate alone.
Bring the phone.
And don't tell Clara.
Alex stared at the screen.
Derek stepped closer.
“What did it say?”
Alex looked at him.
For the first time, he didn't know whether Derek was helping him or leading him somewhere.
Then Lily quietly said:
“Daddy…”
“What?”
“I know where Mommy is.”
Alex dropped the phone.
“Where?”
May you like
Lily pointed toward the old family portrait.
“Inside the picture.”
