Chapter 3 - The Brother Who Knew Too Much
Alex turned slowly.
“What did you say?”
Derek realized his mistake.
“I said…”
“You said she wasn't supposed to call.”
“I was talking about the recording.”
“No.”
Alex stepped toward him.
“You knew Clara was alive after Monday.”
Derek shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain it.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
Derek looked at Teresa.
That was enough.
Alex saw the exchange.
“You both know something.”
Teresa began crying again.
“This family has been through enough.”
“My wife is missing.”
“You need to calm down.”
“My wife is missing, and you are telling me to calm down?”
Officer Reynolds stepped closer.
“Everyone needs to remain calm.”
Alex pointed at Derek.
“Ask him.”
Derek looked at the officer.
“I had nothing to do with what happened.”
“What happened?” Alex demanded.
Derek said nothing.
Arthur suddenly made a choking sound.
Everyone turned.
His hand moved toward his wheelchair.
He pointed toward the front door.
Then toward Derek.
Then toward the upstairs hallway.
Alex understood only one thing.
Arthur was warning him.
“Dad?”
Arthur shook his head violently.
Alex crouched beside him.
“Tell me.”
Arthur struggled.
“C…”
His lips trembled.
“C…”
“Clara?”
Arthur nodded.
Then he pointed toward the floor.
Alex looked down.
A tiny smear of blue paint marked the carpet.
He recognized it.
Clara's studio paint.
But the studio was on the opposite side of the house.
Why was it here?
Alex followed the marks.
They led toward a service staircase.
He opened the door.
The officers followed.
At the bottom was an old storage room.
The air smelled damp.
There was a wooden table.
On it sat a box.
Alex opened it.
Inside were Clara's belongings.
Her scarf.
Her watch.
A notebook.
And a photograph of Lily.
Alex picked up the notebook.
Every page had been torn out except one.
The remaining page contained a single sentence.
I trusted the wrong person because I thought family meant safety.
Alex felt his heart sink.
He turned toward Derek.
“Was it you?”
Derek looked horrified.
“No.”
“Then who?”
Derek looked at Teresa.
Teresa whispered.
“Stop.”
Alex moved closer.
“You're protecting someone.”
Derek's eyes filled with tears.
“You have no idea what they can do.”
“Who are they?”
Derek shook his head.
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because Clara made me promise.”
Alex froze.
“You spoke to her.”
Derek closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Before she disappeared.”
“What did she tell you?”
Derek hesitated.
“She told me that if you ever came home and found everyone acting like she was dead…”
He looked at Alex.
“…you were supposed to leave.”
Alex stared.
“Why?”
May you like
Derek whispered.
“Because the funeral wasn't for Clara.”
