Chapter 7 - The Secret Beneath the Portrait
Alex returned home before dawn.
The funeral house was surrounded by police.
Teresa sat alone in the dining room.
Arthur was asleep.
Lily had been brought back under supervision.
Alex found her sitting on the staircase.
She ran into his arms.
“Daddy.”
He held her tightly.
“I'm here.”
“Did you find Mommy?”
Alex couldn't answer.
Lily looked at him.
“You're going to find her.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
She whispered.
“She told me you would.”
Alex froze.
“When?”
“The night she disappeared.”
“What did she tell you?”
Lily looked around.
“She said grown-ups lie when they're scared.”
Alex smiled sadly.
“She was right.”
Lily touched his hand.
“She also said to look behind her picture.”
Alex looked toward Clara's memorial portrait.
The portrait had been placed above the fireplace.
He walked toward it.
The frame was heavy.
He removed it.
Behind it was a small safe.
Teresa entered.
“No.”
Alex turned.
“You knew.”
She shook her head.
“I knew there was a safe.”
“What's inside?”
“I don't have the key.”
Alex looked at her.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Teresa's voice broke.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You've been protecting everyone except Clara.”
Teresa closed her eyes.
“She made choices.”
“What choices?”
“She found out things she shouldn't have.”
“About Dad?”
Teresa said nothing.
Arthur suddenly woke.
He stared at the safe.
His face filled with fear.
He shook his head.
Alex looked at him.
“Dad?”
Arthur pointed toward Teresa.
Then the safe.
Then himself.
Alex understood.
“You opened it.”
Arthur nodded.
Teresa whispered.
“Arthur…”
Alex looked between them.
“What was inside?”
Arthur struggled to speak.
“C…”
“Clara?”
Arthur shook his head.
“C…”
He pointed toward the photograph.
Alex leaned closer.
“Who?”
Arthur finally forced out a word.
“Carter.”
Alex frowned.
“We're all Carters.”
Arthur shook his head.
Then he pointed toward the safe.
“Contract.”
Alex stared.
A contract.
He found a key hidden beneath the portrait.
The safe opened.
Inside was a folder.
The first page contained a legal document.
Alex read the name.
Clara Carter.
Then another name.
Alex's.
His signature appeared beneath it.
But he had never signed the document.
He turned the page.
The document transferred control of Clara's estate to a private company.
The date was three days before her disappearance.
Alex whispered.
“This isn't my signature.”
Teresa began crying.
“No.”
Alex looked at her.
“Who forged it?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
A second document fell from the folder.
It was a birth certificate.
Alex picked it up.
The name on it made his blood run cold.
Lily Carter.
Mother: Clara Carter.
Father: Unknown.
Alex stared.
“What is this?”
Teresa's face went white.
Lily stood at the doorway.
She heard him.
“Daddy?”
Alex quickly folded the paper.
“Go back upstairs, sweetheart.”
But Lily didn't move.
She looked at the document.
May you like
Then at Alex.
“Mommy said you would find that.”
