Chapter 8 - The Chapel Across the Ice
The officers refused to let Clara cross the frozen lake.
Instead, they took the longer path through the northern woods. Mara accompanied her while Elias remained at the mansion to coordinate the financial investigation.
Nathan was transported for formal questioning. He had not yet been charged, but the altered deed, fraudulent loans and recorded custody scheme left little doubt that charges would come.
Before leaving, Nathan asked to speak with Lily.
Clara refused.
“You don’t get to confuse her because you’re frightened,” she said. “When she sees you again, it will be with a child specialist present.”
“I’m her father.”
“Then you should have remembered her before she had to ask why you didn’t want her.”
Nathan’s face broke for the first time.
Not dramatically. Not enough to erase what he had done.
But Clara saw the truth reach him.
He had not lost a house.
He had lost the right to expect his daughter’s trust.
The path to the chapel wound through pine trees heavy with snow. A weathered stone building appeared beyond the northern wall, its narrow windows covered with frost.
The footprints ended at the wooden door.
Inside, candles burned along the center aisle.
Fresh candles.
Clara stopped.
“Mara.”
“I see them.”
Two officers searched the building.
No one was there.
At the front of the chapel stood a portrait of Henry Vale, Clara’s grandfather. Beneath it lay a white rose and a sealed envelope.
Clara recognized her mother’s handwriting.
You arrived before Victor. That means Nathan finally chose fear over loyalty.
Inside the envelope was a letter dated the previous evening.
Clara,
I am close enough to see the lights of Ashbourne, but I cannot enter while Victor’s people are watching the main house. Samuel holds the final ledger. The page beneath the statue was designed to guide you to him.
Do not bring the ledger to the mansion.
Victor no longer needs Nathan. He needs you, Samuel and the key your father left behind.
There is one more truth you must understand.
Northstar does not contain the two hundred million Victor expects. It contains evidence connected to judges, contractors, public officials and international accounts. If opened incorrectly, automated files will be released without context. Innocent people may be named beside guilty ones.
Your consent and Samuel’s must be given together.
Trust Mara Voss.
Do not trust anyone who claims to have seen me after midnight.
Clara read the final line again.
The candles were still warm.
Someone had been inside the chapel minutes earlier.
Her phone vibrated.
A message appeared from Nathan’s number.
I found your mother. Come alone to the greenhouse.
Clara showed Mara.
“Anyone could be using his phone,” Mara said.
“He was taken into custody.”
“Then he isn’t sending this.”
Another message appeared.
Bring the key or Evelyn dies before sunrise.
Mara immediately contacted officers at the mansion.
Nathan’s phone had been logged into evidence and placed in a secure container.
Someone had cloned his number.
The greenhouse stood near Ashbourne’s eastern garden, less than half a mile from the chapel. Mara instructed Clara to remain with the officers while a tactical team approached.
Clara agreed.
Then her second phone rang.
It was the private device she used only for Lily’s school and medical contacts. Almost no one knew the number.
A woman spoke.
“Clara?”
The voice was faint, but Clara knew it.
“Mom?”
A breath trembled across the line.
“Do not go to the greenhouse.”
Clara leaned against the chapel wall.
“Where are you?”
“I cannot tell you yet.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I know.”
“You were outside the house. You were near Lily.”
“I know.”
“Then come here.”
“I can’t.”
“You keep saying you’re protecting me, but you’re making choices for me just as Nathan did.”
Silence followed.
When Evelyn answered, her voice was unsteady.
“You’re right.”
Clara closed her eyes.
“Then stop running.”
“I will. But first, listen carefully. Victor sent someone to the greenhouse because he believes the key opens Northstar.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“The key opens your father’s vault. Northstar requires something else.”
“What?”
“Your grandfather’s signet ring.”
Clara remembered the gold ring her grandfather wore every day. It had disappeared after his funeral. The family assumed it had been buried with him.
“Where is it?”
“I gave it to the only person Victor would never search.”
“Samuel?”
“No.”
A creak sounded near the chapel entrance.
Mara turned.
Lily stood in the doorway holding Mrs. Harrow’s hand.
Clara’s heart stopped.
“What is she doing here?”
Mrs. Harrow looked confused. “You sent a message telling me to bring her.”
Clara had sent no such message.
Lily wore a thin chain around her neck.
May you like
A gold ring hung from it.
“Grandma gave it to me,” she said.
