Chapter 11: The Woman Who Had Been Hiding My Family
I stared at Michael.
"Linda helped Sarah?""
He nodded.
"After Elizabeth died, Linda took Sarah to a private medical facility. She claimed she was protecting her.""
Tom leaned forward.
"Why would Linda protect her if she was working with Richard?""
"Because Linda wasn't always working for Richard.""
Michael looked down at his hands.
"She was involved in the charity's finances, yes. She approved some of the transfers. But she also discovered what Richard was planning to do with the children whose identities had been compromised.""
"Then why did she keep stealing my father's money?"" I demanded.
"Because Richard had something on her.""
"What?""
Michael hesitated.
"Her daughter.""
I frowned.
"Linda doesn't have a daughter.""
Michael looked at me sadly.
"She did.""
Tom sat back.
"Wait. Are you saying—"
"Her name was Claire. She died when she was very young. Richard used Linda's grief and guilt to control her.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't make sense. Why would he need to control her?""
Michael opened the folder.
Inside were copies of old medical records.
"Claire had been treated at a clinic funded by the children's foundation. Richard arranged the payments. When Linda discovered that the charity's money was being stolen, he threatened to expose the records and accuse her of helping him.""
I looked at the papers.
"Did she know about Mom's death?""
Michael's expression hardened.
"She knew Richard planned something. She didn't know exactly what he would do until it was too late.""
"Then why did she lie to me?""
"Because after your mother died, Richard convinced her that you would be next if she told anyone.""
I laughed bitterly.
"She made me think I was unwanted.""
Michael lowered his eyes.
"I know.""
"She let me believe my father was dead.""
"I know.""
"She took money that was supposed to be mine!""
Michael didn't answer.
I pushed back from the table.
"You're asking me to feel sorry for her?""
"No," he said quietly.
"I'm asking you to understand that she may be another person Richard destroyed.""
I looked at Tom.
He seemed troubled.
"Michael, what about the photograph of Margaret?""
Michael reached into his folder.
"I've been tracking the medical facility for years. It closed two years ago. The records were transferred to another location.""
"Where?""
"An assisted rehabilitation center outside Louisville.""
My heart began pounding.
"She's there?""
"I don't know if she still is.""
"Then we have to go.""
Tom placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Emily, we need to verify everything first.""
I turned toward him.
"What if she's been waiting for me?""
Nobody spoke.
Michael slid another photograph across the table.
It showed a woman sitting beside a window.
Her face was turned away, but I recognized the yellow cardigan.
My mother had owned one exactly like it.
On the back was a handwritten note.
She asks about her daughter every Friday.
I pressed the photograph against my chest.
"Take me there.""
Tom nodded.
"We'll arrange it.""
Then Michael's phone rang.
He looked at the screen and immediately stood.
"I have to go.""
"Wait," I said.
"What about Sarah?""
He froze.
"She's safe.""
"Where is she?""
Michael glanced toward the window.
"Not here.""
"Does she know about me?""
He hesitated.
"She knows she has a cousin. She doesn't know you're alive.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"Because Richard has been monitoring everyone connected to the foundation. If Sarah knows too much, she could become a target.""
Tom stood.
"Michael, you need to tell us everything.""
Michael shook his head.
"Not here.""
He reached into his coat and handed me a small photograph.
It showed a teenage girl standing beside a lake.
She had dark hair, bright eyes, and a familiar dimple.
Sarah.
On the back, she'd written:
For the cousin I hope I'll meet someday.
My eyes filled.
Then Michael whispered:
"She wrote that last month.""
I looked up.
"Last month?""
He nodded.
"She's been asking about you.""
Before I could respond, the diner door opened.
A woman walked inside.
She wore a black jacket and sunglasses.
Tom immediately recognized her.
"Linda?""
My aunt removed her sunglasses.
Her face was pale, and there was a fresh cut above her eyebrow.
"Emily.""
I stood.
"What happened to you?""
She glanced at Michael.
"You shouldn't be talking to him.""
Michael's expression hardened.
"Linda, you need to tell her the truth.""
Linda ignored him.
She walked toward me.
"Emily, we have to leave.""
I stepped backward.
"I'm not going anywhere with you.""
Her eyes filled.
"Please. Richard knows you're looking for Margaret.""
My heart stopped.
"How?""
Linda looked toward the entrance.
Then she whispered:
"Because he's been watching you since graduation.""
Tom stood between us.
"Where is Richard?""
Linda shook her head.
"Closer than you think.""
A loud crash came from outside.
The diner windows rattled.
Michael grabbed my arm.
"DOWN!""
We dropped beneath the table.
A black SUV had pulled into the parking lot.
Two men stepped out.
One pointed toward the diner.
Linda began shaking.
Michael pulled a small flash drive from his pocket and shoved it into my hand.
"Emily, take this.""
"What is it?""
"Proof that Margaret survived.""
I stared at him.
"Why are you giving it to me?""
His eyes filled.
"Because I may not get another chance.""
Then the front door opened.
A man's voice echoed through the diner.
"Michael Bennett. It's been a long time.""
Tom reached for his phone.
Linda grabbed my hand.
And I recognized the voice immediately.
May you like
It was the same voice I'd heard on my aunt's phone.
Richard Hayes.
