Chapter 10: The Son Nobody Was Supposed to Know About
I stood in the dining room staring at the photograph of Lily.
Someone had followed my daughter to school.
Someone knew her routine, her classroom, and the exact time she left the building.
And whoever had left that note knew things about my family that even I didn't know.
"Mark!""
Michael came rushing down the stairs.
"Where's Margaret?""
I pointed toward the open front door.
"She's gone.""
He picked up the photograph and examined it.
"That's not Richard's handwriting.""
"How can you tell?""
"Because I've seen his handwriting for eight years. He used to leave notes outside my room.""
I looked at him.
"What did they say?""
Michael swallowed.
"Usually, they reminded me that nobody was coming to save me.""
My stomach tightened.
I took another look at the photograph.
The picture had been taken from across the street, probably with a telephoto lens.
There was a small reflection in the window of the school building.
A man wearing a dark cap.
I enlarged the image on my phone.
Michael leaned over my shoulder.
Then his face changed.
"That's him.""
"Who?""
"The man who brought food to my room when Richard wasn't around.""
I turned toward him.
"You mean your jailer?""
Michael shook his head.
"No. He was different. He never spoke to me. He just left food and water.""
"Do you know his name?""
Michael stared at the reflection.
"Daniel.""
I searched my memory.
The name meant nothing.
Then Claire's warning came back to me.
My father had another son.
A son nobody was supposed to know about.
I called her again.
She answered immediately.
"Did you see the photograph?"" she asked.
"Yes. Who is Daniel?""
There was a long pause.
"Daniel Bennett.""
I closed my eyes.
"He's my father's son?""
"Yes.""
"How old?""
"Forty-two.""
I looked at Michael.
My brother shook his head in disbelief.
Claire continued.
"He was born three years before you. Your father had a relationship with a woman named Patricia Wells. When she became pregnant, Richard arranged for her to disappear.""
"Where is she now?""
"Dead. At least, that's what the records say.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Why is Daniel helping him?""
"Because Richard raised him to believe he was the rightful heir to everything.""
Michael suddenly grabbed the phone.
"Claire, it's Michael.""
Her breathing changed.
"Uncle Michael?""
"Yes.""
"Oh my God. You're alive.""
Michael closed his eyes.
"Apparently, that's a habit in this family.""
For the first time that afternoon, someone laughed.
It was brief, but it felt like a small piece of our old family returning.
Then Claire spoke.
"Michael, do you remember the night you disappeared?""
He nodded.
"I remember leaving the restaurant. Then a car hit me from behind.""
"That wasn't an accident.""
Michael looked at me.
"What?""
Claire continued.
"Daniel was driving the second car. Richard arranged everything.""
Michael's face turned pale.
"He tried to kill me?""
"Yes. But the car that crashed was carrying someone else. Daniel made sure the police identified the wrong person.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"Because Michael had discovered the original hospital records.""
I looked toward the window.
"Where is Daniel now?""
Claire answered quietly.
"Probably looking for me.""
I walked toward the kitchen.
"Claire, tell me where you are. I'll come get you.""
"No.""
"You're my sister.""
"Exactly. And I don't want you bringing Richard to my door.""
"Then tell me how to find the room beneath the church.""
She went silent.
"How do you know about that?""
"Vanessa found your note.""
A sigh came through the phone.
"St. Andrew's. The old church near the cemetery.
There's a storage room beneath the altar. The key is hidden inside the wooden cross on the east wall.""
I looked at the small silver key Vanessa had found.
"Is this the key?""
"Yes.""
"What's inside?""
"The original recording. The one that proves who arranged the hospital switch and who was responsible for your mother's disappearance.""
I looked at Michael.
"We're going.""
Claire immediately protested.
"Not tonight. Wait until I contact you.""
But before she could say anything else, I heard a metallic click.
Then a man's voice.
"Put the phone down, Claire.""
She screamed.
The call disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
"Claire?""
Nothing.
I called again.
No answer.
Michael grabbed his coat.
"Let's go.""
Vanessa appeared in the doorway.
"Where are you going?""
"To find Claire.""
She looked at the key in my hand.
"Mark, don't.""
I turned toward her.
"Why?""
"Because the church is where your mother disappeared.""
I froze.
"What did you say?""
Vanessa looked toward the staircase, where Lily was sitting quietly with her rabbit.
Then she whispered:
"Your mother didn't just hide the recording there.""
May you like
She took a shaky breath.
"She was buried beneath that church.""
