Chapter 8: Julian's Confession
I stared at the phone.
“My father?””
Julian breathed heavily on the other end.
“Yes.””
My father stood across the kitchen, his face unreadable.
“Julian,” I said, “you've lied to me for seven years.””
“I know.””
“You hurt me.””
Silence.
“I know.””
“You tried to take Noah.””
“I was trying to get him somewhere safe.””
“You left me on the floor.””
His voice cracked.
“I panicked.””
“You don't get to call that panic.””
“I know.””
Detective Lewis stepped closer.
“Put him on speaker.””
I did.
“Julian,” Lewis said, “where are you?””
“I can't tell you.””
“Why?””
“Because Vale has people everywhere.””
My father suddenly spoke.
“Then why should we believe you?””
Julian went silent.
Finally, he said, “Because I have proof.””
“What proof?”” I asked.
“The original medical report from your mother's death.””
My heart stopped.
“You have it?””
“Yes.””
“Where?””
“In the place Emily was supposed to find it.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“You remember the old house?””
I did.
The house where Mom had grown up.
It had been sold years ago.
Julian continued.
“There's a loose brick behind the fireplace.””
Detective Lewis looked at me.
“Do you know the house?””
“Yes.””
“Then we're going.””
Julian interrupted.
“No. You stay there.””
“Why?””
“Because if you leave the house, Vale will know you've found the notebook.””
“Julian,” I said, “who is Vale?””
“You already know.””
“Tell me.””
“He was laundering money through your mother's charity.””
My father flinched.
Julian continued.
“She discovered it. She threatened to expose him.””
“And you?””
“I was working for him.””
The words hit harder than I expected.
“You admitted it.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“I needed money.””
My hands tightened around the phone.
“You married me for money.””
“At first.””
The kitchen seemed to shrink.
“At first?””
Julian's voice softened.
“Emily, I didn't know what would happen. Your mother found out what I was doing. She told me to stay away from you.””
“But you didn't.””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because I fell in love with you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Don't.””
“I know how that sounds.””
“It sounds like another lie.””
“I wish it were.””
Detective Lewis cut in.
“Where is the original report?””
Julian hesitated.
“There's a second part.””
“What?””
“The report says your mother was alive when she was taken from the house.””
My father grabbed the counter.
“What?””
“She wasn't dead.””
Silence.
I couldn't breathe.
“Julian, what are you saying?””
“She was unconscious. Someone moved her.””
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I saw the car.””
“What car?””
“Richard Vale's.””
My father slammed his palm against the counter.
“Why didn't you tell anyone?””
“Because Vale threatened my family.””
“You could have told the police.””
“I was twenty-four.””
“You were a coward.””
Julian didn't argue.
“Yes.””
A long silence followed.
Then I asked, “What happened to my mother?””
“I don't know.””
“You're lying.””
“I swear.””
Detective Lewis motioned toward the phone.
“Ask him about Margaret.””
“Why was Margaret with you at the bank?””
“She was trying to stop the transfer.””
I frowned.
“She betrayed my mother.””
“She did.””
“Then why help you?””
“She regretted it.””
My father shook his head.
“No.””
Julian said, “Margaret has been trying to undo what she did for years.””
“Then where is she?””
Silence.
“Julian?””
“She disappeared three days ago.””
Detective Lewis's expression hardened.
“Where did you last see her?””
“At the storage unit.””
“When?””
“Three nights ago.””
My stomach turned.
“The same night the blue car was outside our house?””
“Yes.””
Then something crashed upstairs.
We all looked toward the ceiling.
Detective Lewis raised his weapon.
“Stay here.””
He moved toward the stairs.
Julian suddenly shouted through the phone.
“Emily, don't let him find the attic!””
Lewis stopped.
“What attic?””
Julian's voice became frantic.
“The attic door is behind the linen closet!””
My father looked at me.
We both knew there was no attic door.
At least, there hadn't been one.
Detective Lewis pulled open the linen closet.
Behind the shelves was a narrow wooden panel.
He removed it.
A staircase descended into darkness.
My phone slipped slightly from my hand.
Julian whispered,
“She left something there for you.””
“What?””
May you like
His voice broke.
“A recording of the night she died.””
