Chapter 10: The Man Who Was Supposed to Die in Sarah's Place
For several seconds, I couldn't understand what Sarah had just told me.
My father had supposedly died eleven years ago. Sarah had disappeared two years ago. And now I was being told that an accident intended for my father had somehow become the reason my wife was declared dead.
"Explain that," I demanded.
Sarah sat down, pressing both hands against her forehead.
"Your father discovered that Victor Hale was stealing money from the investment company. He had evidence that could put everyone involved behind bars.""
Richard stood near the window, looking older than I had ever seen him.
"Your mother found the same evidence," he said.
"She wanted to expose it. I wanted to negotiate.""
I turned toward him.
"You let my mother die.""
His eyes filled with tears.
"I failed her, Michael. I'll carry that for the rest of my life.""
Sarah continued.
"Eleven years ago, Victor arranged for your father to disappear. He wanted Richard's death to look like a medical emergency. But Richard survived an attempt on his life and went into hiding.""
I stared at him.
"You faked your death?""
Richard nodded.
"I was terrified they'd come after you.""
"So you let me bury an empty coffin?""
He lowered his head.
"Yes.""
I wanted to scream.
But Sarah wasn't finished.
"Two years ago, I discovered that Victor had found your father's hiding place. He wanted the original ledger Richard had taken from the company.""
"Why didn't he just kill him?""
"Because Richard had made copies. If he died, the evidence would be released.""
Daniel looked up.
"Then why did the accident happen?""
Sarah took a breath.
"Because Hayes arranged a meeting with me. He told me he had information about your father. He said if I came alone, he'd give me the documents.""
She looked at me.
"I was driving home when someone forced my car off the road. I remember the impact. I remember waking up in a hospital. But when I opened my eyes, Hayes was standing beside my bed.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did he say?""
Sarah's voice trembled.
"He told me Michael believed I was dead.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"He told you that?""
"He said you had already identified my body. He showed me a photograph of a funeral. Then he threatened Lily.""
I felt sick.
"Why didn't you escape?""
"I tried.""
She wiped her eyes.
"Three days later, I discovered that the woman Hayes had presented as me at the hospital wasn't actually me. Someone had arranged the paperwork. They had made it appear that I had died.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Then whose body was identified?""
Sarah looked toward Richard.
"That's what we still don't know.""
I stared at both of them.
"Are you telling me someone else was buried under my wife's name?""
Sarah nodded.
Before I could ask another question, my phone rang.
Mrs. Bennett.
I answered immediately.
"Is Lily okay?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Michael, she's gone.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
"Someone came to the house. They said you had been in an accident. They showed me a photograph of you in a hospital bed.""
"Who?""
"I thought they were police officers. They had badges.""
I stood so quickly that my chair fell backward.
"Where's Lily?""
"One of them said they needed to take her to you. I didn't realize until they drove away that something was wrong.""
I couldn't breathe.
"Did you see the car?""
"A black SUV.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was already dialing the emergency number.
Sarah grabbed my arm.
"Michael, they know about the letter.""
I ran toward the exit.
Daniel followed.
Richard shouted behind us.
"Wait! I know where they're taking her!""
I turned.
He was holding an old photograph.
It showed a large country house surrounded by trees.
"Victor owns this property outside Nashville. He used it before he moved the operation to Charlotte.""
Daniel took the photograph.
"Why didn't you tell us about this place?""
Richard's voice broke.
"Because that's where I saw your mother for the last time.""
Nobody spoke.
Sarah looked at him.
"Richard, are you sure?""
He nodded.
"Victor used it as a private meeting place. If Hayes has taken Lily, that's where he'll take her.""
I looked at Sarah.
"Then we're going.""
She caught my hand.
"Michael, listen. They're expecting you to come.""
"I don't care.""
"That's exactly what they want.""
I looked at her.
"That's my daughter.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I know. She's my daughter too.""
Daniel stepped between us.
"We'll coordinate with the authorities. Nobody goes in alone.""
My phone vibrated.
A new message.
It contained a photograph of Lily sitting on a wooden chair.
She was crying.
Her pink hairbrush lay on a table beside her.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
*BRING THE ORIGINAL LEDGER. YOU HAVE ONE HOUR.*
Then another message arrived.
*AND COME WITHOUT SARAH.*
I looked at my wife.
She had already seen it.
Her face went white.
"Michael," she whispered.
I put my arms around her.
For two years, she had been trying to come home.
May you like
Now our daughter was being used to keep her away.
And I wasn't going to let that happen again.
