Chapter 14: The Last Piece Of The Puzzle
Thomas tried to leave.
Ryan blocked the door.
“Not until you tell me the truth.””
Thomas looked angry now.
The friendly mask was gone.
“You don’t know what you’re asking.””
Ryan stared at him.
“I’m asking why my best friend lied to me for three years.””
Thomas looked away.
“That’s not fair.””
I almost laughed.
Not fair.
That phrase always appeared when guilty people ran out of explanations.
“You stood at my husband’s funeral,” I said.
Thomas looked at me.
“You told him everything would be okay.””
His face changed.
“You have no idea what happened.””
“Then tell us.””
Silence.
Finally, Thomas sat down.
“I went to your father’s house because he asked me to.””
Ryan waited.
“He wanted me to deliver something.””
“What?””
Thomas looked at the table.
“A letter.””
Ryan froze.
“The letter.””
Thomas nodded.
“The one your father wrote before he died.””
My heart raced.
“Where is it?””
Thomas looked ashamed.
“I gave it to Mark.””
Ryan’s face turned cold.
“Why?””
“Because Mark threatened me.””
That surprised everyone.
“What?””
Thomas rubbed his face.
“Mark knew about my financial problems. He knew I owed money.””
Ryan stared.
“So he blackmailed you.””
Thomas nodded.
“He told me if I didn’t give him the letter, he would destroy my life.””
I looked at Ryan.
“And you believed him?””
Thomas looked at me.
“I was scared.””
The answer sounded familiar.
Everyone had been scared.
But fear didn’t excuse what they did.
“What happened after you gave him the letter?”” Ryan asked.
Thomas looked down.
“I realized too late that Mark wasn’t just trying to control the company.””
“What was he trying to do?””
Thomas looked at Ryan.
“He wanted to change the inheritance.””
The room went quiet.
Ryan whispered:
“My father’s death…”
Thomas nodded.
“I don’t know exactly what happened.””
That sentence bothered me.
“You were there.””
Thomas looked at me.
“I heard an argument.””
“Between who?””
“Your father and Mark.””
“Then?””
Thomas swallowed.
“Your father collapsed.””
Ryan stopped breathing.
“What?””
Thomas continued.
“I called emergency services.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Thomas looked broken.
“Because Mark told me he would make it look like I was involved.””
Ryan stepped back.
The betrayal was too much.
“So you let me believe my father died naturally.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Ryan asked:
“Where is the letter?””
Thomas hesitated.
“I don’t know.””
A phone rang.
Everyone froze.
This time, it wasn’t Thomas.
It was mine.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man’s voice spoke.
“Rachel?””
I knew that voice.
My blood turned cold.
“Mark?””
Ryan looked at me.
Mark laughed quietly.
“You finally figured it out.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“What do you want?””
A pause.
Then:
“I want the letter.””
Ryan stepped closer.
“What letter?””
Mark heard him.
“You should ask your wife.””
My heart dropped.
“What does that mean?””
Mark laughed.
“Because she already has it.””
I looked at Ryan.
“No.””
Mark continued.
“Rachel found the letter three years ago.””
My hands started shaking.
“That’s not true.””
“Isn’t it?””
Silence.
Because suddenly, a memory came back.
A memory I had buried.
A white envelope.
Hidden behind a drawer.
A letter I never opened.
Because Diane had told me it was private.
Because I was afraid.
Because I thought it belonged to Ryan.
Mark whispered:
“Check the old bedroom drawer.””
Then he hung up.
Ryan stared at me.
“Rachel?””
I couldn’t answer.
May you like
Because I remembered.
I remembered exactly where I put it.
