Chapter 8: The Watch and the Third Door
The first## Chapter 8: The Watch and the Third Door
The first thing Nora did was lock thing Nora did was lock down every known copy of the trust documents.
The second was tell me that it might already down every known copy of the trust documents.
The second was tell me that it might already be too late.
“Chloe, the identity seal has been accessed using credentials that appear to belong to you,” she explained.
“We need to determine whether the system has released anything.””
“Can Derek be too late.
“Chloe, the identity seal has been accessed using credentials that appear to belong to you,” she explained.
“We need to determine whether the system has released anything.””
“Can Derek see the identities now?””
“We don't know.””
“That's a very popular answer today.””
Nora didn't take offense.
“Because guessing could get see the identities now?””
“We don't know.””
“That's a very popular answer today.””
Nora didn't take offense.
“Because guessing could get someone hurt.””
She turned her laptop toward Martin. A sequence of timestamps appeared on the screen, followed by a series of access codes.
Martin studied them someone hurt.””
She turned her laptop toward Martin. A sequence of timestamps appeared on the screen, followed by a series of access codes.
Martin studied them with increasing alarm.
“The request originated through an administrative gateway,” he said.
“It didn't come directly from Derek's account.””
“Whose account did it come from?”” I asked.
with increasing alarm.
“The request originated through an administrative gateway,” he said.
“It didn't come directly from Derek's account.””
“Whose account did it come from?”” I asked.
“The authorization record lists an independent trust officer.””
“Name?””
Martin enlarged the relevant field.
*ELEANOR BENNETT.*
My grandmother.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
“That can't be right. She“The authorization record lists an independent trust officer.””
“Name?””
Martin enlarged the relevant field.
*ELEANOR BENNETT.*
My grandmother.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
“That can't be right. She died fifteen years ago.””
Nora immediately began documenting the screen.
“Someone may have used a dormant credential, or the records may have been manipulated. We need the original authentication logs died fifteen years ago.””
Nora immediately began documenting the screen.
“Someone may have used a dormant credential, or the records may have been manipulated. We need the original authentication logs.””
Martin shook his head.
“Eleanor's credential was supposed to have been permanently disabled after her death.””
“Then someone has circumvented the system,” Nora replied.
I leaned against the table.
Derek had demanded my.””
Martin shook his head.
“Eleanor's credential was supposed to have been permanently disabled after her death.””
“Then someone has circumvented the system,” Nora replied.
I leaned against the table.
Derek had demanded my signature. He had tried to control my marriage certificate. He had threatened my father over a letter that supposedly contained the secret of the third trust signature.
He had tried to control my marriage certificate. He had threatened my father over a letter that supposedly contained the secret of the third trust.
Now my grandmother's identity was appearing on a system that should have had no reason to recognize her.
“How does a dead woman authorize anything?”” I whispered.
Martin looked at me.
.
Now my grandmother's identity was appearing on a system that should have had no reason to recognize her.
“How does a dead woman authorize anything?”” I whispered.
Martin looked at me.
“By leaving something behind that someone else can use.””
I immediately thought of the silver pocket watch.
“When I was sixteen, my grandfather gave me a watch. He said I should keep it even“By leaving something behind that someone else can use.””
I immediately thought of the silver pocket watch.
“When I was sixteen, my grandfather gave me a watch. He said I should keep it even when I didn't understand why it mattered.””
“Do you have it?”” Nora asked.
“At my apartment.””
“Then we're going there.””
“We can't waste time,” I said.
“Derek wants when I didn't understand why it mattered.””
“Do you have it?”” Nora asked.
“At my apartment.””
“Then we're going there.””
“We can't waste time,” I said.
“Derek wants me at the estate by eight.””
“We are not sacrificing the investigation to meet his deadline.””
“My father is missing.””
“And that's precisely why we're going to your me at the estate by eight.””
“We are not sacrificing the investigation to meet his deadline.””
“My father is missing.””
“And that's precisely why we're going to your apartment first. If the watch contains a clue to the third trust, it may tell us where he's being held—or what Derek intends to do next.””
I nodded apartment first. If the watch contains a clue to the third trust, it may tell us where he's being held—or what Derek intends to do next.””
I nodded.
But as we left the conference room, I couldn't shake the feeling that the clock had already started.
The drive to my apartment took seventeen minutes.
I had lived there for three years before moving some of my belongings into Derek's house. It.
But as we left the conference room, I couldn't shake the feeling that the clock had already started.
The drive to my apartment took seventeen minutes.
I had lived there for three years before moving some of my belongings into Derek's house. It was a modest two-bedroom apartment in a quiet neighborhood, filled with secondhand furniture, books, and the ordinary evidence of a life that had belonged entirely was a modest two-bedroom apartment in a quiet neighborhood, filled with secondhand furniture, books, and the ordinary evidence of a life that had belonged entirely to me.
I had intended to keep it for a few months after the wedding.
Derek had called that decision unnecessary.
“Why pay for an apartment you're to me.
I had intended to keep it for a few months after the wedding.
Derek had called that decision unnecessary.
“Why pay for an apartment you're not going to use?”” he'd asked.
“A married couple should have one home.””
I remembered how he'd kissed my forehead after saying it.
At the time, I had interpreted his words as a desire not going to use?”” he'd asked.
“A married couple should have one home.””
I remembered how he'd kissed my forehead after saying it.
At the time, I had interpreted his words as a desire for closeness.
Now I understood how conveniently he had framed isolation as romance.
Nora parked two buildings away, and we approached the entrance on for closeness.
Now I understood how conveniently he had framed isolation as romance.
Nora parked two buildings away, and we approached the entrance on foot.
The apartment door was closed.
But the lock had been damaged.
I stopped.
“Someone's been inside.””
Nora signaled for the accompanying agent to cover the hallway before she foot.
The apartment door was closed.
But the lock had been damaged.
I stopped.
“Someone's been inside.””
Nora signaled for the accompanying agent to cover the hallway before she approached the door.
She checked the frame, then motioned for me to stay behind her.
The apartment looked approached the door.
She checked the frame, then motioned for me to stay behind her.
The apartment looked almost normal from the entrance.
The sofa was in place. The kitchen counters were clean. A throw blanket lay folded over the armchair.
Then I noticed the drawers.
Every drawer in the hall cabinet stood open.
The cushions on the sofa had been removed. Books lay scattered across the living room floor. My desk had been emptied almost normal from the entrance.
The sofa was in place. The kitchen counters were clean. A throw blanket lay folded over the armchair.
Then I noticed the drawers.
Every drawer in the hall cabinet stood open.
The cushions on the sofa had been removed. Books lay scattered across the living room floor. My desk had been emptied, and the filing cabinet beside it hung open like a broken mouth.
Whoever had searched the apartment had known what to look for.
They, and the filing cabinet beside it hung open like a broken mouth.
Whoever had searched the apartment had known what to look for.
They hadn't stolen the television or the laptop.
They had searched for documents.
“Stay here,” Nora said.
I ignored her and went straight to the bedroom.
hadn't stolen the television or the laptop.
They had searched for documents.
“Stay here,” Nora said.
I ignored her and went straight to the bedroom.
My jewelry box sat open on the dresser.
The velvet compartments were empty.
The silver pocket watch was gone.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
I had imagined that it would be waiting exactlyMy jewelry box sat open on the dresser.
The velvet compartments were empty.
The silver pocket watch was gone.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
I had imagined that it would be waiting exactly where I left it, a tiny relic from a childhood I barely understood. I had imagined turning it over and finding the engraved symbol again.
Instead, someone had taken it.
“They knew,” I whispered.
Nora entered the doorway.
“Who where I left it, a tiny relic from a childhood I barely understood. I had imagined turning it over and finding the engraved symbol again.
Instead, someone had taken it.
“They knew,” I whispered.
Nora entered the doorway.
“Whoever searched this apartment knew the watch mattered.””
“Can we find them?””
“We'll document the scene and review available footage. But first, I want youever searched this apartment knew the watch mattered.””
“Can we find them?””
“We'll document the scene and review available footage. But first, I want you to tell me everything your grandfather said when he gave it to you.””
I sat on the edge of the bed.
“He told me it was older than our family business. He said it had belonged to his father, and that to tell me everything your grandfather said when he gave it to you.””
I sat on the edge of the bed.
“He told me it was older than our family business. He said it had belonged to his father, and that the engravings were added later.””
“What engravings?””
“Three intersecting lines on the back. And underneath the lid, five words: ‘When the third door opens.’”
Martin, the engravings were added later.””
“What engravings?””
“Three intersecting lines on the back. And underneath the lid, five words: ‘When the third door opens.’”
Martin, who had followed us into the room, went completely still.
“What?”” I asked.
He approached the dresser.
“Did your grandfather ever take you to the old Bennett who had followed us into the room, went completely still.
“What?”” I asked.
He approached the dresser.
“Did your grandfather ever take you to the old Bennett warehouse?””
“No. I was only a child when it closed.””
“Your grandfather maintained an office there long after the business was sold. It was built with three secured rooms warehouse?””
“No. I was only a child when it closed.””
“Your grandfather maintained an office there long after the business was sold. It was built with three secured rooms, each requiring a separate key.””
“Why?””
“Because he stored original shipping records there. After the fraud investigation began, he moved the most important documents somewhere else.””
I stared at him.
“Where?””
“We, each requiring a separate key.””
“Why?””
“Because he stored original shipping records there. After the fraud investigation began, he moved the most important documents somewhere else.””
I stared at him.
“Where?””
“We never found out.””
Nora's radio crackled.
A second agent had found something in the kitchen.
We followed her into the room, where she pointed toward a small envelope never found out.””
Nora's radio crackled.
A second agent had found something in the kitchen.
We followed her into the room, where she pointed toward a small envelope taped beneath the breakfast table.
It bore my name.
The handwriting belonged to my father.
I tore it open.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
*Chloe, if you're taped beneath the breakfast table.
It bore my name.
The handwriting belonged to my father.
I tore it open.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
Chloe, if you're reading this, they know about the watch. Do not go to the estate without finding the third key.
Your grandmother gave me a sealed letter before she died. I was reading this, they know about the watch. Do not go to the estate without finding the third key.
Your grandmother gave me a sealed letter before she died. I was supposed to protect it until the day the Whitmores tried to force you to release the identities.
I have failed to keep the letter safe.
But I have supposed to protect it until the day the Whitmores tried to force you to release the identities.
I have failed to keep the letter safe.
But I have not given it to them.
At the bottom, my father had written an address.
The old Bennett warehouse.
Beneath the address were four words.
*Find the third door.*
I looked at not given it to them.*
At the bottom, my father had written an address.
The old Bennett warehouse.
Beneath the address were four words.
*Find the third door.*
I looked at Martin.
“Can we get there?””
He nodded slowly.
“Yes. But Chloe, there's something I haven't told you about that building.””
“Of course there is.””
He accepted the rebuke.
“Your grandfather's original records weren't Martin.
“Can we get there?””
He nodded slowly.
“Yes. But Chloe, there's something I haven't told you about that building.””
“Of course there is.””
He accepted the rebuke.
“Your grandfather's original records weren't the only things stored there. In the final months before his death, he arranged a private meeting with Richard Whitmore. Richard was accompanied by someone whose identity was never officially recorded.””
“Who?””
Martin the only things stored there. In the final months before his death, he arranged a private meeting with Richard Whitmore. Richard was accompanied by someone whose identity was never officially recorded.””
“Who?””
Martin looked toward Nora before answering.
“We believe that person may have been the one who helped Richard disappear.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
“So my grandmother looked toward Nora before answering.
“We believe that person may have been the one who helped Richard disappear.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
“So my grandmother's letter could identify the person who faked his death.””
“It could.””
“And the watch is the key.””
“Possibly.””
I looked at the empty jewelry box's letter could identify the person who faked his death.””
“It could.””
“And the watch is the key.””
“Possibly.””
I looked at the empty jewelry box.
Someone had taken the watch because they knew what it could unlock.
And they had left my father's letter because they wanted me to find the address.
A trap.
A message.
Or both.
N.
Someone had taken the watch because they knew what it could unlock.
And they had left my father's letter because they wanted me to find the address.
A trap.
A message.
Or both.
Nora read the letter and immediately made a call.
“We're not going to the warehouse without support. I'll have a team secure the building and inspect the entrancesora read the letter and immediately made a call.
“We're not going to the warehouse without support. I'll have a team secure the building and inspect the entrances.””
I waited while she arranged the operation.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered without speaking.
My father's voice came through, thin and strained.
“Chloe?””
“Dad!.””
I waited while she arranged the operation.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered without speaking.
My father's voice came through, thin and strained.
“Chloe?””
“Dad! Where are you?””
“Listen carefully. I don't have much time.””
“Are you hurt?””
“No. Not yet.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Tell me where you are.””
“I can't. They're Where are you?””
“Listen carefully. I don't have much time.””
“Are you hurt?””
“No. Not yet.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Tell me where you are.””
“I can't. They're moving me soon.””
“Who?””
“Derek. And someone else.””
“Who?””
He took a shaky breath.
“The man your grandfather tried to expose moving me soon.””
“Who?””
“Derek. And someone else.””
“Who?””
He took a shaky breath.
“The man your grandfather tried to expose.””
A noise sounded behind him.
My father lowered his voice.
“Chloe, the third door isn't in the warehouse.””
I stared at Martin.
“What do you mean?””
“Your grandfather built.””
A noise sounded behind him.
My father lowered his voice.
“Chloe, the third door isn't in the warehouse.””
I stared at Martin.
“What do you mean?””
“Your grandfather built three rooms to protect the records. The third door was never a physical door. It was the person who could authorize the truth.””
I remembered the trust documents.
The three confirmations.
The sealed identities three rooms to protect the records. The third door was never a physical door. It was the person who could authorize the truth.””
I remembered the trust documents.
The three confirmations.
The sealed identities.
“The third holder,” I whispered.
“Yes.””
“Who is it?””
My father was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke a sentence I would.
“The third holder,” I whispered.
“Yes.””
“Who is it?””
My father was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke a sentence I would remember for the rest of my life.
“It's the person who signed your grandmother's death certificate.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
My grandmother had remember for the rest of my life.
“It's the person who signed your grandmother's death certificate.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
My grandmother had died fifteen years ago.
Her death certificate had been filed by a physician whose name I'd seen only once, on a memorial notice.
“Dad, tell me who it died fifteen years ago.
Her death certificate had been filed by a physician whose name I'd seen only once, on a memorial notice.
“Dad, tell me who it was.””
A crash sounded on the other end of the call.
My father gasped.
Then another voice took over.
A man's voice.
Calm. Older. Familiar in was.””
A crash sounded on the other end of the call.
My father gasped.
Then another voice took over.
A man's voice.
Calm. Older. Familiar in a way I couldn't immediately explain.
“Chloe, you've become a great deal of trouble for my family.””
I knew that voice.
I had heard it in old recordings from the wedding reception.
I had seen a way I couldn't immediately explain.
“Chloe, you've become a great deal of trouble for my family.””
I knew that voice.
I had heard it in old recordings from the wedding reception.
I had seen the man's face in photographs in Derek's study.
Richard Whitmore.
The man who had supposedly been dead for three years.
“You should have listened to your husband,” Richard said.
“Now the man's face in photographs in Derek's study.
Richard Whitmore.
The man who had supposedly been dead for three years.
“You should have listened to your husband,” Richard said.
“Now you're going to help me finish what your grandfather started.””
The call disconnected.
I lowered the phone.
Nora had already begun speaking into her radio, dispatching the you're going to help me finish what your grandfather started.””
The call disconnected.
I lowered the phone.
Nora had already begun speaking into her radio, dispatching the team toward the warehouse while requesting support at the estate.
Martin looked as if someone had knocked the air from his lungs.
“Richard is alive,” I whispered.
“Yes,” he replied.
“And team toward the warehouse while requesting support at the estate.
Martin looked as if someone had knocked the air from his lungs.
“Richard is alive,” I whispered.
“Yes,” he replied.
“And he's holding my father.””
Nora stepped closer.
“Chloe, we're going to get him back.””
I looked at the envelope in my hand.
My father had written that he had not given the letter to the Whitmores he's holding my father.””
Nora stepped closer.
“Chloe, we're going to get him back.””
I looked at the envelope in my hand.
My father had written that he had not given the letter to the Whitmores.
But now Richard knew about the watch.
He knew I was searching for the third door.
And he had called me personally.
Which meant he didn't merely want the documents.
He wanted me.
But now Richard knew about the watch.
He knew I was searching for the third door.
And he had called me personally.
Which meant he didn't merely want the documents.
He wanted me to understand that he was no longer afraid of being found.
I folded my father's letter and slipped it inside my jacket.
“Then let's stop looking for the key,” I said.
to understand that he was no longer afraid of being found.
I folded my father's letter and slipped it inside my jacket.
“Then let's stop looking for the key,” I said.
Nora frowned.
“What?””
May you like
I looked directly at her.
“Let's find the man who stole it.””
