Chapter 5: The Dead Man’s Face

Marcus couldn't speak.

The photograph shook between his fingers.

Daniel stood beside Vanessa outside a motel.

Alive.

Smiling.

Wearing the same leather jacket Marcus had buried him in.

Rachel took one look at the picture.

“That's him.””

Marcus stared at her.

“You knew?””

“No.””

“Then how—”

“Your mother showed me a different photograph.””

Rachel reached into the cabinet and pulled out another.

Same motel.

Same two people.

Different day.

Marcus sat on the basement step.

“No.””

Vanessa appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

“Marcus.””

He looked at her.

“Is Daniel alive?””

Her lips parted.

Nothing came out.

“Answer me.””

She closed her eyes.

Then whispered, “He was.””

Rachel stiffened.

Marcus stood.

“What does that mean?””

Vanessa wiped her face.

“Daniel came to me after the accident.””

“What accident?””

“The one that killed him.””

Marcus's breathing became uneven.

“The police said he died instantly.””

“He didn't.””

“Then why didn't you tell me?””

“Because he asked me not to.””

Marcus shook his head.

“You're lying.””

“I’m not.””

“Then why did you tell me he was dead?””

Daniel had been Marcus’s younger brother.

His best friend.

The person Marcus had called every Sunday.

Three years ago, he'd received the call that Daniel had died in a highway accident.

He had flown across the state.

He had identified the body.

Or what he believed was the body.

Rachel looked at him.

“Your mother never believed the story.””

Marcus turned.

“What story?””

Rachel pointed at the files.

“She believed Daniel staged his death.””

Vanessa whispered, “He did.””

Marcus stared at her.

“Why?””

Vanessa looked at the floor.

“Because he was afraid.””

“Of whom?””

She didn't answer.

Rachel did.

“Your father.””

Marcus frowned.

“My father died years ago.””

“Yes.””

“Then why would Daniel still be afraid of him?””

Rachel opened another file.

Inside were business records.

Transfers.

Shell companies.

Hidden accounts.

Marcus scanned the pages.

Then he saw his own signature.

He went cold.

“I didn't authorize these.””

“No,” Rachel said.

Someone else had.

Using his identity.

Vanessa took a shaky breath.

“Marcus, listen to me.””

He looked at her.

“I never wanted Noah hurt.””

“Then why blame him?””

“I needed you angry.””

His face hardened.

“For what?””

“So you'd stop looking at the accounts.””

The basement seemed to shrink around them.

Rachel whispered, “Why tonight?””

Vanessa closed her eyes.

“Because the house was being searched tomorrow.””

“By whom?””

Vanessa didn't answer.

Marcus stepped toward her.

“Who is coming here?””

A loud engine roared outside.

Headlights swept across the basement window.

Then another vehicle.

And another.

Rachel went upstairs.

Marcus followed.

Through the living-room curtains, he saw three black SUVs parked outside.

No police lights.

No uniforms.

Just men in dark coats getting out.

Rachel whispered one sentence.

“You have minutes.””

Marcus turned toward Noah.

Buddy was growling.

Vanessa stood perfectly still.

Then someone outside shouted:

“Vanessa! Bring us the phone!””

Marcus looked at her.

She looked terrified.

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