Chapter 4: The Woman in the Photograph
Naomi had spent eleven months trying to forget Philadelphia.
Now, standing outside Whitmore House, she was beginning to understand that Philadelphia had never really let her go.
Eleanor Whitmore was still standing behind the enormous ballroom windows. Her trembling fingers held the photograph against her chest. Even from the driveway, Naomi could see the fear in the older woman's eyes.
Not guilt.
Fear.
"Naomi?"" Ethan asked.
She turned toward him.
"I need you to do something for me.""
"Anything.""
"Take me to your grandmother's private sitting room. Don't tell your father.""
Ethan frowned.
"My grandmother?""
"Please.""
He glanced toward the mansion.
"What's happening?""
"I'll explain when I can.""
Ethan studied her face, then nodded.
"Come with me.""
He took her suitcase and led her through the side entrance.
Neither noticed the security camera above the doorway slowly turning to follow them.
Eleanor's private sitting room occupied the eastern wing of the mansion. Unlike the rest of Whitmore House, it wasn't decorated with expensive modern furniture or enormous paintings.
It was filled with books, family photographs, old furniture, and the faint smell of lavender.
Eleanor was waiting beside the fireplace.
She had changed into a dark blue cardigan. The photograph lay on the table.
"Close the door," she said.
Ethan obeyed.
"Grandmother, what's going on?""
Eleanor looked at Naomi.
"How much do you remember about Daniel Cross?""
Naomi swallowed.
"Everything.""
"Even the last conversation?""
Naomi's expression tightened.
"I remember him telling me to get the witness out of the building.""
"And what did you do?""
"I followed the instruction.""
Eleanor lowered herself into an armchair.
"No. You didn't.""
Naomi stared at her.
"What?""
Eleanor picked up the photograph.
"You were told to protect Daniel's client. But Daniel had changed the plan before you arrived.""
"That isn't possible. I received the revised assignment directly from my supervisor.""
"Your supervisor was working for Richard.""
The room became silent.
Ethan looked between them.
"Someone needs to explain what's happening.""
Naomi barely heard him.
"Mrs. Whitmore, how do you know about my assignment?""
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"Because I was the witness.""
Naomi took a step backward.
For eleven months, she had believed that the woman she had been assigned to protect had disappeared after the shooting.
Now that woman was sitting in front of her.
Alive.
Eleanor continued.
"Daniel discovered that Richard had been using Whitmore Holdings to move money through a network of shell companies. It involved government contracts, political donations, and several private investment funds.""
Ethan shook his head.
"My father runs legitimate businesses.""
Eleanor looked at him sadly.
"Your father runs many businesses, Ethan. You only know about the ones he allows you to see.""
She reached for the photograph.
"Daniel found documents proving that Richard had arranged for certain accounts to be emptied before an investigation could reach them. He also discovered that someone inside the company was helping him.""
Naomi's mind moved rapidly.
"Who?""
Eleanor looked toward the closed door.
"I don't know.""
"Then why did Daniel bring you to Philadelphia?""
"Because I had the original financial records. He believed I was the only person who could identify the accounts.""
Naomi remembered the night.
The hotel corridor.
The smell of gunpowder.
Daniel's hand gripping her sleeve.
His voice.
Get her out. Whatever happens, get her out.
Naomi had followed the instruction.
But she hadn't reached Eleanor.
A gunman had appeared near the emergency exit.
Daniel had pushed Naomi behind a concrete pillar.
Then came the gunshot.
Naomi remembered seeing Daniel fall.
She remembered returning fire.
She remembered blood on the floor.
And she remembered waking up in a hospital three days later.
"Why didn't you come forward?"" she whispered.
Eleanor looked down.
"Because Richard threatened Ethan.""
Ethan went pale.
"What?""
"He said that if I ever spoke to the authorities, he would make sure you paid for it.""
Ethan stood motionless.
"My father threatened you using me?""
Eleanor nodded.
"I believed I could protect you by staying silent.""
"By allowing him to run the company?""
"I thought I was buying time.""
Ethan let out a bitter laugh.
"How long?""
Eleanor looked at him.
"Long enough for you to grow up.""
He turned away.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the ticking of an antique clock.
Naomi stepped closer to Eleanor.
"Where are the original documents?""
Eleanor hesitated.
Then she reached into the pocket of her cardigan and removed a small brass key.
"Daniel gave me this before he died.""
Naomi recognized it immediately.
It was a key to a safety deposit box.
"Why didn't you give it to the police?""
"Because I discovered that someone had access to the investigation.""
Naomi took the key.
"Where is the box?""
"First Federal Bank. Downtown.""
Ethan stared at the key.
"What's inside?""
Eleanor's answer was quiet.
"The reason Richard wants Naomi gone.""
A sudden knock interrupted them.
"Mrs. Whitmore?""
It was the head housekeeper, Margaret Collins.
Eleanor straightened.
"Yes?""
"Mr. Whitmore is asking for Mr. Ethan in the study.""
Ethan glanced at Naomi.
"Tell him I'll be there shortly.""
A pause.
Then Margaret spoke again.
"He's aware that Miss Reyes has returned.""
Naomi looked toward the door.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"How?""
The housekeeper hesitated.
"Security informed him.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Tell my father I said five minutes.""
"Yes, sir.""
The footsteps faded.
Naomi slipped the brass key into her pocket.
"We need to leave.""
Ethan shook his head.
"No. I'm going to confront him.""
"That's exactly what he wants.""
"He can't keep threatening people.""
Naomi stepped in front of him.
"Your father knows where we are. He knows I came back. He may already know about the key.""
Eleanor reached for Ethan's hand.
"Listen to her.""
He looked at his grandmother.
"How long have you known?""
"Too long.""
"Why didn't you trust me?""
Eleanor's eyes filled.
"Because I was afraid you would become like him.""
Ethan looked wounded.
"I would never.""
"I know that now.""
Naomi checked her phone.
Three missed calls.
All from an unknown number.
Then a message appeared.
*You have something that belongs to us. Return it before midnight.*
Naomi showed Ethan.
He read it twice.
"Who sent this?""
"I don't know.""
A second message appeared.
This time, there was an attachment.
A photograph of Naomi's apartment building.
The message underneath contained four words.
*We found your home.*
Naomi's face went cold.
"They're not waiting until midnight.""
She turned to Eleanor.
"Is there another way out of the house?""
Eleanor nodded toward a narrow door behind the bookcase.
"An old service passage. It connects to the conservatory.""
Naomi looked at Ethan.
"Get your grandmother's coat. We're leaving.""
"Where?""
"Somewhere your father won't expect.""
But before Ethan could move, the door to the sitting room opened.
Richard Whitmore stood in the doorway.
His eyes moved from Eleanor to Ethan.
Then settled on Naomi.
"Well," he said softly.
"It appears we've gathered the entire family.""
His gaze dropped to Naomi's pocket.
"And I see you've found something that doesn't belong to you.""
Naomi didn't move.
Richard smiled.
"Give me the key, Miss Reyes.""
Eleanor stood.
"No, Richard.""
He looked at his mother.
For the first time, his polite expression disappeared.
"Mother, sit down.""
Eleanor lifted her chin.
"Not this time.""
Richard's eyes narrowed.
Then he said something that made Ethan step forward.
"Ask your grandmother what happened to your mother.""
The room went completely silent.
Ethan's voice was barely audible.
"What did you just say?""
Richard looked directly at his son.
"Your mother didn't die in an accident, Ethan.""
He paused.
May you like
"She died because she discovered the same thing Eleanor discovered.""
And with that, Richard closed the door behind him.
