Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Name on the Second Phone
For several: The Name on the Second Phone
For several seconds, I couldn't look at Eleanor.
Her seconds, I couldn't look at Eleanor.
Her name glowed on Peter Lawson's name glowed on Peter Lawson's screen beneath a message about my missing mother, and every explanation I had been given since screen beneath a message about my missing mother, and every explanation I had been given since arriving at the Oakmont seemed to collapse at once.
*The mother is secured. The daughter will sign.*
I read arriving at the Oakmont seemed to collapse at once.
*The mother is secured. The daughter will sign.*
I read the words again.
Then I looked at the woman who had promised to protect me.
“Tell the words again.
Then I looked at the woman who had promised to protect me.
“Tell me that isn't your number.””
Eleanor stared at the photograph.
“I've never seen that phone me that isn't your number.””
Eleanor stared at the photograph.
“I've never seen that phone before.””
“That's not what I asked.””
She swallowed.
“Claire before.””
“That's not what I asked.””
She swallowed.
“Claire, I swear to you, I have never arranged for your mother to, I swear to you, I have never arranged for your mother to be taken anywhere.””
Peter enlarged the image and studied the contact information.
“The displayed name isn't proof that Eleanor sent the message,” he said.
“Anyone can save be taken anywhere.””
Peter enlarged the image and studied the contact information.
“The displayed name isn't proof that Eleanor sent the message,” he said.
“Anyone can save a contact under any name. We need the device, the account records, and the actual message history a contact under any name. We need the device, the account records, and the actual message history.””
I wanted to believe him.
But I had already spent too many years trusting people because they.””
I wanted to believe him.
But I had already spent too many years trusting people because they sounded convincing.
“Then let's find out,” I said.
Peter called the sounded convincing.
“Then let's find out,” I said.
Peter called the police investigator handling Marcus's arrest. The officer confirmed that Marcus had been detained at the Westchester police investigator handling Marcus's arrest. The officer confirmed that Marcus had been detained at the Westchester property, but he had not been charged with kidnapping.
The officers had found the phone beneath property, but he had not been charged with kidnapping. The officers had found the phone beneath the desk, along with my mother's ring and several documents connected to the family trust.
They had found no sign of my mother.
“Did Marcus explain the ring?”” I asked.
Peter the desk, along with my mother's ring and several documents connected to the family trust.
They had found no sign of my mother.
“Did Marcus explain the ring?”” I asked.
Peter relayed the question.
The officer's answer came through the speaker.
“Mr. Hale claims his relayed the question.
The officer's answer came through the speaker.
“Mr. Hale claims his wife left it at the property earlier today.””
My blood ran cold.
“I'm wife left it at the property earlier today.””
My blood ran cold.
“I'm not his wife anymore,” I said automatically, then corrected myself.
“And my mother not his wife anymore,” I said automatically, then corrected myself.
“And my mother wouldn't leave that ring behind.””
Peter nodded.
“Did he explain the second wouldn't leave that ring behind.””
Peter nodded.
“Did he explain the second phone?””
“He refused to answer questions until his attorney arrived.””
Of course phone?””
“He refused to answer questions until his attorney arrived.””
Of course he had.
Marcus had always known how to turn silence into a weapon.
When we were he had.
Marcus had always known how to turn silence into a weapon.
When we were dating, he could leave a disagreement unresolved for hours, knowing I would eventually apologize simply to restore dating, he could leave a disagreement unresolved for hours, knowing I would eventually apologize simply to restore the peace. When he became angry, he never needed to shout. He only had the peace.
When he became angry, he never needed to shout. He only had to withdraw his affection until I began questioning my own memory.
Now my mother was missing, and he to withdraw his affection until I began questioning my own memory.
Now my mother was missing, and he was doing it again.
Only this time, I wouldn't beg him to talk.
was doing it again.
Only this time, I wouldn't beg him to talk.
“Tell the police I want the phone preserved as evidence,” I said“Tell the police I want the phone preserved as evidence,” I said.
“And I want every message associated with it investigated, regardless of whose name.
“And I want every message associated with it investigated, regardless of whose name appears in the contact list.””
Peter relayed my request.
Then he turned toward Eleanor.
“We need to establish appears in the contact list.””
Peter relayed my request.
Then he turned toward Eleanor.
“We need to establish where you were when these messages were sent.””
She nodded immediately.
“My where you were when these messages were sent.””
She nodded immediately.
“My driver brought me to the hotel. The hotel's cameras will show when I arrived. Before that, I was driver brought me to the hotel.
The hotel's cameras will show when I arrived. Before that, I was at home with my housekeeper.””
“Can she confirm that?””
“Yes.””
at home with my housekeeper.””
“Can she confirm that?””
“Yes.””
“Good. We'll need the footage and a formal statement.””
Eleanor looked at me.
“You think“Good. We'll need the footage and a formal statement.””
Eleanor looked at me.
“You think I could have arranged this?””
I didn't answer immediately.
“I think someone wants me to believe you did. And I I could have arranged this?””
I didn't answer immediately.
“I think someone wants me to believe you did. And I think you've kept enough secrets from me that I can't simply take your word for it.””
Pain think you've kept enough secrets from me that I can't simply take your word for it.””
Pain crossed her face.
“You're right.””
She didn't defend herself.
That was the first thing she crossed her face.
“You're right.””
She didn't defend herself.
That was the first thing she had done all afternoon that made me consider trusting her again.
My doctor entered to check the had done all afternoon that made me consider trusting her again.
My doctor entered to check the fetal monitor and examine me. The baby's heartbeat remained reassuring, but he fetal monitor and examine me. The baby's heartbeat remained reassuring, but he reminded me that stress and physical strain were reasons to continue resting rather than rushing reminded me that stress and physical strain were reasons to continue resting rather than rushing around trying to solve a dangerous situation.
I hated being confined to the bed.
But when around trying to solve a dangerous situation.
I hated being confined to the bed.
But when my child moved beneath my hand, I forced myself to remain still.
I could fight for my mother without my child moved beneath my hand, I forced myself to remain still.
I could fight for my mother without putting the baby at greater risk.
Peter stepped into the corridor to speak with the police, leaving Eleanor putting the baby at greater risk.
Peter stepped into the corridor to speak with the police, leaving Eleanor and me alone.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Finally, she opened the leather folder and removed the old letter from and me alone.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Finally, she opened the leather folder and removed the old letter from my father.
“I need to tell you something else.””
I looked at her warily.
“What now my father.
“I need to tell you something else.””
I looked at her warily.
“What now?””
“Richard didn't simply keep a confession. He made several versions of it.””
I sat?””
“Richard didn't simply keep a confession. He made several versions of it.””
I sat up slightly.
“Why?””
“Because he was afraid the original might be lost. He kept up slightly.
“Why?””
“Because he was afraid the original might be lost. He kept copies in different places, including the Westchester property.””
“Then the police may have found them.””
“Perhaps copies in different places, including the Westchester property.””
“Then the police may have found them.””
“Perhaps. But there was one document my husband never recovered.””
“What was it?””
Eleanor took. But there was one document my husband never recovered.””
“What was it?””
Eleanor took a breath.
“A ledger that linked the money Richard stole to the people who helped him conceal a breath.
“A ledger that linked the money Richard stole to the people who helped him conceal it.””
I stared at her.
“Daniel said my father had records.””
“He did it.””
I stared at her.
“Daniel said my father had records.””
“He did. But Richard kept a separate ledger that recorded the payments he made to intermediaries. But Richard kept a separate ledger that recorded the payments he made to intermediaries. It included dates, account numbers, and initials.””
“Could it prove who followed. It included dates, account numbers, and initials.””
“Could it prove who followed my father?””
“It could help establish who paid for the security operation. It might also reveal who knew my father?””
“It could help establish who paid for the security operation. It might also reveal who knew what was going to happen that night.””
I thought of the second phone.
The message about my mother being secured.
The what was going to happen that night.””
I thought of the second phone.
The message about my mother being secured.
The demand that I sign an agreement.
“What does the agreement say?””
Eleanor hesitated.
“I demand that I sign an agreement.
“What does the agreement say?””
Eleanor hesitated.
“I haven't seen the original, but based on the draft Daniel recovered, it would have haven't seen the original, but based on the draft Daniel recovered, it would have transferred certain rights connected with the trust and released several parties transferred certain rights connected with the trust and released several parties from potential claims.””
“Including claims related to my father's death?””
“Possibly. We need to see from potential claims.””
“Including claims related to my father's death?””
“Possibly. We need to see the complete document.””
I stared at the ceiling.
So this was bigger than money.
Someone wanted my the complete document.””
I stared at the ceiling.
So this was bigger than money.
Someone wanted my signature on a document that might silence the people connected to my father's death. Someone had taken my mother to force me to sign it. signature on a document that might silence the people connected to my father's death.
Someone had taken my mother to force me to sign it. And someone was using Eleanor's name to make me distrust the one person who had openly And someone was using Eleanor's name to make me distrust the one person who had openly challenged Marcus.
“Who knew about the original confession?”” I asked.
“Richard challenged Marcus.
“Who knew about the original confession?”” I asked.
“Richard, my husband, Daniel, and possibly the person who recovered the files after Richard died.””
“And Marcus?””
“I don't know.””
I turned toward, my husband, Daniel, and possibly the person who recovered the files after Richard died.””
“And Marcus?””
“I don't know.””
I turned toward her.
“Did your husband leave anything to Marcus that might explain why he's so desperate to control the trust?””
Eleanor lowered her.
“Did your husband leave anything to Marcus that might explain why he's so desperate to control the trust?””
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
“After Richard died, my husband discovered that the company was in worse financial condition than her eyes.
“After Richard died, my husband discovered that the company was in worse financial condition than anyone realized. He spent years repairing the damage. He also created additional safeguards anyone realized.
He spent years repairing the damage. He also created additional safeguards within the family trust.””
“Why?””
“To prevent anyone from using the family's wealth without within the family trust.””
“Why?””
“To prevent anyone from using the family's wealth without proper oversight.””
“And our baby?””
“Your child was included among the potential beneficiaries proper oversight.””
“And our baby?””
“Your child was included among the potential beneficiaries under those safeguards.””
I pressed a hand against my stomach.
“Which means under those safeguards.””
I pressed a hand against my stomach.
“Which means Marcus can't access the money unless the child's rights are changed.””
Marcus can't access the money unless the child's rights are changed.””
“Not without satisfying the trust's conditions, no.””
“And the agreement“Not without satisfying the trust's conditions, no.””
“And the agreement would have helped him do that?””
“It appears so.””
The would have helped him do that?””
“It appears so.””
The door opened.
Peter returned with a printed report.
“The police have begun tracing the second phone. It door opened.
Peter returned with a printed report.
“The police have begun tracing the second phone. It was activated six weeks ago and purchased through an account associated with a private security company was activated six weeks ago and purchased through an account associated with a private security company.””
“Which company?”” Eleanor asked.
Peter gave her the name.
Her face changed.
“I know them.””
“Which company?”” Eleanor asked.
Peter gave her the name.
Her face changed.
“I know them.””
“So do I,” he replied.
“They provided security for Richard's business years.””
“So do I,” he replied.
“They provided security for Richard's business years ago. Their current director has a connection to Marcus's company.””
I looked between ago. Their current director has a connection to Marcus's company.””
I looked between them.
“Can they find the person who used the phone?””
“The police them.
“Can they find the person who used the phone?””
“The police are working on it,” Peter said.
“But there's something else. The device contains a deleted voice message are working on it,” Peter said.
“But there's something else. The device contains a deleted voice message that forensic specialists may be that forensic specialists may be able to recover.””
“From whom?””
“We don't know yet.””
My phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the unknown able to recover.””
“From whom?””
“We don't know yet.””
My phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the unknown number.
This time, there was no photograph.
Only a sentence.
**Eleanor knows where your number.
This time, there was no photograph.
Only a sentence.
*Eleanor knows where your mother is. Ask her about the room beneath the old house.*
I thrust the mother is. Ask her about the room beneath the old house.**
I thrust the phone toward Eleanor.
She read it.
The blood drained from her face.
“What phone toward Eleanor.
She read it.
The blood drained from her face.
“What room?”” I demanded.
She didn't answer.
“Eleanor!””
She sat down slowly.
“There room?”” I demanded.
She didn't answer.
“Eleanor!””
She sat down slowly.
“There is a cellar beneath the Westchester property.””
“Is that what is a cellar beneath the Westchester property.””
“Is that what they mean?””
“I don't know. It was built decades ago to store business records. It has they mean?””
“I don't know. It was built decades ago to store business records. It has a separate entrance from the garden, but I haven't been there in years.””
“Could a separate entrance from the garden, but I haven't been there in years.””
“Could someone be holding my mother there?””
“It's possible.””
I felt someone be holding my mother there?””
“It's possible.””
I felt a terrible pressure in my chest.
“Why didn't you tell the police about it?””
“I a terrible pressure in my chest.
“Why didn't you tell the police about it?””
“I didn't think it was relevant. The property has been largely unused since Richard died.””
Peter didn't think it was relevant. The property has been largely unused since Richard died.””
Peter was already calling the investigator.
Within minutes, the police confirmed that a search team had was already calling the investigator.
Within minutes, the police confirmed that a search team had returned to the property and was examining the cellar.
I clutched the blanket, returned to the property and was examining the cellar.
I clutched the blanket, listening as Peter relayed instructions.
Then he went silent.
His listening as Peter relayed instructions.
Then he went silent.
His expression changed.
“What is it?”” I demanded.
He ended the call and expression changed.
“What is it?”” I demanded.
He ended the call and looked at me.
“They found a locked door beneath the main staircase.””
“ looked at me.
“They found a locked door beneath the main staircase.””
“Is my mother there?””
“They haven't opened it yet.””
“Then open it!””
“They're obtaining theIs my mother there?””
“They haven't opened it yet.””
“Then open it!””
“They're obtaining the equipment they need.””
I could barely breathe.
The door opened.
A nurse hurried in, equipment they need.””
I could barely breathe.
The door opened.
A nurse hurried in, alarmed by the change in my monitor.
She checked my pulse, asked me to take slow alarmed by the change in my monitor.
She checked my pulse, asked me to take slow breaths, and reminded me that I needed to remain calm for the baby's sake.
I forced myself to focus on her voice breaths, and reminded me that I needed to remain calm for the baby's sake.
I forced myself to focus on her voice.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Then Peter's phone rang again.
He.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Then Peter's phone rang again.
He answered.
“Yes?””
He listened.
His eyes widened.
“Is she conscious answered.
“Yes?””
He listened.
His eyes widened.
“Is she conscious?””
I gripped the bedrail.
“Peter?””
He turned toward me.
“They've?””
I gripped the bedrail.
“Peter?””
He turned toward me.
“They've opened the room.””
My heart pounded.
“Is my mother inside?””
Peter swallowed.
“No.””
The world seemed to fall opened the room.””
My heart pounded.
“Is my mother inside?””
Peter swallowed.
“No.””
The world seemed to fall away.
“They found a chair, restraints, and a bloodstained cloth. But your mother isn't there.””
I away.
“They found a chair, restraints, and a bloodstained cloth. But your mother isn't there.””
I covered my mouth.
Then he added, “They also found a wall safe containing the covered my mouth.
Then he added, “They also found a wall safe containing the original agreement.””
“Can they open it?””
“They already have.””
He original agreement.””
“Can they open it?””
“They already have.””
He placed the phone on the bedside table and showed me a photograph sent by the investigator.
placed the phone on the bedside table and showed me a photograph sent by the investigator.
Inside the safe was a thick document bearing my father's signature.
Beneath it lay a second sheet with a handwritten note.
Inside the safe was a thick document bearing my father's signature.
Beneath it lay a second sheet with a handwritten note.
The note was short.
**If Claire is being forced to sign, the person responsibleThe note was short.
*If Claire is being forced to sign, the person responsible is not acting alone. Look at the final page.*
Peter enlarged the photograph.
The final page contained a is not acting alone. Look at the final page.**
Peter enlarged the photograph.
The final page contained a list of names.
Richard Hale.
Daniel Mercer.
And one name that made Eleanor stagger backward.
Her list of names.
Richard Hale.
Daniel Mercer.
And one name that made Eleanor stagger backward.
Her own.
She stared at the screen, her lips trembling.
“That isn't possible.””
I looked own.
She stared at the screen, her lips trembling.
“That isn't possible.””
I looked at her.
“What did you do?””
She shook her head violently.
“Claire, I swear to you, I never signed at her.
“What did you do?””
She shook her head violently.
“Claire, I swear to you, I never signed this document.””
Peter examined the image.
“The signature may be forged. We won't know until it is this document.””
Peter examined the image.
“The signature may be forged. We won't know until it is examined.””
But I couldn't stop staring at Eleanor's name.
For the first time, I wondered whether the woman examined.””
But I couldn't stop staring at Eleanor's name.
For the first time, I wondered whether the woman who had promised to protect me had been protecting herself all along.
Then Peter received who had promised to protect me had been protecting herself all along.
Then Peter received another call.
He listened, his expression growing grim.
“The police have recovered footage from the house's exterior camera,” another call.
He listened, his expression growing grim.
“The police have recovered footage from the house's exterior camera,” he said.
“Does it show my mother?””
“No.””
“Then he said.
“Does it show my mother?””
“No.””
“Then what does it show?””
He looked at Eleanor.
“It shows someone entering the property through the cellar entrance what does it show?””
He looked at Eleanor.
“It shows someone entering the property through the cellar entrance less than an hour before Marcus arrived.””
“Who?””
Peter hesitated.
Then he turned the screen less than an hour before Marcus arrived.””
“Who?””
Peter hesitated.
Then he turned the screen toward me.
The figure wore a dark coat and carried a leather folder.
The face was partially visible beneath toward me.
The figure wore a dark coat and carried a leather folder.
The face was partially visible beneath the brim of a hat.
But I recognized the posture.
The distinctive tilt of the head.
The way the person held the the brim of a hat.
But I recognized the posture.
The distinctive tilt of the head.
The way the person held the folder against the left side of the body.
I had seen that person only once before that day.
At the Oakmont Luxury folder against the left side of the body.
I had seen that person only once before that day.
At the Oakmont Luxury Hotel.
When my mother-in-law arrived carrying the folder that supposedly contained the truth.
Eleanor whispered Hotel.
When my mother-in-law arrived carrying the folder that supposedly contained the truth.
Eleanor whispered, “No.””
Peter looked directly at her.
“The person entering the cellar appears to be you.””
## Chapter, “No.””
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Peter looked directly at her.
“The person entering the cellar appears to be you.””
