Chapter 8: Eleanor's Other Life
I couldn't speak.
The woman 8: Eleanor's Other Life
I couldn't speak.
The woman in the footage looked like Eleanor. The coat, the posture, the leather folder—everything matched.
Yet Eleanor was standing beside my hospital bed, staring at the screen as in the footage looked like Eleanor. The coat, the posture, the leather folder—everything matched.
Yet Eleanor was standing beside my hospital bed, staring at the screen as if she had just watched her own ghost walk through a door.
“That isn't me,” she whispered.
Peter didn't if she had just watched her own ghost walk through a door.
“That isn't me,” she whispered.
Peter didn't lower the tablet.
“Then we need to establish who it is.””
Eleanor stepped closer lower the tablet.
“Then we need to establish who it is.””
Eleanor stepped closer to the image.
“Look at the left hand.””
Peter enlarged the frame.
The figure's to the image.
“Look at the left hand.””
Peter enlarged the frame.
The figure's left hand was visible beneath the folder. A thin silver bracelet circled left hand was visible beneath the folder. A thin silver bracelet circled the wrist.
Eleanor held out her own arm.
“Mine is gold. I've worn the the wrist.
Eleanor held out her own arm.
“Mine is gold. I've worn the same gold bracelet for fifteen years.””
I looked at the image again.
She was right.
The same gold bracelet for fifteen years.””
I looked at the image again.
She was right.
The figure's bracelet was silver.
It was a small detail, but it mattered.
figure's bracelet was silver.
It was a small detail, but it mattered.
Peter called the investigator and requested a higher-resolution copy of the footage. He also asked the police to compare the figurePeter called the investigator and requested a higher-resolution copy of the footage. He also asked the police to compare the figure's height, gait, and clothing with the records they had gathered from the property.
Eleanor sat down.
's height, gait, and clothing with the records they had gathered from the property.
Eleanor sat down.
“I know who that is.””
I turned toward her.
“Who?””
She“I know who that is.””
I turned toward her.
“Who?””
She looked at me with an expression that was almost unbearable.
“My sister.””
I looked at me with an expression that was almost unbearable.
“My sister.””
I blinked.
“You have a sister?””
“Margaret. We haven't spoken in years.””
“Why?””
blinked.
“You have a sister?””
“Margaret. We haven't spoken in years.””
“Why?””
Eleanor's gaze drifted toward the window.
“Because she believed Richard had cheated her out of herEleanor's gaze drifted toward the window.
“Because she believed Richard had cheated her out of her share of the family business. She accused my husband of helping him hide the money.””
“And did he?””
“I share of the family business. She accused my husband of helping him hide the money.””
“And did he?””
“I don't know. Margaret left the family after a bitter dispute. She moved overseas and refused to attend either don't know.
Margaret left the family after a bitter dispute. She moved overseas and refused to attend either of our parents' funerals.””
I thought about the photograph.
The person in the cellar had been carrying a of our parents' funerals.””
I thought about the photograph.
The person in the cellar had been carrying a leather folder, just as Eleanor had when she arrived at the hotel.
“Does your sister know about my father?””
“She knew leather folder, just as Eleanor had when she arrived at the hotel.
“Does your sister know about my father?””
“She knew Thomas. She was working in the family office when he discovered the missing funds.””
“ Thomas. She was working in the family office when he discovered the missing funds.””
“Could she have taken my mother?””
Eleanor's face tightened.
“I don't know what she'sCould she have taken my mother?””
Eleanor's face tightened.
“I don't know what she's capable of anymore.””
Peter interrupted.
“We need to be careful. The footage is not sufficient to establish identity. But if Margaret has access capable of anymore.””
Peter interrupted.
“We need to be careful. The footage is not sufficient to establish identity. But if Margaret has access to the property, we need to find her.””
He made another call.
The police began to the property, we need to find her.””
He made another call.
The police began tracing Margaret's recent movements through available records. Eleanor provided the names of people tracing Margaret's recent movements through available records. Eleanor provided the names of people who might know where her sister had been staying.
I listened who might know where her sister had been staying.
I listened, trying to make sense of the family I had married into.
Every time I thought we had reached the, trying to make sense of the family I had married into.
Every time I thought we had reached the center of the conspiracy, another door opened.
My father's death.
The forged agreement.
The missing ledger.
center of the conspiracy, another door opened.
My father's death.
The forged agreement.
The missing ledger.
The second phone.
My mother's disappearance.
And now a woman who looked like Eleanor had apparently entered the property where my mother might haveThe second phone.
My mother's disappearance.
And now a woman who looked like Eleanor had apparently entered the property where my mother might have been held.
I turned toward my mother-in-law.
“Why didn't you ever tell been held.
I turned toward my mother-in-law.
“Why didn't you ever tell me about Margaret?””
“Because she was estranged from the family before you met me about Margaret?””
“Because she was estranged from the family before you met Marcus. I didn't want to involve you in a feud that had nothing to do with your marriage.””
“Nothing Marcus. I didn't want to involve you in a feud that had nothing to do with your marriage.””
“Nothing to do with my marriage?”” I repeated.
“Your family has been connected to my father's death for twenty-eight years.””
to do with my marriage?”” I repeated.
“Your family has been connected to my father's death for twenty-eight years.””
Eleanor lowered her head.
“You're right.””
I was beginningEleanor lowered her head.
“You're right.””
I was beginning to understand that the words I'm sorry could be both sincere and completely inadequate.
Peter to understand that the words I'm sorry could be both sincere and completely inadequate.
Peter's phone rang.
He listened, then asked, “Are you certain?””
A pause.
“Send's phone rang.
He listened, then asked, “Are you certain?””
A pause.
“Send the photograph.””
He ended the call.
“Margaret Hale has been staying at a private residence outside the the photograph.””
He ended the call.
“Margaret Hale has been staying at a private residence outside the city. The owner says she left yesterday morning and hasn't returned.””
“Can the city. The owner says she left yesterday morning and hasn't returned.””
“Can the police find her?”” I asked.
“They're trying. There's no evidence police find her?”” I asked.
“They're trying. There's no evidence yet that she committed a crime.””
“Then what about my mother?””
Peter looked at me.
“The police are searching every property yet that she committed a crime.””
“Then what about my mother?””
Peter looked at me.
“The police are searching every property associated with the security company. They believe the room beneath the house was used to hold someone temporarily associated with the security company. They believe the room beneath the house was used to hold someone temporarily, but they haven't established who.””
I gripped my phone, but they haven't established who.””
I gripped my phone.
I wanted to call Marcus.
I wanted to demand answers.
But I knew he.
I wanted to call Marcus.
I wanted to demand answers.
But I knew he would use my fear against me.
So I did something I hadn't done would use my fear against me.
So I did something I hadn't done in three years of marriage.
I stopped trying to convince him to tell me the truth.
in three years of marriage.
I stopped trying to convince him to tell me the truth.
Instead, I asked Peter to arrange a formal interview with Marcus through the police, with independent legal representation presentInstead, I asked Peter to arrange a formal interview with Marcus through the police, with independent legal representation present.
“I want him to explain the documents,” I said.
“I want him to explain the ring..
“I want him to explain the documents,” I said.
“I want him to explain the ring. And I want him to explain why someone used a phone bearing Eleanor's name to threaten me.””
Peter nodded.
And I want him to explain why someone used a phone bearing Eleanor's name to threaten me.””
Peter nodded.
“I'll pass that request to the investigator.””
Eleanor looked at me.
“Claire“I'll pass that request to the investigator.””
Eleanor looked at me.
“Claire, I need you to know that if Margaret is involved, she may have her own reasons for wanting the original, I need you to know that if Margaret is involved, she may have her own reasons for wanting the original documents.””
“Money?””
“Possibly. Or revenge.””
“Against you?””
“Against all documents.””
“Money?””
“Possibly. Or revenge.””
“Against you?””
“Against all of us.””
I thought of my father.
Perhaps Margaret had believed he of us.””
I thought of my father.
Perhaps Margaret had believed he was the only person who could expose Richard. Perhaps she had tried to recover the evidence after was the only person who could expose Richard. Perhaps she had tried to recover the evidence after he died.
Perhaps she had spent twenty-eight years watching the family continue to prosper while the man who he died. Perhaps she had spent twenty-eight years watching the family continue to prosper while the man who had uncovered the truth lay in an unmarked section of a cemetery.
But none of those possibilities had uncovered the truth lay in an unmarked section of a cemetery.
But none of those possibilities justified taking my mother.
A nurse entered to check my monitor again justified taking my mother.
A nurse entered to check my monitor again.
The doctor had decided to keep me under observation overnight. The baby remained stable.
The doctor had decided to keep me under observation overnight. The baby remained stable, and I was grateful for every reassuring beat.
When the nurse left, Peter received, and I was grateful for every reassuring beat.
When the nurse left, Peter received another message.
He read it carefully.
“There's a development.””
I sat upright another message.
He read it carefully.
“There's a development.””
I sat upright.
“What?””
“The forensic team has recovered part of the deleted voice message from the second phone.””
“Play it.
“What?””
“The forensic team has recovered part of the deleted voice message from the second phone.””
“Play it.””
Peter hesitated.
“It's incomplete.””
“Play it anyway.””
He.””
Peter hesitated.
“It's incomplete.””
“Play it anyway.””
He pressed the audio file.
A woman's voice emerged through the speaker.
“...the pressed the audio file.
A woman's voice emerged through the speaker.
“...the agreement must be signed before the trust meeting. If Claire refuses, use her mother agreement must be signed before the trust meeting. If Claire refuses, use her mother. Eleanor must never see the final page.””
The recording crackled.
Then another voice spoke.
A man's voice.
Marcus. Eleanor must never see the final page.””
The recording crackled.
Then another voice spoke.
A man's voice.
Marcus.
“Fine. But if anything happens to the baby, this is over.””
The.
“Fine. But if anything happens to the baby, this is over.””
The recording ended.
I stared at the phone.
Marcus had known my mother might be used to force me into recording ended.
I stared at the phone.
Marcus had known my mother might be used to force me into signing the agreement. He had discussed the possibility of harm to our child.
But the woman's signing the agreement. He had discussed the possibility of harm to our child.
But the woman's voice had given the instructions.
I recognized it.
I had heard it in the hotel lobby when Vivian told voice had given the instructions.
I recognized it.
I had heard it in the hotel lobby when Vivian told me I was an embarrassing secret.
I looked at Peter.
“That was Vivian.””
He nodded.
“The forensic team believes so me I was an embarrassing secret.
I looked at Peter.
“That was Vivian.””
He nodded.
“The forensic team believes so, but the audio will need authentication.””
Eleanor rose abruptly.
“Where is she?””
“Viv, but the audio will need authentication.””
Eleanor rose abruptly.
“Where is she?””
“Vivian was interviewed after the hotel incident. She's not currently inian was interviewed after the hotel incident. She's not currently in custody, but the police have been informed about the recovered recording.””
“Then find her.””
Peter made the custody, but the police have been informed about the recovered recording.””
“Then find her.””
Peter made the call.
Within minutes, the police had located Vivian at a private apartment registered to one call.
Within minutes, the police had located Vivian at a private apartment registered to one of Marcus's business associates.
She wasn't there.
But officers found a suitcase packed of Marcus's business associates.
She wasn't there.
But officers found a suitcase packed with clothing, a passport, and a folder containing printed emails between Vivian and an account associated with clothing, a passport, and a folder containing printed emails between Vivian and an account associated with Margaret Hale.
I stared at Eleanor.
“Your sister and Vivian were working together?””
“It with Margaret Hale.
I stared at Eleanor.
“Your sister and Vivian were working together?””
“It appears they may have been communicating.””
“Why?””
Eleanor looked at the documents.
“Margaret believed she appears they may have been communicating.””
“Why?””
Eleanor looked at the documents.
“Margaret believed she had been cheated out of money that belonged to her. Vivian may have promised to help her recover it had been cheated out of money that belonged to her. Vivian may have promised to help her recover it.””
“And Marcus?””
“Marcus may have promised Vivian access to the same money.””
I shook my head.
“They.””
“And Marcus?””
“Marcus may have promised Vivian access to the same money.””
I shook my head.
“They were all trying to get something from the trust.””
Peter nodded.
“The evidence suggests a financial motive, were all trying to get something from the trust.””
Peter nodded.
“The evidence suggests a financial motive, but we still need to determine who planned the abduction and who carried it out.””
I looked down at my stomach but we still need to determine who planned the abduction and who carried it out.””
I looked down at my stomach.
The baby moved.
I placed my hand over the small flutter and closed my eyes.
.
The baby moved.
I placed my hand over the small flutter and closed my eyes.
I couldn't let this family turn my child into a bargaining chip.
I wouldn't.
A few minutes later, Peter receivedI couldn't let this family turn my child into a bargaining chip.
I wouldn't.
A few minutes later, Peter received a call from the police investigator.
He listened, then looked at Eleanor.
“Margaret has been located.””
“Where?””
“At a private clinic outside the city. a call from the police investigator.
He listened, then looked at Eleanor.
“Margaret has been located.””
“Where?””
“At a private clinic outside the city. She checked in under another name.””
“Is she being arrested?””
“Not at this point. The She checked in under another name.””
“Is she being arrested?””
“Not at this point. The police want to interview her.””
I leaned forward.
“Does she know where my mother police want to interview her.””
I leaned forward.
“Does she know where my mother is?””
Peter listened to the investigator again.
Then his face changed.
“Apparently, she claims is?””
Peter listened to the investigator again.
Then his face changed.
“Apparently, she claims she does.””
My heart began to race.
“What did she say?””
Peter repeated the words carefully.
“Margaret says Claire she does.””
My heart began to race.
“What did she say?””
Peter repeated the words carefully.
“Margaret says Claire's mother was moved from the Westchester property before the police arrived. She claims the person who arranged the transfer was's mother was moved from the Westchester property before the police arrived. She claims the person who arranged the transfer was someone she trusted.””
“Who?””
Peter looked at the screen.
“Margaret refuses to identify the person until someone she trusted.””
“Who?””
Peter looked at the screen.
“Margaret refuses to identify the person until she speaks directly with Eleanor.””
Eleanor's face went white.
“Tell her I'll speak with she speaks directly with Eleanor.””
Eleanor's face went white.
“Tell her I'll speak with her.””
Peter shook his head.
“The police will arrange the interview. You're not going anywhere without their approval.””
Eleanor looked at me.
her.””
Peter shook his head.
“The police will arrange the interview. You're not going anywhere without their approval.””
Eleanor looked at me.
“If Margaret knows where your mother is, I'll answer every question she asks.””
I wanted to“If Margaret knows where your mother is, I'll answer every question she asks.””
I wanted to believe that.
But I had begun to understand that the truth in the Hale family always came with a price believe that.
But I had begun to understand that the truth in the Hale family always came with a price.
The interview was arranged for the following morning, with police present and an independent attorney available.
The interview was arranged for the following morning, with police present and an independent attorney available to Eleanor.
Before Peter left, he gave me one final update.
“The police have to Eleanor.
Before Peter left, he gave me one final update.
“The police have identified the owner of the second phone.””
“Who?””
“A company controlled by a trust administrator identified the owner of the second phone.””
“Who?””
“A company controlled by a trust administrator who worked with Margaret years ago.””
“Does that prove Margaret who worked with Margaret years ago.””
“Does that prove Margaret was involved?””
“No. It proves the phone's ownership. We still need to establish who used it was involved?””
“No. It proves the phone's ownership. We still need to establish who used it.””
I nodded.
For once, I was grateful for his caution.
When the room finally quieted,.””
I nodded.
For once, I was grateful for his caution.
When the room finally quieted, Eleanor sat beside my bed.
“I know you don't trust me,” she said.
“I Eleanor sat beside my bed.
“I know you don't trust me,” she said.
“I don't know what I believe anymore.””
“That's fair.””
She looked down at her hands.
“Margaret and I were close when we were young. After our don't know what I believe anymore.””
“That's fair.””
She looked down at her hands.
“Margaret and I were close when we were young. After our father died, she accused me of choosing my husband's family over my own. I told her she was being unreasonable.
father died, she accused me of choosing my husband's family over my own. I told her she was being unreasonable. We argued, and she left.””
“Was she right?””
Eleanor took a long breath.
“Perhaps I We argued, and she left.””
“Was she right?””
Eleanor took a long breath.
“Perhaps I did choose the family business too often. I thought I was protecting did choose the family business too often. I thought I was protecting Marcus. I thought I was protecting my husband.
I never considered that my silence might hurt someone Marcus. I thought I was protecting my husband. I never considered that my silence might hurt someone outside our family.””
I looked at her.
“Silence always hurts someone. It just isn't outside our family.””
I looked at her.
“Silence always hurts someone. It just isn't always the person keeping it.””
She nodded, accepting the blow.
Then my phone vibrated.
always the person keeping it.””
She nodded, accepting the blow.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
**Your mother is alive. Margaret will tell you where sheA message from an unknown number.
*Your mother is alive. Margaret will tell you where she is, but only if Eleanor confesses what she did the night Thomas died.*
I stared at the screen is, but only if Eleanor confesses what she did the night Thomas died.**
I stared at the screen.
Eleanor read the message over my shoulder.
Her face crumpled.
“What did you do that.
Eleanor read the message over my shoulder.
Her face crumpled.
“What did you do that night?”” I asked.
She covered her mouth.
For a long time, she couldn't speak.
Finally, she whispered, “I drove night?”” I asked.
She covered her mouth.
For a long time, she couldn't speak.
Finally, she whispered, “I drove to the place where your father died.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why?””
“ to the place where your father died.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why?””
“Because I saw the car that followed him. I saw the driver.””
“Who was it?””
Eleanor looked at me through tears.
“MargaretBecause I saw the car that followed him. I saw the driver.””
“Who was it?””
May you like
Eleanor looked at me through tears.
“Margaret.””
