Chapter 5: The Funeral House
The old house sat at the end of a dead-end road, surrounded by overgrown trees.
Marcus hadn't been there in eight years.
He had avoided it because every room reminded him of Evelyn.
The house had belonged to his mother.
After Evelyn's funeral, Vanessa convinced him to sell it.
But the sale never happened.
Marcus had never known why.
Now, as he stood outside the locked gate, he understood.
Someone had been keeping the property untouched.
Evelyn unlocked the front door.
Marcus stared at her.
“You still have the key?””
She nodded.
“I never gave it back.””
They entered.
Dust covered the furniture.
White sheets hung over the chairs.
The grandfather clock in the hallway had stopped at 2:17.
Marcus looked at it.
“That was the time of the accident.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“There was no accident.””
She walked toward the study.
Marcus followed.
Rose and Daniel stayed behind.
Evelyn stopped in front of an old fireplace.
“Your father hid things here.””
Marcus frowned.
“My father?””
“He knew Vanessa would eventually come looking.””
She reached behind a loose brick.
A small key fell into her hand.
Marcus stared.
“What does it open?””
“The floor.””
She knelt and lifted an old wooden panel.
Underneath was a steel safe.
Marcus's heart pounded.
“How did you know?””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Because your father told me.””
Marcus stared.
“When?””
“Six months before he died.””
“You met my father without telling me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because he suspected Vanessa.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Everyone knew except me.””
Evelyn's eyes softened.
“You trusted people.””
“And they used it against me.””
She reached toward him.
Marcus stepped back.
“I need the truth.””
“You're going to get it.””
He looked at the safe.
“What’s inside?””
“The reason Vanessa wanted me dead.””
Marcus entered the combination written on the key tag.
The lock clicked.
Inside were several envelopes.
One had his name on it.
*Marcus Hale.*
His hands shook as he opened it.
The letter was written in his father's handwriting.
> Marcus, > > If you're reading this, someone has already tried to control the truth.
Marcus stopped.
His breathing changed.
Evelyn watched him.
He continued.
> I don't trust Vanessa. > > I believe she has been using you. > > But the greatest danger isn't Vanessa herself. > > It's the person she answers to.
Marcus looked up.
“Who?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don't know.””
He kept reading.
> There is someone inside your company who has been moving money for years. > > I could not expose him without putting the family at risk. > > If something happens to me, protect Evelyn.
> > And protect Ava. > > The trust belongs to Ava when she turns eighteen.
Marcus lowered the letter.
His face was pale.
“There's more.””
He opened the second page.
> If Evelyn is ever forced to disappear, do not trust the death certificate. > > Look for Rose. > > She knows where the original evidence is hidden.
Marcus looked toward the doorway.
Rose stood there.
“You knew.””
Rose nodded.
“I promised your father.””
Marcus looked at the papers.
“Who was he talking about?””
Rose's eyes filled with fear.
Before she could answer, a floorboard creaked behind them.
Everyone turned.
Daniel was standing in the hallway.
His face was unreadable.
Marcus immediately noticed something.
Daniel wasn't looking at him.
He was looking at Rose.
Rose whispered, “You came back.””
Marcus frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel slowly reached into his coat.
Evelyn moved in front of Marcus.
“Don't.””
Daniel pulled out a photograph.
He placed it on the table.
Marcus looked down.
It showed Vanessa.
Standing beside her was Daniel.
Not recently.
Eight years ago.
Outside the same house.
Marcus looked at his attorney.
“You worked with her.””
Daniel didn't deny it.
“I did.””
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Marcus's voice was barely controlled.
“Why?””
Daniel finally looked at him.
“Because your father paid me to.””
Marcus stared.
“What?””
Daniel took a breath.
“Your father knew Vanessa was planning to steal the trust. He hired me to watch her.””
Marcus looked confused.
“Then why did you help her?””
“I didn't.””
“You just admitted you worked with her.””
“I worked undercover.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Then explain the forged signature.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“I didn't forge it.””
Marcus held up the document.
“It's your legal certification.””
Daniel looked at the page.
Then his face changed.
“That isn't my certification.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
Daniel pointed to the bottom.
“My license number is wrong.””
Evelyn stepped closer.
“So someone forged Daniel's certification too.””
Rose suddenly gasped.
“Vanessa.””
Marcus looked at her.
Rose shook her head.
“No.””
Her eyes widened.
“Not Vanessa.””
“Then who?””
Rose stared at Daniel.
“Her employer.””
The lights in the house suddenly went out.
A car engine roared outside.
Marcus rushed to the window.
A black SUV sped away from the property.
He could barely see the driver.
But someone in the back seat turned toward the window.
Marcus saw her face.
Vanessa.
And beside her sat Ava.
Marcus's blood turned cold.
“Ava!””
He ran toward the front door.
Evelyn grabbed him.
“Marcus, stop!””
He turned.
“My daughter is in that car!””
Evelyn's voice shook.
“Look again.””
Marcus stared through the glass.
The vehicle disappeared into the trees.
Evelyn whispered:
“That wasn't Ava.””
Marcus turned slowly.
“What?””
Evelyn pointed at the photograph still lying on the table.
“Because Ava is standing behind you.””
Marcus spun around.
Ava was indeed there.
Terrified.
Breathing hard.
She had no idea why everyone was staring at her.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Dad… Vanessa took someone else.””
