Chapter 8: The Memory He Buried
The accusation hung in the night air.
Nobody spoke.
Not even Julian.
I watched my husband's face.
Shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
Not guilt.
At least, I wanted to believe that.
“You're lying,” Julian said.
Robert shook his head.
“I wish I was.””
Lucas stepped closer.
“Explain.””
Robert looked at him.
“You remember the collapse?””
“Pieces.””
“You remember Richard?””
“Yes.””
“You remember Julian being there?””
“Yes.””
Robert nodded.
“Then you remember the wrong part.””
My heart pounded.
“What does that mean?””
Robert looked at me.
“Grace, your father loved you.””
I hated that sentence.
Because it sounded like comfort.
And I didn't want comfort.
I wanted truth.
“What did Julian do?””
Robert looked away.
“When Thomas discovered the falsified reports, he threatened to expose Richard.””
“I know.””
“But Richard had something Thomas didn't know.””
“What?””
“Julian.””
Julian stepped forward.
“Stop saying my name like that.””
Robert looked at him sadly.
“You were eighteen.””
“I was a kid.””
“Yes.””
“Then why are you blaming me?””
“Because you were there.””
Julian's face tightened.
“I was there.””
The words sounded like they surprised him.
Robert continued.
“Your father was arguing with Thomas. You walked in.””
“Because I heard shouting.””
“Yes.””
“You said I threatened him.””
“I said you were there.””
Julian looked at the ground.
The confidence disappeared.
“What happened next?””
Robert hesitated.
Then:
“You took the documents.””
Julian looked up.
“What documents?””
“The inspection reports.””
“No.””
“You thought your father was destroying the company.””
“I wouldn't.””
“You confronted Richard.””
Julian shook his head.
“I don't remember.””
“I know.””
The words were quiet.
“I know you don't.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Why wouldn't he remember?””
Robert's expression changed.
“Because Richard made sure he wouldn't.””
Julian stared.
“What?””
Robert swallowed.
“After the collapse, your father found you unconscious near the site.””
Lucas's eyes widened.
“He was alive?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't he help him?””
Robert looked away.
“Because Richard cared more about protecting himself.””
Julian stepped backward.
“No.””
“You had a head injury. Your father moved you before the police arrived.””
“Why?””
“To make it look like you had nothing to do with it.””
I felt sick.
“My God.””
Robert continued.
“Richard told everyone you had been drinking. That you ran away after causing trouble.””
Julian touched his forehead.
“I was in the hospital.””
“Yes.””
“After my father put me there.””
“Yes.””
Julian closed his eyes.
Memories.
Fragments.
Pain.
A car crash.
A hospital room.
His father telling him:
You made a mistake. Forget it.
“I thought…”
He stopped.
“What?””
Julian looked at me.
“I thought I was the reason he hated me.””
Nobody spoke.
The pieces were falling into place.
Lucas stepped toward Robert.
“What about Thomas?””
Robert's face filled with regret.
“Thomas survived the collapse.””
My breath caught.
“We know.””
“But he was badly injured.””
“What happened?””
“He couldn't remember.””
Lucas froze.
Robert looked at him.
“You woke up with no identity because Richard had you removed from the site.””
“Removed?””
“He paid people to take you away.””
My fists clenched.
“Who?””
Robert looked at Lucas.
“David Shaw.””
The foreman.
“He found you alive.””
Lucas whispered, “He helped me?””
“No.””
Robert's voice became bitter.
“He helped Richard.””
A knock suddenly echoed from inside the house.
Everyone turned.
Robert looked terrified.
“I wasn't alone.””
Julian moved instantly.
“Who else is here?””
No answer.
Then the back door slammed.
Robert whispered:
“He found me.””
The lights inside the house went out.
Julian grabbed my hand.
“Stay close.””
A shadow moved behind the curtains.
Lucas stepped forward.
“Richard?””
The figure froze.
Then a voice answered.
Older.
Calm.
Familiar.
“You always were difficult to kill, Thomas.””
My blood turned cold.
Because Richard Mercer had been dead for seven years.
Julian whispered:
“That's impossible.””
The figure stepped into the doorway.
Gray hair.
Expensive coat.
A face I had only seen in old photographs.
Robert backed away.
“No.””
The man smiled.
“Hello, brother.””
May you like
And Lucas whispered the name that changed everything.
“David.””
