Chapter14
304 Words
CHAPTER 14 — THE SAFE
The old Eldridge mansion had been sealed after Julian’s arrest.
Clara walked through the front door with Alexander and Marcus behind her.
Every room seemed smaller than she remembered.
The portraits still hung along the walls.
Her father’s eyes followed them from every frame.
They entered the study.
Clara walked directly to the fireplace.
“My mother used to sit here.”
She touched the mantel.
“She always kept something behind it.”
Alexander searched the stonework.
Nothing.
Then Marcus noticed a small scratch beneath the mantel.
“Here.”
He pressed it.
A section of the wall clicked.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a small steel safe.
Clara stared at it.
“My mother never told me about this.”
Alexander examined the lock.
“Do you know the combination?”
Clara shook her head.
Then she remembered.
Her mother used to repeat one strange number whenever Clara asked about her birthday.
“Two-one-seven.”
Alexander entered the number.
The safe opened.
Inside was a single envelope.
No money.
No jewelry.
No documents.
Only a photograph.
Clara picked it up.
Her mother stood beside three men.
Her father.
Marcus Vance.
And another man Clara had never seen before.
On the back of the photograph were four words:
TRUST NO ONE.
Alexander looked closely.
“Do you recognize him?”
Marcus’s face had gone pale.
“Yes.”
Clara turned.
“Who?”
Marcus stared at the photograph.
“Richard Vale.”
“Who is Richard Vale?”
Marcus did not answer.
Alexander did.
“He was your father’s closest business partner.”
Clara looked at the photograph again.
“Where is he now?”
Marcus whispered:
“Dead.”
Alexander frowned.
“According to whom?”
Marcus looked at him.
“According to the family.”
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