CHAPTER 32: A NAME FROM THE PAST
715 Words
The week passed quietly.
For the first time in months, there were no attacks, no threats, and no mysterious messages.
The silence should have been comforting.
Instead...
It made Kelvin uneasy.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, overlooking the city.
Damien entered carrying a tablet.
"Our surveillance team has reported no unusual activity."
Kelvin folded his arms.
"Ricardo is too quiet."
"I know."
"And that's exactly why I don't trust it."
---
Across town...
Mackenzie had just finished approving the final decorations for a charity gala when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon."
Kelvin's familiar voice made her smile.
"Good afternoon."
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all."
"I was wondering if you'd join me for coffee."
She laughed.
"Just coffee?"
"For now."
She smiled.
"I'll be there."
---
An hour later...
They met at a quiet café tucked away on a peaceful street.
Unlike their previous outings, neither of them was dressed formally.
Kelvin wore a navy sweater and dark trousers.
Mackenzie chose a simple floral dress.
"You almost look like a normal businessman today," she teased.
"Almost?"
He smiled.
"I'll take that as progress."
Their coffee arrived, and the conversation flowed effortlessly.
They spoke about childhood memories, favorite books, and places they hoped to visit one day.
"I've always wanted to see the northern mountains," Mackenzie admitted.
Kelvin raised an eyebrow.
"I've never been."
She looked surprised.
"You've traveled all over the world."
"For work."
"Not for myself."
She smiled gently.
"Then one day..."
"We'll both go."
Kelvin met her gaze.
"I'd like that."
---
Meanwhile...
Lawson Manor.
Damien welcomed an unexpected visitor into the study.
The woman introduced herself as Professor Amelia Carter, a respected historian specializing in Valestia's founding families.
She placed an old leather-bound ledger on Kelvin's desk.
"I believe this belongs to your family."
Kelvin looked puzzled.
"My family donated its historical records to the National Archives years ago."
"They did."
"But this book was never included."
She carefully opened the fragile pages.
"I found it hidden inside a false compartment in an antique desk purchased at an estate auction."
Kelvin leaned closer.
Inside were handwritten records dating back more than twenty years.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Edward Romano.
Kelvin's heartbeat quickened.
"You've found him."
Professor Carter nodded.
"Not only him."
She turned another page.
"According to these records..."
"...Edward Romano and Alexander Lawson were business partners."
Kelvin frowned.
"My father never had a partner."
"That's what history says."
Professor Carter looked at him seriously.
"But history doesn't always tell the whole truth."
---
Later that evening...
Mackenzie arrived at Lawson Manor after Kelvin invited her to dinner.
As they sat together in the library, he showed her the old ledger.
She carefully read through several pages.
Then she stopped.
"Kelvin..."
He looked up.
"What is it?"
She pointed to a faded handwritten note in the margin.
It read:
'If anything happens to us, protect the child.'
Kelvin stared at the words.
"The child?"
"There isn't a name."
Mackenzie looked at him thoughtfully.
"Do you think it meant you?"
Kelvin slowly shook his head.
"I don't know."
"But somehow..."
"I don't think it did."
---
Outside the manor...
Damien completed his evening security inspection.
One of the guards approached him.
"Sir."
"A woman has been waiting outside the gates."
Damien frowned.
"Did she give her name?"
"She only said..."
The guard hesitated.
"...that she once worked for the Romano family."
Damien's eyes widened.
"Bring her in."
---
A few minutes later...
An elderly woman entered the manor, leaning on a wooden cane.
Her silver hair was neatly tied back, and despite her age, her eyes remained sharp.
She looked directly at Kelvin.
"You have your father's smile."
Kelvin stood.
"You knew him?"
She nodded slowly.
"I knew Alexander Lawson."
"And Edward Romano."
The room fell silent.
"I've spent twenty-two years waiting..."
"...for someone to finally ask the right questions."
Kelvin took a slow step toward her.
"Then please..."
"Tell me what happened."
The elderly woman looked at the old photograph lying on the table.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She whispered just five words.
"They were betrayed by family."
Silence filled the library.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The mystery Kelvin had chased for weeks had finally taken its first real step forward.
- Writer
