His Last Secret

Chapter 11

We don't sleep. There's no point.

The police come at dawn. They take statements. They ask questions we can't answer.

Morrison arrives an hour later. He looks at the blood on my clothes. My hands. My shoes. He doesn't say a word.

"She was about to tell us who killed Elena."

"And now she can't."

"She said the killer was close. Inside the household."

Morrison's jaw tightens.

"We're going back to the estate. Full search. Everyone gets interviewed."

"That's not enough."

"It's all we have."

"It's not enough."

"What else?"

I think about Margaret's last word. Ha.

"Harlow."

"What?"

"I think she said Harlow."

"Mrs. Harlow?"

"She's been with the Blackwoods for forty years."

"I know who she is."

"She was there the whole time."

"And she's still there."

We drive back to the estate in silence.

The sun is rising over the mansion. Pink and orange light.

Mrs. Harlow is in the kitchen. Making tea.

She doesn't look surprised to see us at all.

"Detective."

"Mrs. Harlow. We need to talk."

"I assumed you would."

She sits down. Pours herself a cup of tea.

"I didn't kill Elena."

"No one said you did."

"Then what do you want from me?"

"Answers."

"I've given you answers."

"You've given me lies."

She sips her tea calmly.

"Margaret Webb is dead. Someone killed her tonight at the agency building."

"That's unfortunate."

"Was it you?"

"If I wanted Margaret dead, I would have done it years ago."

"Then who?"

"I don't know."

"You know everything that happens in this house."

"Not everything."

"Who killed Elena?"

"I don't know."

"Who's been sending us messages?"

"I don't know."

"Who's trying to stop us?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

Mrs. Harlow sets down her cup.

"I've served this family for forty years. I've kept their secrets. I've buried their sins."

"And you've protected killers."

"I've protected the family."

"The family is dead."

"No. It's not."

She looks at Julian.

"The Blackwood name lives on."

"Through who?"

"Through Alex."

"Alex is gone."

"He'll be back."

"How do you know?"

"Because I raised him. I know him better than anyone."

Julian's face goes pale.

"You raised him?"

"Your father was busy. Your mother was sick. I was the one who took care of Alex."

"And me?"

"You were sent away. You were the heir. You needed to be strong."

"While Alex stayed."

"Alex stayed with me."

Mrs. Harlow looks at me now.

"Margaret Webb was going to tell you something tonight."

"Yes."

"She was going to tell you that the killer is still in this house."

"She did tell us that."

Mrs. Harlow smiles. It's cold.

"But she didn't say the name."

"No."

"Because she couldn't."

"Why?"

"Because the name is too dangerous."

"More dangerous than a killer?"

"Yes."

She stands up. Walks to the window.

"I've said enough."

"No. You haven't."

"What do you want from me?"

"The truth."

"The truth would destroy this family."

"It's already destroyed."

Mrs. Harlow looks at Julian.

"Your father had a mistress. Did you know that?"

Julian steps back.

"No."

"No one did. He kept it very quiet."

"Who was she?"

"Someone close. Someone who worked for him."

"Mrs. Harlow."

"Not me. I was loyal to your mother."

"Then who?"

She doesn't answer directly.

"The affair produced a child. A son."

Julian's face goes white.

"I have another brother?"

"You have two. Alex is your half-brother."

"What?"

"Arthur Blackwood had a son with another woman. A woman who worked in this house."

"Who?"

"Lydia Webb."

"Marcus's wife?"

"No. Marcus was married to a different woman. Lydia was Marcus's sister."

"Marcus's sister?"

"She was young. Pretty. Arthur took advantage of her position."

"Did my mother know?"

"Your mother knew everything. She stayed anyway."

"Why?"

"Because the Blackwood name meant more to her than anything."

Including her own children.

I watch Julian process this.

"Who's the son?"

"He's still here."

"Where?"

"He works in the stables. He's been here his whole life."

"A servant."

"A Blackwood. Hidden in plain sight."

"His name."

"Thomas. Thomas Webb."

Julian sinks into a chair.

"I have a brother who works for me."

"Yes."

"And Elena knew?"

"Elena found out. That's why she was killed."

"Thomas killed Elena?"

"No. But someone killed her to protect Thomas."

"Who?"

Mrs. Harlow looks at me. Then back at Julian.

"Someone who loves Thomas more than anything."

"His mother?"

"Lydia is dead."

"Then who?"

"Someone who's been here the whole time."

"Who?"

"The person who raised him."

"You?"

"No."

"Then who?"

Mrs. Harlow leans forward.

"Think, Julian. Who else has been in this house for forty years? Who knows every secret? Who would kill to protect the family?"

Julian's face goes white.

"No."

"Yes."

"It can't be."

"It is."

I look between them.

"Who?"

Julian whispers.

"Marcus."

"Marcus Webb?"

"Marcus isn't just the driver. He's my father's son. Lydia's brother. Thomas's uncle."

"And the killer?"

"Marcus killed Elena to protect Thomas. To protect the secret."

"Where is Marcus now?"

Mrs. Harlow smiles.

"He's been standing behind you the whole time."

We turn.

Marcus Webb stands in the doorway.

A gun in his hand.

"Hello, Julian."

"You killed my wife."

"She was going to destroy everything."

"She was trying to protect your niece."

"She was trying to destroy the family."

"You're not family."

"I've been more family to you than your own father ever was."

Julian stands up slowly.

"Where's my daughter?"

"Safe."

"Where?"

"Somewhere you'll never find her."

"Marcus."

"Don't."

"I'm her father."

"And I'm her protector. I've been protecting her since the day she was born."

"From who?"

"From your father. From your brother. From you."

"From me?"

"You would have taken her away. You would have ruined everything."

"She's my daughter."

"She's a Blackwood. And Blackwoods don't get happy endings."

Marcus raises the gun.

"I'm sorry, Julian."

"Don't do this."

"This is how it ends."

And I realize.

The killer was never outside the house.

The killer was always inside.

Watching. Waiting.

And now he's finally showing his hand.