Chapter 9: The Midnight Meeting
At 11:35 p.m., Richard stood in the mansion's garage, staring at the red diary restingAt 11:35 p.m., Richard stood in the mansion's garage, staring at the red diary resting on the hood of his car.
He had spent the evening reading every page.
Most entries were ordinary. on the hood of his car.
He had spent the evening reading every page.
Most entries were ordinary. Elizabeth had written about the children's school projects, the garden she wanted to redesign, and a birthday dinner she planned for Richard.
But Elizabeth had written about the children's school projects, the garden she wanted to redesign, and a birthday dinner she planned for Richard.
But several pages had been torn out.
Others contained names, bank account numbers, and references to a company called Northbridge Capital.
On the last several pages had been torn out.
Others contained names, bank account numbers, and references to a company called Northbridge Capital.
On the last intact page, Elizabeth had written a single sentence.
*If Daniel is alive, he must never be allowed to meet Ethan until intact page, Elizabeth had written a single sentence.
If Daniel is alive, he must never be allowed to meet Ethan until we know who ordered the first transfer.
Richard had read those words repeatedly.
Why would Elizabeth fear a meeting between Daniel we know who ordered the first transfer.*
Richard had read those words repeatedly.
Why would Elizabeth fear a meeting between Daniel and Ethan if Daniel was the boy's biological father?
Unless Daniel wasn't Ethan's father at all.
Unless the laboratory report and Ethan if Daniel was the boy's biological father?
Unless Daniel wasn't Ethan's father at all.
Unless the laboratory report had been altered.
Or unless the truth was so dangerous that even a reunion could put Ethan had been altered.
Or unless the truth was so dangerous that even a reunion could put Ethan at risk.
Detective Harris entered the garage.
"You're not going to that bridge alone.""
Richard looked at him.
"I know.""
"Then why did you tell the sender at risk.
Detective Harris entered the garage.
"You're not going to that bridge alone.""
Richard looked at him.
"I know.""
"Then why did you tell the sender you'd come alone?""
"Because whoever sent that message is watching the house. If I refuse, they may you'd come alone?""
"Because whoever sent that message is watching the house. If I refuse, they may move Elizabeth again.""
Harris studied him.
"We've placed officers along the access road. Two units move Elizabeth again.""
Harris studied him.
"We've placed officers along the access road. Two units will be positioned near the bridge, and another team will cover the riverbank.""
Richard picked up the diary.
"What about Vanessa?""
"Still in custody. She's refusing to answer questions without will be positioned near the bridge, and another team will cover the riverbank.""
Richard picked up the diary.
"What about Vanessa?""
"Still in custody. She's refusing to answer questions without her attorney.""
"And James?""
"He's cooperating, but he's not giving us everything. He claims he was threatened for years.""
Richard shook her attorney.""
"And James?""
"He's cooperating, but he's not giving us everything. He claims he was threatened for years.""
Richard shook his head.
"Everyone has an excuse.""
"Some of them may even be true.""
Richard looked toward the house.
Ethan stood behind the kitchen window, watching them his head.
"Everyone has an excuse.""
"Some of them may even be true.""
Richard looked toward the house.
Ethan stood behind the kitchen window, watching them.
He had barely spoken since James was arrested.
Richard had promised his son that blood would.
He had barely spoken since James was arrested.
Richard had promised his son that blood would never determine whether he belonged in their family, but he knew the boy was struggling with the knowledge that so much of his life had been built around a lie.
He never determine whether he belonged in their family, but he knew the boy was struggling with the knowledge that so much of his life had been built around a lie.
He walked back inside.
Ethan was waiting in the hallway.
"You're going to the bridge.""
It walked back inside.
Ethan was waiting in the hallway.
"You're going to the bridge.""
It wasn't a question.
Richard nodded.
"Yes.""
"Take me with you.""
"No.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"You can't wasn't a question.
Richard nodded.
"Yes.""
"Take me with you.""
"No.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"You can't keep making decisions for me.""
"I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to keep you alive.""
"Then let me help.""
Richard looked at his son for a long moment.
Finally, he placed the red keep making decisions for me.""
"I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to keep you alive.""
"Then let me help.""
Richard looked at his son for a long moment.
Finally, he placed the red diary in Ethan's hands.
"I need you to do something more important.""
Ethan looked down.
"What?""
"Keep this safe. If anything happens diary in Ethan's hands.
"I need you to do something more important.""
Ethan looked down.
"What?""
"Keep this safe. If anything happens to me tonight, give it to Detective Harris. Don't give it to James. Don't give it to Vanessa.
And don't let anyone convince you that you owe to me tonight, give it to Detective Harris. Don't give it to James. Don't give it to Vanessa. And don't let anyone convince you that you owe them silence.""
Ethan swallowed.
"You're talking like you might not come back.""
Richard placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm coming back.""
"You them silence.""
Ethan swallowed.
"You're talking like you might not come back.""
Richard placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm coming back.""
"You don't know that.""
"No," Richard admitted.
"I don't.""
Ethan's eyes filled.
"Then don't ask me to sit here don't know that.""
"No," Richard admitted.
"I don't.""
Ethan's eyes filled.
"Then don't ask me to sit here and wait.""
Richard pulled him into a hug.
"I know this is unfair. I know you deserve answers. But if and wait.""
Richard pulled him into a hug.
"I know this is unfair. I know you deserve answers. But if the people behind this are willing to hurt your mother and threaten your sister, I cannot put you in their hands the people behind this are willing to hurt your mother and threaten your sister, I cannot put you in their hands.""
Ethan held on tightly.
"Promise me you'll find her.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"I promise.""
He left the.""
Ethan held on tightly.
"Promise me you'll find her.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"I promise.""
He left the mansion at 11:47 p.m.
The old bridge stood outside town, where a narrow road crossed a river bordered mansion at 11:47 p.m.
The old bridge stood outside town, where a narrow road crossed a river bordered by thick trees. It had been closed to regular traffic after a newer bridge was built several years earlier.
Richard by thick trees. It had been closed to regular traffic after a newer bridge was built several years earlier.
Richard parked beneath a broken streetlamp.
Rain tapped against the windshield.
He placed the diary on the passenger seat and stepped out.
The river rushed parked beneath a broken streetlamp.
Rain tapped against the windshield.
He placed the diary on the passenger seat and stepped out.
The river rushed beneath the bridge, black water flashing silver whenever lightning illuminated the sky.
"Elizabeth beneath the bridge, black water flashing silver whenever lightning illuminated the sky.
"Elizabeth?""
His voice disappeared into the rain.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
A woman wearing a dark coat.
Richard recognized her immediately.
Even?""
His voice disappeared into the rain.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
A woman wearing a dark coat.
Richard recognized her immediately.
Even after three years, he knew the way she held her shoulders. The slight tilt of her head. The way she tucked a strand of hair after three years, he knew the way she held her shoulders.
The slight tilt of her head. The way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when she was nervous.
"Elizabeth.""
She stopped several feet away.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then she began to cry.
Richard crossed the distance between behind her ear when she was nervous.
"Elizabeth.""
She stopped several feet away.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then she began to cry.
Richard crossed the distance between them.
He reached for her, but she stepped back.
"Don't.""
He froze.
"Why them.
He reached for her, but she stepped back.
"Don't.""
He froze.
"Why?""
Elizabeth wiped her face.
"Because I don't know whether you're safe.""
Richard stared at her.
"Safe? I'm your husband.""
?""
Elizabeth wiped her face.
"Because I don't know whether you're safe.""
Richard stared at her.
"Safe? I'm your husband.""
She flinched at the word.
"I know.""
"Then why did you leave me? Why did you let me bury someone I thought was you? Why did you let our children grow up believing their motherShe flinched at the word.
"I know.""
"Then why did you leave me? Why did you let me bury someone I thought was you? Why did you let our children grow up believing their mother was dead?""
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
"I thought Vanessa would kill you if I came was dead?""
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
"I thought Vanessa would kill you if I came back.""
"She tried to kill you!""
"And she nearly succeeded.""
Richard's anger collapsed beneath the back.""
"She tried to kill you!""
"And she nearly succeeded.""
Richard's anger collapsed beneath the weight of her trembling voice.
He stepped closer, slowly this time.
"Let me see you.""
Elizabeth hesitated.
Then she lifted her face.
There were faint scars weight of her trembling voice.
He stepped closer, slowly this time.
"Let me see you.""
Elizabeth hesitated.
Then she lifted her face.
There were faint scars along her hairline. Her eyes were tired, and she looked older than she should have. But along her hairline.
Her eyes were tired, and she looked older than she should have. But she was alive.
His wife was alive.
Richard reached for her hands.
She allowed him to hold them.
"I missed she was alive.
His wife was alive.
Richard reached for her hands.
She allowed him to hold them.
"I missed you," he whispered.
Elizabeth began to sob.
"I missed you every day.""
He pulled her into his arms.
For several seconds, they stood beneath the rain, clinging to each other as though the years between them might somehow you," he whispered.
Elizabeth began to sob.
"I missed you every day.""
He pulled her into his arms.
For several seconds, they stood beneath the rain, clinging to each other as though the years between them might somehow disappear.
Then Elizabeth stiffened.
"Richard, listen to me. You shouldn't have come.""
disappear.
Then Elizabeth stiffened.
"Richard, listen to me. You shouldn't have come.""
"You asked me to.""
"I didn't send that message.""
He pulled back.
"What?""
"I didn't send you the photograph. I didn't tell anyone to bring you here.""
Richard looked around"You asked me to.""
"I didn't send that message.""
He pulled back.
"What?""
"I didn't send you the photograph. I didn't tell anyone to bring you here.""
Richard looked around.
"Then who did?""
A metallic click sounded behind him.
"That's.
"Then who did?""
A metallic click sounded behind him.
"That's the right question.""
Richard turned.
A man stood near the bridge railing, holding a handgun.
His face was older, thinner, and marked by a pale scar across his jaw the right question.""
Richard turned.
A man stood near the bridge railing, holding a handgun.
His face was older, thinner, and marked by a pale scar across his jaw.
But Richard recognized him from the photographs in Elizabeth's box.
Daniel Cole.
Ethan's.
But Richard recognized him from the photographs in Elizabeth's box.
Daniel Cole.
Ethan's supposed biological father.
Elizabeth stumbled backward.
"Daniel, no.""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"You brought him here.""
"I didn't know he was coming.""
Daniel pointed the gun toward Richard.
"Give me the diary.""
supposed biological father.
Elizabeth stumbled backward.
"Daniel, no.""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"You brought him here.""
"I didn't know he was coming.""
Daniel pointed the gun toward Richard.
"Give me the diary.""
Richard kept his hands visible.
"Why?""
"Because it contains the evidence that could destroy everything.""
"Everything you've built?""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"You think I built this? You think I wantedRichard kept his hands visible.
"Why?""
"Because it contains the evidence that could destroy everything.""
"Everything you've built?""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"You think I built this? You think I wanted any of this?""
Elizabeth stepped between them.
"Daniel, please. We can explain everything.""
He looked at her with anguish any of this?""
Elizabeth stepped between them.
"Daniel, please. We can explain everything.""
He looked at her with anguish.
"You had three years to explain.""
Richard stared at Daniel.
"You were alive.""
"Yes.""
"Why did you.
"You had three years to explain.""
Richard stared at Daniel.
"You were alive.""
"Yes.""
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Because the moment I appeared, the trust would become the let me believe you were dead?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Because the moment I appeared, the trust would become the target again. Vanessa wanted control of it. The people financing her wanted the company. And James wanted to target again.
Vanessa wanted control of it. The people financing her wanted the company. And James wanted to make sure the documents never reached the authorities.""
Richard shook his head.
"James said make sure the documents never reached the authorities.""
Richard shook his head.
"James said he was trying to protect Elizabeth.""
"James was protecting himself.""
Daniel raised the gun slightly.
"Now give me the diary.""
Richard didn't move.
"Tell me why Ethan's birth records identify Alan he was trying to protect Elizabeth.""
"James was protecting himself.""
Daniel raised the gun slightly.
"Now give me the diary.""
Richard didn't move.
"Tell me why Ethan's birth records identify Alan Mercer as his father.""
Daniel's expression changed.
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
For the first time, Richard saw fear on Mercer as his father.""
Daniel's expression changed.
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
For the first time, Richard saw fear on Daniel's face that had nothing to do with the gun or the police.
"You've seen the laboratory Daniel's face that had nothing to do with the gun or the police.
"You've seen the laboratory report," Daniel said.
"Yes.""
"Then you know Alan is his father.""
"Is he?""
Daniel hesitated.
Richard report," Daniel said.
"Yes.""
"Then you know Alan is his father.""
"Is he?""
Daniel hesitated.
Richard felt his heart pound.
"Tell me the truth.""
Daniel looked toward Elizabeth.
She shook her head desperately.
"Daniel, don't.""
He felt his heart pound.
"Tell me the truth.""
Daniel looked toward Elizabeth.
She shook her head desperately.
"Daniel, don't.""
He ignored her.
"Ethan was born after Elizabeth and I discovered that the trust's records had been altered. We believed the child had to be hidden because someone was trying to identify the heir. Alan agreed to help us obtain ignored her.
"Ethan was born after Elizabeth and I discovered that the trust's records had been altered. We believed the child had to be hidden because someone was trying to identify the heir. Alan agreed to help us obtain a false birth record.""
Richard stared at him.
"Why would Alan do that?""
"Because he was Ethan's biological father, and he wanted to protect him.""
a false birth record.""
Richard stared at him.
"Why would Alan do that?""
"Because he was Ethan's biological father, and he wanted to protect him.""
Richard's throat tightened.
"Then why did Elizabeth marry me?""
Daniel looked at him with something close to pity.
"BecauseRichard's throat tightened.
"Then why did Elizabeth marry me?""
Daniel looked at him with something close to pity.
"Because she loved you. And because you were the only man she believed would raise Ethan without demanding that he become someone else.""
Richard felt the words settle inside him.
He had she loved you. And because you were the only man she believed would raise Ethan without demanding that he become someone else.""
Richard felt the words settle inside him.
He had been right about one thing.
Blood had never made Ethan his son.
Love had.
But that didn't explain the been right about one thing.
Blood had never made Ethan his son.
Love had.
But that didn't explain the gun.
It didn't explain the threats.
And it certainly didn't explain why Daniel had remained hidden for three years.
"Why are you pointing a weapon at me?"" Richard demanded.
Daniel's eyes dark gun.
It didn't explain the threats.
And it certainly didn't explain why Daniel had remained hidden for three years.
"Why are you pointing a weapon at me?"" Richard demanded.
Daniel's eyes darkened.
"Because you're holding something that could put Lily in danger.""
Elizabeth began to cry.
"Daniel, please. He's not our enemy.""
Daniel looked at her.
"You don't know thatened.
"Because you're holding something that could put Lily in danger.""
Elizabeth began to cry.
"Daniel, please. He's not our enemy.""
Daniel looked at her.
"You don't know that.""
Richard reached slowly toward the passenger seat of his car.
Daniel immediately raised the gun.
"Don't move!""
Richard stopped.""
Richard reached slowly toward the passenger seat of his car.
Daniel immediately raised the gun.
"Don't move!""
Richard stopped.
"The diary is in the car. I'll give it to you.""
"No. Bring it here.""
Richard walked to.
"The diary is in the car. I'll give it to you.""
"No. Bring it here.""
Richard walked to the vehicle, keeping his movements slow. He retrieved the diary and returned to the bridge.
Daniel held out his free hand.
Richard didn't give him the book.
"Before the vehicle, keeping his movements slow. He retrieved the diary and returned to the bridge.
Daniel held out his free hand.
Richard didn't give him the book.
"Before I hand this over, I need one answer.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What?""
"Who ordered the crash?""
Daniel's hand trembled.
For I hand this over, I need one answer.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What?""
"Who ordered the crash?""
Daniel's hand trembled.
For several seconds, the only sound was the rain.
Then he whispered, "I did.""
Elizabeth gasped.
Richard stared several seconds, the only sound was the rain.
Then he whispered, "I did.""
Elizabeth gasped.
Richard stared at him.
"What?""
"I ordered the car to be sabotaged.""
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
"No at him.
"What?""
"I ordered the car to be sabotaged.""
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
"No!""
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"I thought it would frighten Vanessa. I thought if the brakes failed during a test drive, she'd understand that I had evidence against!""
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"I thought it would frighten Vanessa. I thought if the brakes failed during a test drive, she'd understand that I had evidence against her. I never expected Elizabeth to get in the car.""
Richard felt sick.
"You nearly killed your own sister.""
"I didn't know she was there!""
"You knew someone could die!""
her. I never expected Elizabeth to get in the car.""
Richard felt sick.
"You nearly killed your own sister.""
"I didn't know she was there!""
"You knew someone could die!""
Daniel lowered the gun slightly.
"I made a terrible mistake.""
Richard's voice shook with fury.
"And you let me mournDaniel lowered the gun slightly.
"I made a terrible mistake.""
Richard's voice shook with fury.
"And you let me mourn my wife while you hid?""
"I was trying to protect Lily.""
"By abandoning her mother?""
Daniel looked at my wife while you hid?""
"I was trying to protect Lily.""
"By abandoning her mother?""
Daniel looked at Elizabeth.
"I had no choice.""
Elizabeth stepped away from him.
"Yes, you did.""
The words were quiet, but they seemed to wound him more deeply than anything Richard had said.
Daniel looked at the river Elizabeth.
"I had no choice.""
Elizabeth stepped away from him.
"Yes, you did.""
The words were quiet, but they seemed to wound him more deeply than anything Richard had said.
Daniel looked at the river.
"I've spent three years trying to fix what I did.""
"By threatening my family?"" Richard demanded.
"I never threatened your family.""
"Then who sent the messages?""
Daniel's face changed.
"I've spent three years trying to fix what I did.""
"By threatening my family?"" Richard demanded.
"I never threatened your family.""
"Then who sent the messages?""
Daniel's face changed.
He looked toward the trees.
Richard followed his gaze.
Headlights appeared on the road behind them.
A vehicle was.
He looked toward the trees.
Richard followed his gaze.
Headlights appeared on the road behind them.
A vehicle was approaching the bridge.
Daniel swore.
"You're too late.""
The car stopped.
Its doors opened.
Two men stepped into the rain.
One carried a metal approaching the bridge.
Daniel swore.
"You're too late.""
The car stopped.
Its doors opened.
Two men stepped into the rain.
One carried a metal case.
The other held a gun.
Daniel raised his weapon toward them.
Elizabeth grabbed case.
The other held a gun.
Daniel raised his weapon toward them.
Elizabeth grabbed Richard's arm.
"Get down!""
A gunshot exploded.
Richard felt something strike his shoulder Richard's arm.
"Get down!""
A gunshot exploded.
Richard felt something strike his shoulder.
The diary slipped from his hands.
He stumbled against the railing as Elizabeth screamed his name.
Daniel fired back.
The diary slipped from his hands.
He stumbled against the railing as Elizabeth screamed his name.
Daniel fired back.
The men scattered behind the car.
And from the darkness beyond the bridge, a voice called.
The men scattered behind the car.
And from the darkness beyond the bridge, a voice called out.
"Take the book! Leave the witnesses!""
Richard fell to his knees.
Elizabeth dropped beside him, pressing both hands against his shoulder.
"Richard, stay with me!""
He out.
"Take the book! Leave the witnesses!""
Richard fell to his knees.
Elizabeth dropped beside him, pressing both hands against his shoulder.
"Richard, stay with me!""
He tried to answer, but his breath came in short, painful bursts.
Daniel was shouting at the men.
The diary lay open on the wet pavement, its pages blowing in the wind.
One of the gun tried to answer, but his breath came in short, painful bursts.
Daniel was shouting at the men.
The diary lay open on the wet pavement, its pages blowing in the wind.
One of the gunmen rushed toward it.
Then a second shot rang out.
Daniel collapsed.
Elizabeth screamed.
Richard reached for her hand.
men rushed toward it.
Then a second shot rang out.
Daniel collapsed.
Elizabeth screamed.
Richard reached for her hand.
Through the rain, he saw the gunman pick up the diary and run toward the waiting vehicle.
Before the car sped away, the passengerThrough the rain, he saw the gunman pick up the diary and run toward the waiting vehicle.
Before the car sped away, the passenger window lowered.
A face appeared.
A face Richard had never expected to see.
James Porter.
The lawyer looked directly at Richard window lowered.
A face appeared.
A face Richard had never expected to see.
James Porter.
The lawyer looked directly at Richard.
Then he smiled.
And the vehicle disappeared into the darkness, carrying the evidence that could finally explain everything.
.
May you like
Then he smiled.
And the vehicle disappeared into the darkness, carrying the evidence that could finally explain everything.
