Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Daughter Nobody Was Allowed to Find
Richard: The Daughter Nobody Was Allowed to Find
Richard read the message four times before he understood the final read the message four times before he understood the final sentence.
Whatever you do, don't bring Ethan.
Someone knew sentence.
Whatever you do, don't bring Ethan.
Someone knew he had discovered the truth about his son. Someone knew Elizabeth was alive. And someone had he had discovered the truth about his son.
Someone knew Elizabeth was alive. And someone had taken a photograph of his wife that morning, which meant the person sending the message was close enough to watch her taken a photograph of his wife that morning, which meant the person sending the message was close enough to watch her.
He looked at the little girl standing beside Elizabeth.
The child's dark curls framed.
He looked at the little girl standing beside Elizabeth.
The child's dark curls framed a face that seemed painfully familiar. She had Elizabeth's eyes, the same delicate nose, and a tiny crescent-shaped a face that seemed painfully familiar. She had Elizabeth's eyes, the same delicate nose, and a tiny crescent-shaped birthmark beneath her left ear.
Richard had seen that mark before.
On Ethan.
He lowered the phone, birthmark beneath her left ear.
Richard had seen that mark before.
On Ethan.
He lowered the phone, his fingers trembling.
"Dad?"" Ethan asked from the staircase.
"What's happened?""
Richard locked the screen.
"Nothing his fingers trembling.
"Dad?"" Ethan asked from the staircase.
"What's happened?""
Richard locked the screen.
"Nothing you need to worry about right now.""
Ethan descended two steps.
"You've been saying that all morning.""
Richard looked at you need to worry about right now.""
Ethan descended two steps.
"You've been saying that all morning.""
Richard looked at his son and realized how much damage those words had done. For sixteen years, he had believed that his son and realized how much damage those words had done. For sixteen years, he had believed that protecting his children meant keeping difficult truths away from them.
Now he understood that silence had only left them protecting his children meant keeping difficult truths away from them.
Now he understood that silence had only left them vulnerable to people willing to exploit what they didn't know.
He held out the phone.
"Look at this.""
Ethan vulnerable to people willing to exploit what they didn't know.
He held out the phone.
"Look at this.""
Ethan took it.
Sophia came down beside him, and the three of them studied the photograph together.
Soph took it.
Sophia came down beside him, and the three of them studied the photograph together.
Sophia gasped.
"That's Mom.""
Ethan's face drained of color.
"She's alive.""
Richard nodded.
"And sheia gasped.
"That's Mom.""
Ethan's face drained of color.
"She's alive.""
Richard nodded.
"And she has another child.""
Sophia touched the screen with one finger.
"She's so little.""
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Ethan looked has another child.""
Sophia touched the screen with one finger.
"She's so little.""
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Ethan looked up.
"Why does the message say not to bring me?""
Richard had been dreading that question.
"I don't know.""
up.
"Why does the message say not to bring me?""
Richard had been dreading that question.
"I don't know.""
"Is it because of the trust?""
"Possibly.""
"Or because of who my"Is it because of the trust?""
"Possibly.""
"Or because of who my father is?""
Richard took a slow breath.
"Your biological father may be part of this, Ethan, but that doesn't change father is?""
Richard took a slow breath.
"Your biological father may be part of this, Ethan, but that doesn't change who you are to me.""
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I know you keep saying that. But who you are to me.""
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I know you keep saying that. But I need to know why Mom disappeared. I need to know why everyone lied to me.""
Richard nodded.
"You deserve those I need to know why Mom disappeared. I need to know why everyone lied to me.""
Richard nodded.
"You deserve those answers.""
"Then don't go alone.""
Richard looked at the photograph again.
The message had come from an unknown number. The sender answers.""
"Then don't go alone.""
Richard looked at the photograph again.
The message had come from an unknown number. The sender might have been Elizabeth herself, but the wording didn't sound like her. It sounded like a warning from might have been Elizabeth herself, but the wording didn't sound like her. It sounded like a warning from someone who knew exactly how to manipulate his fear.
He called Detective Harris.
The detective answered on the someone who knew exactly how to manipulate his fear.
He called Detective Harris.
The detective answered on the third ring.
"Mr. Whitmore, we've taken Vanessa in for questioning. We'll need you to come to third ring.
"Mr. Whitmore, we've taken Vanessa in for questioning. We'll need you to come to the station later today.""
"I've received a photograph of my wife. She's alive.""
There was a brief silence.
"Are you certain it's current the station later today.""
"I've received a photograph of my wife. She's alive.""
There was a brief silence.
"Are you certain it's current?""
"The photograph was taken this morning.""
"Send it to me. Don't contact the sender yet.""
?""
"The photograph was taken this morning.""
"Send it to me. Don't contact the sender yet.""
Richard forwarded the image.
"There's a little girl with her," he added.
"Vanessa claimed ElizabethRichard forwarded the image.
"There's a little girl with her," he added.
"Vanessa claimed Elizabeth had another child after the crash.""
"Did she give you a location?""
"Not yet. But the sender had another child after the crash.""
"Did she give you a location?""
"Not yet. But the sender says I should come alone.""
"Then you're not going alone," Detective Harris replied.
"And you're not says I should come alone.""
"Then you're not going alone," Detective Harris replied.
"And you're not going anywhere until we've examined that message.""
Richard stared at the phone.
"I can't sit here going anywhere until we've examined that message.""
Richard stared at the phone.
"I can't sit here while someone watches my wife.""
"I understand. But if this is connected to the attempted murder, walking into an unknown location without a while someone watches my wife.""
"I understand. But if this is connected to the attempted murder, walking into an unknown location without a plan could put you and Elizabeth in danger.""
Richard reluctantly agreed to wait.
He lasted twenty-three minutes.
At 10 plan could put you and Elizabeth in danger.""
Richard reluctantly agreed to wait.
He lasted twenty-three minutes.
At 10:06 a.m., another message arrived.
This time, it contained an address in a small mountain town:06 a.m., another message arrived.
This time, it contained an address in a small mountain town outside Asheville, North Carolina, followed by six words.
She has until sunset. Please hurry.
outside Asheville, North Carolina, followed by six words.
She has until sunset. Please hurry.
Richard immediately called the detective.
"I'm sending you the address.""
"Good. Stay where you are.""
"Detective,Richard immediately called the detective.
"I'm sending you the address.""
"Good. Stay where you are.""
"Detective, I can't—"
"Richard, listen to me. If Elizabeth has been hiding for three years, there may I can't—"
"Richard, listen to me. If Elizabeth has been hiding for three years, there may be a reason. Give us time to secure the location.""
Richard ended the call only after promising not to be a reason. Give us time to secure the location.""
Richard ended the call only after promising not to leave the mansion.
Then he walked into the kitchen.
Maria stood beside the counter, making sandwiches for the children. She had returned to work because Sophia had leave the mansion.
Then he walked into the kitchen.
Maria stood beside the counter, making sandwiches for the children. She had returned to work because Sophia had begged her to stay, but she still wore the plain clothes she'd arrived in rather than her usual uniform begged her to stay, but she still wore the plain clothes she'd arrived in rather than her usual uniform.
When Richard entered, she looked up.
"You found her, didn't you?""
He stopped.
"How did you.
When Richard entered, she looked up.
"You found her, didn't you?""
He stopped.
"How did you know?""
Maria set down the knife.
"Because when Elizabeth was frightened, she always asked me to prepare food she know?""
Maria set down the knife.
"Because when Elizabeth was frightened, she always asked me to prepare food she could carry in one hand. Sandwiches. Apples.
Water. Things she could eat while traveling.""
Richard stared at her.
"She could carry in one hand. Sandwiches. Apples.
Water. Things she could eat while traveling.""
Richard stared at her.
"She did that before she died?""
Maria shook her head.
"Before everyone believed she died did that before she died?""
Maria shook her head.
"Before everyone believed she died.""
Richard stepped closer.
"Maria, did Elizabeth ever tell you about another child?""
The older woman's eyes filled with tears.""
Richard stepped closer.
"Maria, did Elizabeth ever tell you about another child?""
The older woman's eyes filled with tears.
"She did.""
Richard gripped the edge of the counter.
"You knew?""
"I.
"She did.""
Richard gripped the edge of the counter.
"You knew?""
"I knew she was pregnant when she left the rehabilitation facility. I didn't know where she went, and I didn't know whether the baby survived.""
"Why didn't you tell knew she was pregnant when she left the rehabilitation facility. I didn't know where she went, and I didn't know whether the baby survived.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Maria's face tightened with pain.
"Because Elizabeth made me promise not to reveal anything unless I was certain you could protect me?""
Maria's face tightened with pain.
"Because Elizabeth made me promise not to reveal anything unless I was certain you could protect the children. She believed someone inside the family was helping Vanessa.""
Richard thought of James, who had warned him not to confront anyone before he arrived.
Then he the children. She believed someone inside the family was helping Vanessa.""
Richard thought of James, who had warned him not to confront anyone before he arrived.
Then he remembered the lawyer's strange hesitation when asked about the second will.
"Did Elizabeth ever mention James Porter?""
Maria considered the remembered the lawyer's strange hesitation when asked about the second will.
"Did Elizabeth ever mention James Porter?""
Maria considered the question.
"Once. She said he was a good man, but he trusted paperwork more than people.""
Richard almost question.
"Once. She said he was a good man, but he trusted paperwork more than people.""
Richard almost smiled despite himself.
That sounded exactly like James.
"Did she ever tell you why she didn't return?""
smiled despite himself.
That sounded exactly like James.
"Did she ever tell you why she didn't return?""
Maria looked toward the window.
"She said that if she came back too soon, someone would use Ethan to get toMaria looked toward the window.
"She said that if she came back too soon, someone would use Ethan to get to the baby.""
Richard felt a knot tighten in his chest.
"Who?""
Maria shook her head.
"She never told the baby.""
Richard felt a knot tighten in his chest.
"Who?""
Maria shook her head.
"She never told me.""
His phone rang.
Detective Harris.
"We've checked the address. It's a rental property registered under an me.""
His phone rang.
Detective Harris.
"We've checked the address. It's a rental property registered under an alias. There's a vehicle outside, but we can't confirm who's inside. We're sending officers to secure the area.""
Richard exhal alias. There's a vehicle outside, but we can't confirm who's inside. We're sending officers to secure the area.""
Richard exhaled.
"Thank you.""
"One more thing. Vanessa has asked to speak with you.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"Abouted.
"Thank you.""
"One more thing. Vanessa has asked to speak with you.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"About what?""
"She says the photograph isn't what you think it is.""
"She would say that.""
"She also what?""
"She says the photograph isn't what you think it is.""
"She would say that.""
"She also claims Elizabeth's second child may be in immediate danger.""
Richard looked at the photograph again.
The little girl was smiling claims Elizabeth's second child may be in immediate danger.""
Richard looked at the photograph again.
The little girl was smiling.
Elizabeth's arm rested protectively around her shoulders.
"Tell Vanessa that if she knows something.
Elizabeth's arm rested protectively around her shoulders.
"Tell Vanessa that if she knows something, she can tell you.""
"She's insisting she will only speak to you.""
Richard hesitated, she can tell you.""
"She's insisting she will only speak to you.""
Richard hesitated.
Then he looked at Maria.
"Would you stay.
Then he looked at Maria.
"Would you stay with the children?""
"Of course.""
He turned to Ethan and Sophia, who had been listening from the doorway.
"I need to go to the police station.""
Ethan stepped forward.
"Take me with you.""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because I don't know what's waiting for us, and I'm not risking your safety with the children?""
"Of course.""
He turned to Ethan and Sophia, who had been listening from the doorway.
"I need to go to the police station.""
Ethan stepped forward.
"Take me with you.""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because I don't know what's waiting for us, and I'm not risking your safety.""
Ethan's eyes flashed.
"You keep saying you want to protect me, but you still won't let me make my own decisions.""
Richard absorbed the accusation.
Then he reached.""
Ethan's eyes flashed.
"You keep saying you want to protect me, but you still won't let me make my own decisions.""
Richard absorbed the accusation.
Then he reached into his pocket and placed the red smartphone in his son's hand.
"This phone contains the footage that exposed Vanessa. Keep it into his pocket and placed the red smartphone in his son's hand.
"This phone contains the footage that exposed Vanessa. Keep it safe. If anyone asks you to hand it over, call Detective Harris first.""
Ethan stared at him.
"You're trusting me safe. If anyone asks you to hand it over, call Detective Harris first.""
Ethan stared at him.
"You're trusting me with evidence?""
"I'm trusting you with something important.""
It wasn't the same as taking Ethan with him.
But it was a beginning.
Richard drove to the police station with evidence?""
"I'm trusting you with something important.""
It wasn't the same as taking Ethan with him.
But it was a beginning.
Richard drove to the police station with the photograph open on his phone.
Vanessa sat in an interview room wearing a gray sweater, her hair pulled with the photograph open on his phone.
Vanessa sat in an interview room wearing a gray sweater, her hair pulled back, and a look of carefully arranged exhaustion. Without her jewelry and expensive clothes, she appeared back, and a look of carefully arranged exhaustion. Without her jewelry and expensive clothes, she appeared smaller.
She wasn't less dangerous.
When Richard entered, she smiled.
"I knew you'd smaller.
She wasn't less dangerous.
When Richard entered, she smiled.
"I knew you'd come.""
"Don't mistake my presence for forgiveness.""
"Of course not.""
He sat opposite her.
"You said Elizabeth come.""
"Don't mistake my presence for forgiveness.""
"Of course not.""
He sat opposite her.
"You said Elizabeth's child was in danger.""
Vanessa folded her hands.
"How much has Alan told you?""
"Enough to's child was in danger.""
Vanessa folded her hands.
"How much has Alan told you?""
"Enough to know that you arranged the crash.""
Her smile faded.
"Alan is a coward. He'll tell you know that you arranged the crash.""
Her smile faded.
"Alan is a coward. He'll tell you anything to save himself.""
"He gave the police the recording.""
For the first time, genuine fear crossed her face anything to save himself.""
"He gave the police the recording.""
For the first time, genuine fear crossed her face.
Richard leaned forward.
"Now tell me about the little girl.""
Vanessa looked down.
"Her name is Lily.""
Richard.
Richard leaned forward.
"Now tell me about the little girl.""
Vanessa looked down.
"Her name is Lily.""
Richard waited.
"Elizabeth gave birth to her seven months after the crash. The baby was premature, and Elizabeth nearly waited.
"Elizabeth gave birth to her seven months after the crash. The baby was premature, and Elizabeth nearly died. She was terrified that the people who wanted the Cole trust would discover the child existed.""
"Who wanted the trust?""
Vanessa died. She was terrified that the people who wanted the Cole trust would discover the child existed.""
"Who wanted the trust?""
Vanessa looked at him.
"You still don't understand, do you? The money was never just money looked at him.
"You still don't understand, do you? The money was never just money. The trust controls a voting stake in Whitmore Holdings.
Whoever controls it can influence. The trust controls a voting stake in Whitmore Holdings. Whoever controls it can influence the company, its property, and several development projects worth hundreds of millions.""
Richard felt cold.
"Who the company, its property, and several development projects worth hundreds of millions.""
Richard felt cold.
"Who else knew about Lily?""
"Daniel knew. Elizabeth knew. I knew.""
"Anyone else else knew about Lily?""
"Daniel knew. Elizabeth knew. I knew.""
"Anyone else?""
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she said, "James Porter.""
Richard's expression changed.
"You're lying.""
"Ask him why he filed the amended trust?""
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she said, "James Porter.""
Richard's expression changed.
"You're lying.""
"Ask him why he filed the amended trust documents. Ask him why he never questioned the signature on the death certificate.""
"James believed the documents were legitimate documents. Ask him why he never questioned the signature on the death certificate.""
"James believed the documents were legitimate.""
"Then why did he visit Elizabeth at the rehabilitation facility three days before she disappeared?""
Richard.""
"Then why did he visit Elizabeth at the rehabilitation facility three days before she disappeared?""
Richard stopped breathing.
"How do you know that?""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"Because I was there.""
She leaned forward stopped breathing.
"How do you know that?""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"Because I was there.""
She leaned forward.
"James wasn't protecting you, Richard. He was protecting the trust.""
Richard stood.
"If.
"James wasn't protecting you, Richard. He was protecting the trust.""
Richard stood.
"If you're lying—"
"Look at the last photograph again.""
He paused.
Vanessa continued, "Zoom in on you're lying—"
"Look at the last photograph again.""
He paused.
Vanessa continued, "Zoom in on Lily's left hand.""
Richard opened the image.
At first, he saw only the child's small fingers curled around Elizabeth's coat.
Lily's left hand.""
Richard opened the image.
At first, he saw only the child's small fingers curled around Elizabeth's coat.
Then he noticed a silver ring on her thumb.
A tiny ring with a distinctive engraving.
RichardThen he noticed a silver ring on her thumb.
A tiny ring with a distinctive engraving.
Richard recognized it instantly.
It had belonged to Daniel.
The ring had disappeared after the crash.
"Where did Lily get that recognized it instantly.
It had belonged to Daniel.
The ring had disappeared after the crash.
"Where did Lily get that?"" he whispered.
Vanessa's eyes glistened.
"Because Daniel gave it to her mother before?"" he whispered.
Vanessa's eyes glistened.
"Because Daniel gave it to her mother before he died.""
Richard looked up sharply.
"Daniel was dead before Lily was born.""
"Yes.""
"Then he died.""
Richard looked up sharply.
"Daniel was dead before Lily was born.""
"Yes.""
"Then how could he have given her anything?""
Vanessa leaned back.
"Because the last person who saw Daniel alive wasn't Elizabeth how could he have given her anything?""
Vanessa leaned back.
"Because the last person who saw Daniel alive wasn't Elizabeth.""
Richard stared at her.
"Who was it?""
Vanessa's lips parted.
Before she could answer, the interview-room door opened.
Detective Harris entered with a.""
Richard stared at her.
"Who was it?""
Vanessa's lips parted.
Before she could answer, the interview-room door opened.
Detective Harris entered with a phone in his hand.
"Mr. Whitmore, we have a problem.""
Richard turned.
"What happened?""
"The property outside Asheville is empty. phone in his hand.
"Mr. Whitmore, we have a problem.""
Richard turned.
"What happened?""
"The property outside Asheville is empty. No Elizabeth. No child.
No sign anyone has been living there recently No Elizabeth. No child. No sign anyone has been living there recently.""
Richard felt the room tilt.
"But the photograph—"
"It was taken this morning. We traced the image metadata to a device that.""
Richard felt the room tilt.
"But the photograph—"
"It was taken this morning. We traced the image metadata to a device that was active less than two miles from the property.""
"Then where are they?""
The detective held up the phone.
"We just was active less than two miles from the property.""
"Then where are they?""
The detective held up the phone.
"We just received another message from the same number.""
Richard took it.
The message contained a new photograph.
This time, Elizabeth stood alone beside a car received another message from the same number.""
Richard took it.
The message contained a new photograph.
This time, Elizabeth stood alone beside a car, her face bruised, one hand pressed against the driver's window.
Behind her, a man was visible in the reflection, her face bruised, one hand pressed against the driver's window.
Behind her, a man was visible in the reflection.
Richard zoomed in.
The man was wearing a dark suit.
And standing beside him was James Porter.
.
Richard zoomed in.
The man was wearing a dark suit.
And standing beside him was James Porter.
Beneath the image were seven words.
Your lawyer has been lying to you.
Richard slowly lowered the phone.
Vanessa began to laugh.
And from the hallway, DetectiveBeneath the image were seven words.
Your lawyer has been lying to you.
Richard slowly lowered the phone.
Vanessa began to laugh.
And from the hallway, Detective Harris shouted for the officers to secure every exit.
Because the man Richard had trusted to protect his family had Harris shouted for the officers to secure every exit.
May you like
Because the man Richard had trusted to protect his family had just appeared in a photograph with the woman everyone believed was dead.
just appeared in a photograph with the woman everyone believed was dead.
