Chapter 4 - THE SIGNATURE
Eleanor stared at the adoption papers.
“That isn’t possible.”
Daniel shoved them toward her.
“It’s your signature.”
“I never signed these.”
Victor folded his arms.
“You signed dozens of documents after Madeline disappeared.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“You told me they were search authorizations.”
“And Richard told me to make sure you didn’t read them.”
Emily watched Eleanor carefully.
For the first time, she wasn’t sure whether the woman was lying.
Eleanor picked up the papers.
Her hand trembled.
“I was taking sleeping pills.”
Daniel laughed without humor.
“So while you were drugged with grief, my father slipped adoption documents in front of you?”
Victor nodded.
“That is my belief.”
Daniel’s jaw clenched.
“You helped him.”
Victor didn’t deny it.
“I did what I was paid to do.”
Emily stared at him.
“You helped steal a baby.”
Victor looked at her.
“I helped create paperwork.”
“That baby is standing in front of you.”
Daniel turned away.
Victor’s face tightened.
“I know.”
Emily stepped toward him.
“And what happened to me?”
Victor was silent.
She slammed the pendant onto the table.
“What happened to me?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect us to believe that?”
“Yes.”
Victor looked at Eleanor.
“Richard never told me everything.”
Daniel said, “Then who did he tell?”
Victor glanced toward the door.
“There was one other person involved.”
Eleanor whispered, “Margaret.”
Victor nodded.
Emily frowned.
“Who is Margaret?”
Eleanor looked sick.
“My sister.”
Emily had heard the name before.
Margaret Whitmore Vale.
A respected philanthropist.
A woman who lived in Connecticut.
A woman who had hugged Emily at family dinners and quietly told Eleanor to give the girl a chance.
Emily whispered, “Aunt Margaret?”
Eleanor closed her eyes at the word.
Victor said, “Margaret was at St. Matthew’s the night both children disappeared from the records.”
Daniel grabbed his phone.
“I’m calling her.”
Victor stopped him.
“She won’t answer.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she called me during the ceremony.”
Everyone froze.
“When?”
“The second she saw Emily’s pendant.”
Daniel lowered the phone.
“She was watching the wedding?”
Victor nodded.
“Through the livestream.”
Emily felt a chill.
“What did she say?”
Victor looked at Eleanor.
“She said, ‘Eleanor finally found what she should have left buried.’”
Eleanor’s face twisted.
“Give me your phone.”
Victor hesitated.
Daniel snatched it.
The last incoming call was from Margaret.
Daniel called.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Then Emily’s phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
One text.
She opened it.
A photograph appeared.
An old hospital nursery.
Two bassinets.
One held a baby girl.
The other, a baby boy.
Across the bottom of the image were handwritten words.
YOU WERE BOTH TAKEN FOR A REASON.
Then a second message arrived.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY, COME WITHOUT ELEANOR.
Below it was an address.
Emily recognized the town.
Connecticut.
Daniel looked at her.
“We’re going.”
Eleanor stood.
“No.”
Emily stared at her.
“You don’t get to decide anymore.”
Eleanor’s voice dropped.
“You don’t understand my sister.”
Emily held up the phone.
“Then maybe it’s time I did.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with real fear.
“If Margaret has contacted you, this is not about finding the truth anymore.”
May you like
Daniel asked, “What is it about?”
Eleanor whispered, “Finishing what she started.”
