Chapter 14 - THE LAST PERSON IN THE HOUSE
Elliot’s death looked like suicide.
Nina didn’t believe it.
Neither did Chadworth.
There were too many loose ends.
Rachel was still missing.
The foundation money had moved through six countries.
And somebody had killed the one man who knew every piece of the plan.
Sabina refused to talk.
Her attorneys claimed she was being framed.
Kelly Morrow entered protective custody.
Dr. Vale cooperated.
Then Rachel called Chadworth.
Three days after Gemma came home.
He answered on the first ring.
“Where are you?”
“Don’t hang up.”
“Where are you?”
“I didn’t know they would hurt the girls.”
His voice became ice.
“You changed Gemma’s school permissions.”
“Sabina told me it was for emergencies.”
“You blocked Rosamund’s messages.”
“Elliot told me she was unstable.”
“You deleted Elizabeth’s letter.”
Rachel started crying.
“I was scared.”
Chadworth closed his eyes.
“Of what?”
“Elliot.”
“Why?”
“He knew about my brother.”
“What about him?”
“He owed money. Elliot fixed it.”
“And then owned you.”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Chadworth walked into his study and shut the door.
“Why are you calling?”
“Because Elliot didn’t kill himself.”
“I know.”
“I know who did.”
Chadworth froze.
“Who?”
Rachel whispered:
“Marcus Hale.”
The room went silent.
Chadworth almost laughed.
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Marcus saved my daughter.”
“I know.”
“He has protected my family for twelve years.”
“I know.”
“Then why would he kill Elliot?”
“Because Elliot was about to identify the person who started all this.”
Chadworth’s blood went cold.
“Sabina started it.”
“No.”
Rachel was crying harder now.
“Sabina joined it.”
Chadworth sat slowly.
“Who started it?”
Rachel whispered:
“Your brother.”
Chadworth stopped breathing.
He had one brother.
Grant Prescott.
Older.
Estranged.
Living in London.
They hadn’t spoken in seven years.
Grant had left the family company after a brutal board fight.
He blamed Chadworth for forcing him out.
Chadworth whispered, “Grant?”
“He financed Sabina’s family debt.”
“Why?”
“To get her close to you.”
His mind raced.
“What does Marcus have to do with it?”
“I don’t know exactly. But Elliot was terrified of him.”
“Where are you?”
Rachel gave an address.
An old motel outside Albany.
“Don’t tell Marcus.”
The line went dead.
Chadworth turned.
Marcus was standing in the doorway.
“How long have you been there?”
Marcus looked at him.
“Long enough.”
Chadworth’s pulse hammered.
“Did you kill Elliot?”
Marcus shut the door.
“Chad.”
“Answer me.”
“No.”
“Did you know Grant was involved?”
Marcus hesitated.
That was worse than yes.
Chadworth backed toward his desk.
“You knew.”
“I suspected.”
“For how long?”
“Two days.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I needed proof.”
Chadworth laughed bitterly.
“Apparently everyone in my life loves that sentence.”
Marcus ignored it.
“Rachel is bait.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
“How?”
“Because the motel address she gave you doesn’t exist.”
Chadworth stared.
Marcus placed his phone on the desk.
Satellite image.
The supposed motel had burned down six years earlier.
Chadworth felt a chill.
“Then where is she?”
Marcus said, “Inside this house.”
A noise came from the hallway.
Glass breaking.
Then Lorelai screamed.
Chadworth ran.
He found Rosamund on the floor near the kitchen.
Blood on her forehead.
Lorelai stood against the wall.
And Rachel was holding Gemma by the shoulders.
Again.
But this time Rachel wasn’t alone.
An older man stepped from the shadows.
Gray hair.
Expensive coat.
Cold eyes Chadworth recognized from his own childhood.
May you like
Grant Prescott smiled.
“Hello, little brother.”
