Chapter 5 - THE WITNESS WHO DISAPPEARED
The photograph changed everything.
The room that had once belonged to the Beaumont family now belonged to the truth.
Marcus replayed the image again.
Daniel Cross.
Standing beside Preston Beaumont.
Standing beside Sheriff Pike.
Six years ago.
Before his supposed death.
Claire watched her father carefully.
She had never seen him look like this.
Not angry.
Not afraid.
Something worse.
Betrayed.
“Dad.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Daniel was my partner.”
Claire remained silent.
“He was the only person who knew everything.”
“Everything about what?”
Marcus looked at the documents.
“About people like the Beaumonts.”
Preston shook his head.
“You’re creating a fantasy.”
Marcus turned.
“Then why are you sweating?”
The room became quiet.
Preston looked away.
A small reaction.
But enough.
Claire noticed too.
“He’s lying.”
Vivienne immediately answered.
“Your daughter is confused.”
Marcus stepped forward.
“Stop calling her that.”
Vivienne froze.
“Calling her what?”
“Confused.”
Marcus’s voice became colder.
“You used that word because it was easier than admitting the truth.”
Claire lowered her eyes.
Because she remembered every time they had said it.
Every time they made her question herself.
Every time they convinced everyone else that she was unstable.
Preston suddenly moved toward Marcus.
“You’re ruining my family.”
Marcus looked at him.
“No.”
“I’m revealing it.”
Preston smiled.
“You think Claire is innocent?”
Marcus said nothing.
Preston continued.
“She never told you everything.”
Claire’s face changed.
Marcus looked at her.
“Claire?”
She became pale.
“I…”
Preston smiled.
“There it is.”
“The truth.”
Marcus waited.
Claire’s hands trembled.
“I found the files because I was searching for information about Daniel.”
Marcus looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I saw his name.”
“Where?”
“In Preston’s private office.”
The entire room changed.
Marcus stared at Preston.
Claire continued.
“There was a hidden drawer.”
“I found pictures.”
“Records.”
“Names.”
She swallowed.
“And I saw Daniel.”
Marcus whispered.
“Alive.”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
A long silence followed.
Then Sheriff Pike spoke.
“You should have left those files alone.”
Everyone looked at him.
Because it was the first honest sentence he had said all night.
Marcus slowly turned.
“Why?”
Pike looked down.
Because even he knew there was no way back now.
“Because some things are buried for a reason.”
Marcus walked closer.
“No.”
“People are buried.”
“Secrets are hidden.”
Pike’s face hardened.
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
Marcus smiled slightly.
“I’ve heard that twice tonight.”
A pause.
“Both times from people who were scared.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
The security system made a strange sound.
ACCESS OVERRIDE ATTEMPT.
Marcus looked at the panel.
Someone was trying to break the lockdown.
Vivienne smiled.
For the first time in minutes.
“Your little game is ending.”
Marcus watched the screen.
Then he saw the name.
REMOTE ACCESS USER:
DANIEL CROSS.
Everyone froze.
Claire whispered.
“He’s alive.”
Marcus stared at the screen.
And for the first time that night…
he wondered if Daniel wasn’t trying to escape.
May you like
Maybe he was trying to get inside.
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