Chapter 5 - The Blue House
Adrian moved Marissa and Owen into a guest cottage on his property that night.
She resisted.
He understood why.
"I don't want you to think I'm buying your trust," Adrian said.
"I'm not worried about that."
"What are you worried about?"
Marissa looked at him.
"That everyone around us has been lying for years."
Adrian couldn't argue.
By morning, Walter had arrived with a stack of documents.
"I found something."
He placed an old property map on the table.
There was a blue house marked near the edge of Whitmore's original construction yard.
Adrian frowned.
"I've never seen this."
"Because it isn't on the current property records."
"Why?"
Walter pointed to a handwritten note.
"Your grandfather owned it secretly."
Marissa stared at the map.
"Daniel mentioned a blue house."
Adrian grabbed his coat.
They drove there together.
The house stood beyond an abandoned section of the old construction yard.
Its paint had faded.
The windows were boarded.
But beneath the weathered exterior, traces of blue remained.
Adrian unlocked the door with a key Walter had found in his grandfather's files.
Inside, dust covered everything.
There was an old kitchen.
A bedroom.
A child's room.
And photographs.
Dozens of them.
Adrian entered the child's bedroom.
On the wall were pictures of a little boy.
At three.
At five.
At seven.
Adrian's breath caught.
"Evan."
The boy had Daniel's eyes.
But there was something else.
The boy's face resembled Adrian's mother.
Marissa covered her mouth.
"Where did these come from?"
Walter answered quietly.
"Your grandfather was protecting him."
Adrian turned.
"From my father?"
"Yes."
"Where is he now?"
Walter shook his head.
"We don't know."
Adrian searched every drawer.
Under the bed.
Inside the closet.
Nothing.
Then Marissa noticed a loose floorboard.
She knelt.
Underneath was a metal box.
Inside were letters.
One was addressed to Adrian's mother.
Another to Daniel.
And the final one was addressed to Evan.
Adrian opened the letter to Daniel.
Richard knows about Evan. He has threatened to expose Daniel's paternity unless you cooperate. I have moved the child somewhere safe. Do not tell Adrian. He is too young.
Adrian's eyes filled with tears.
His grandfather had protected Evan.
His mother had tried to protect him.
Daniel had sacrificed himself.
And his father had spent years hiding everything.
Then they found a final document.
A school enrollment form.
Student:
Evan Keane Whitmore
Age:
Twenty-eight.
Adrian stared.
"He's alive."
Marissa grabbed his arm.
"Where?"
The school address was in Vermont.
They drove there the next morning.
The school secretary confirmed that Evan had attended years earlier.
But he had left after receiving a scholarship.
"Do you have an address?"
The woman hesitated.
"We can't release that."
Adrian didn't argue.
He left his business card.
"Please give him this."
Three hours later, Adrian's phone rang.
An unknown number.
A man's voice said:
"Why are you looking for me?"
Adrian stopped walking.
"Evan?"
Silence.
"Who told you about me?"
"Your father."
A bitter laugh.
"My father?"
Adrian closed his eyes.
"I think we have the same father."
"No."
"You do."
"No," the man repeated. "I have one father. His name was Daniel Keane."
Adrian's throat tightened.
"Then you know he didn't abandon you."
Silence.
"He tried to protect you."
Evan's voice became colder.
"Where was he when I needed him?"
"He was trying to expose the people who took you."
"You don't understand."
"Then help me understand."
Another pause.
Finally Evan said:
"I'll meet you."
"Where?"
"The blue house."
Adrian looked at Marissa.
She had heard everything.
Evan continued:
"Come alone."
The call ended.
But Adrian knew immediately that he couldn't go alone.
May you like
Someone had been watching them.
And if Evan was willing to return to the blue house, there was a reason.
