Chapter 9 - THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES
The truth didn't arrive all at once.
It came in pieces.
A photograph.
A medical record.
A sealed adoption file.
A frightened woman's testimony.
And finally, a confession from someone who had spent twenty-seven years hiding.
Three days after Evelyn Price's interview, Detective Brooks called me to the sheriff's office.
Rachel came with me.
Anna was there too.
She looked healthier than the last time I'd seen her, though her hands still trembled when she reached for her coffee.
When she saw me, she stood.
For a moment, we simply looked at each other.
Then she crossed the room and embraced me.
"Thank you for saving my babies," she whispered.
I held her tightly.
"They saved themselves, Anna. They were very brave."
She began crying.
I did too.
When we finally sat down, Detective Brooks opened a folder.
"We have confirmation that Anna's birth records were altered."
Anna went pale.
"What?"
"Samuel Whitmore was your legal father, but he wasn't your biological father."
Anna stared at the detective.
"My mother died when I was six. Dad never said anything about adoption."
Brooks nodded.
"We believe Samuel was protecting you."
"From whom?"
The detective looked at me.
Then back at Anna.
"Your biological mother was a woman named Rebecca Lane."
Anna shook her head.
"I've never heard that name."
"Rebecca worked as a laboratory technician at Meridian Clinical Research."
My stomach tightened.
"And your father?" Anna whispered.
Brooks turned another page.
"We haven't established his identity."
Anna pressed her hands together.
"Then why did Samuel raise me?"
"Rebecca disappeared shortly after your birth. Samuel became your legal guardian through a private adoption arrangement."
I stared at the photograph of Caroline.
"Where does my sister fit into this?"
Brooks took a breath.
"Caroline discovered that Meridian was conducting unauthorized research and falsifying records. Rebecca had evidence. They were working together."
"And Rebecca disappeared?"
"Yes."
Anna closed her eyes.
Brooks continued.
"Caroline appears to have helped Samuel protect Anna after Rebecca vanished."
I whispered, "Then Caroline was protecting her."
"That's our working theory."
Anna began crying.
"My dad knew all of this?"
"Some of it, certainly."
"And he never told me."
Brooks leaned forward.
"Anna, people sometimes keep secrets because they're afraid. That doesn't make the secrecy harmless, but it may explain his decisions."
Anna stared at the table.
Then whispered, "He loved me."
"Everything we've learned suggests he did."
For several moments, the room was silent.
Then Brooks placed another photograph before us.
It showed a man standing outside a medical office.
Gray hair.
Expensive suit.
Cold expression.
"Do either of you recognize him?"
Anna stiffened.
"That's the Chairman."
My heart hammered.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
Brooks leaned forward.
"How do you know?"
"Victor showed me his photograph once. He told me never to speak his name."
"Did he tell you who he was?"
Anna nodded slowly.
"His name is Richard Voss."
Brooks exchanged a look with another investigator.
Richard Voss was the former chief executive of Northstar Health Holdings.
He had retired publicly years earlier.
But investigators believed he continued controlling several companies through intermediaries.
He was also the executive who had overseen Meridian during Caroline's disappearance.
My hands began shaking.
"Did he kill my sister?"
"We don't know," Brooks said.
"Did he kill Thomas?"
"We're reopening the investigation into your husband's death."
I stared at Voss's photograph.
For twenty-seven years, I had imagined the person who took Caroline from me.
Now I was looking at a man who might know what happened.
Then Brooks's phone rang.
She listened.
Her expression changed.
"Where?"
A pause.
"Is he alive?"
She stood.
"We'll be there."
She ended the call.
"Victor Hale has been found."
Anna recoiled.
"Where?"
"At a motel outside Dayton."
"Did he surrender?"
Brooks shook her head.
"He was injured during an apparent confrontation with another person. Officers took him into custody after motel staff called for help."
"Is he going to live?" Anna asked.
"Doctors believe so."
I didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
Then Brooks said, "He asked for you, Margaret."
I stared at her.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"He says he knows where Caroline Bennett is."
My breath caught.
"Is she alive?"
Brooks hesitated.
"He claims she is."
I felt Rachel's hand close around mine.
Then the detective added, "But he says he won't reveal her location unless you speak to him."
I looked at Anna.
Her eyes were full of fear.
"Don't go," she whispered.
I squeezed her hand.
"I'm not going anywhere without the detective."
That evening, Brooks arranged a supervised interview at the hospital where Victor was being treated.
He lay in bed with one arm bandaged and a deputy stationed outside.
When he saw me, he smiled.
"Margaret Ellis."
I remained standing.
"Where is my sister?"
He studied me.
"You look like her."
"Where is Caroline?"
He sighed.
"Still asking the wrong questions."
I stepped closer.
"Then tell me the right one."
His smile faded.
"Ask why your husband kept the evidence for so many years."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"Ask why Thomas didn't turn it over when he had the chance."
"Because he was afraid."
Victor laughed softly.
"That's what you think?"
Detective Brooks stepped forward.
"Mr. Hale, if you have information, provide it."
Victor ignored her.
He looked directly at me.
"Your husband wasn't just protecting the evidence."
My mouth went dry.
"What was he protecting?"
Victor leaned back.
Then whispered, "The person who gave it to him."
I felt the room grow cold.
"Caroline?"
He smiled.
"Maybe."
I gripped the back of a chair.
"Tell me where she is."
Victor closed his eyes.
"She's closer than you think."
Before I could speak again, the heart monitor began beeping rapidly.
A nurse entered.
The interview ended.
But as Brooks guided me toward the door, Victor opened his eyes one last time.
May you like
And whispered four words.
"Ask your daughter, Margaret."
