Chapter 11 - THE WOMAN WHO DIEDJames stared at Adrian.

"My mother died seventeen years ago."

"I know."

"Then don't say things like that."

Adrian didn't move.

"Your mother died publicly."

James said nothing.

"Privately, she disappeared."

"You're lying."

Adrian shook his head.

"Your father found evidence she was alive after the funeral."

James felt dizzy.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because he was trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"The Mirror."

Adrian continued.

"Your mother was one of its first targets."

James remembered the stories.

His mother had become ill.

She died suddenly.

His father had stopped talking about her.

Nobody questioned it.

James had been fourteen.

Young enough to accept grief.

Old enough to remember one thing.

His mother had always been afraid of the rail yard.

"What was her name in the system?"

Adrian answered.

"Marianne Vale."

James froze.

"Vale?"

Adrian nodded.

"She took that name to survive."

"Connor's mother knew her?"

"Elena discovered Marianne was alive."

James looked toward the road.

"Then the woman in the SUV..."

"May be your mother."

James shook his head.

"No."

Adrian stepped closer.

"Connor's mother was killed because she found the records."

"And Tommy?"

"Tommy helped hide them."

James looked at him.

"Then why was Connor taken?"

"Because Connor knows where Elena hid the final drive."

"What drive?"

Adrian's eyes moved toward the rail yard.

"The original Mirror database."

James understood.

The ledger showed what they had done.

The drive showed how.

James called Elliot.

No answer.

He called again.

Nothing.

Then a video arrived.

Connor was sitting in a dark room.

Elliot was not there.

Connor looked directly at the camera.

His voice was calm.

"My mom told me if this happened, I should remember the train."

A hand moved into frame.

A woman spoke.

"Tell James where it is."

Connor stared into the camera.

"I won't."

The woman slapped the table.

Connor flinched.

James stepped forward.

The woman came into view.

James stopped breathing.

She looked older.

Gray hair.

Thin face.

But the eyes were unmistakable.

His mother.

Marianne.

She looked directly into the camera.

"James, I'm sorry."

The video ended.

James stood in silence.

Adrian whispered:

"Now we know where they took him."

"Where?"

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Adrian pointed at the tracks.

"The train that never left Austin."