Chapter 10 - The Dead Man's NameMark couldn't breathe.
"My father died twenty years ago."
Eleanor's eyes remained fixed on him.
"Not the man you're thinking of."
"What are you saying?"
She tried to sit up.
Daniel stopped her.
"Don't move."
Eleanor looked at him.
"You never told him."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Told me what?"
Eleanor whispered:
"Your father had another identity."
Mark stared.
"My father was William Hale."
"Yes."
"And he was dead."
"Officially."
Mark felt dizzy.
Eleanor continued.
"He disappeared before you were born."
"Why?"
"Because he was involved in financial crimes."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"There were rumors."
"Not rumors," Eleanor said.
"Records."
She explained that William had created shell companies to hide money.
One of those companies eventually became North Vale Holdings.
Thomas Cross had inherited control.
But William had remained behind the scenes.
Mark felt sick.
"My father controlled North Vale?"
"Yes."
"Then why did you keep it from me?"
"Because he threatened Lily."
Mark looked at his daughter.
Eleanor reached for Lily.
The little girl immediately rushed into her arms.
Lily cried against her mother's chest.
"I knew you were alive."
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"I wanted to come home."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Because every time I tried, someone found me."
Mark looked at Daniel.
"Who?"
Eleanor whispered:
"Victoria."
"But you said she didn't order your death."
"She covered it up."
"Who ordered it?"
Eleanor hesitated.
Then she said:
"Richard."
Mark clenched his fists.
"Richard works for my father?"
"He believes William is still alive."
Daniel looked shocked.
"That's impossible."
Eleanor met his eyes.
"No."
"He contacted me last month."
Mark stared.
"Where is he?"
Eleanor looked toward the road.
"I don't know."
Then her expression changed.
"Wait."
She reached into her coat.
Pulled out a small envelope.
"This is why they wanted me dead."
Mark opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
William Hale.
Alive.
Taken three months ago.
Standing outside the exact mansion where Mark currently lived.
On the back was a handwritten note.
YOUR FATHER HAS NEVER LEFT.
Mark looked toward the mansion.
Every window was dark.
Except one.
The light in his father's old study was on.
Mark had never entered that room.
Not once.
Eleanor gripped his arm.
"Don't go inside."
Mark stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because the last person who went in..."
She swallowed.
"...never came out."
A floorboard creaked inside the house.
Then the study door slowly opened.
Someone stepped into the hallway.
Mark couldn't see the face.
But he recognized the voice.
"Hello, son."
May you like
William Hale was standing inside his house.
Alive.
