Chapter 10 - The Grave With No NameI drove to the cemetery alone.
The grave was real.
The stone was real.
But something was wrong.
The name on the stone wasn't Eleanor Carter.
It was:
Elena Carver.
Same birth year.
Same death year.
Wrong identity.
I called the cemetery office.
They checked the records.
“Who purchased the plot?”
A pause.
“Richard Vale Foundation.”
I felt sick.
“Who signed the contract?”
“Daniel Carter.”
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Everything came back to Daniel.
I sat on the bench facing the grave.
I suddenly remembered my childhood.
My mother had always been secretive.
She never talked about work.
Never let me see her paperwork.
Never allowed photographs of certain people in the house.
I thought she was simply private.
Maybe she was hiding me.
Maybe she was hiding herself.
A car stopped behind me.
Daniel stepped out.
“You came here.”
“Yes.”
He looked at the grave.
“She wanted you protected.”
“From you?”
“From Richard.”
“Then why did you sign the grave?”
“Because he told me to.”
“You still obeyed him.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
I stared at him.
“You're going to have to stop saying that.”
He looked at me.
“Why?”
“Because every time you say you're protecting me, another secret appears.”
He swallowed.
“What did you find?”
“The name.”
He nodded.
“My mother wasn't buried under her real identity.”
“No.”
“Who changed it?”
“You did?”
“I signed.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard had someone watching the cemetery.”
I shook my head.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It does when you understand how he works.”
“Then explain.”
Daniel came closer.
“Richard never threatens people directly.”
“He doesn't?”
“No.”
“He creates situations where people threaten each other.”
I stared.
“The children?”
“Melissa.”
“Melissa was manipulated.”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
“I was manipulated too.”
“You're still responsible.”
“I know.”
I looked at the grave.
“What happened to my mother?”
Daniel's face changed.
“She was killed.”
The words landed like a blow.
“You told me she died of a heart attack.”
“I lied.”
“You lied about my mother's death?”
“Yes.”
“Who killed her?”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“We never proved it.”
“Who was suspected?”
He hesitated.
“Mark Harris.”
The man from the photograph.
“The baby's father?”
“Yes.”
“Why would Mark kill her?”
“Because he thought she knew where the money was.”
“What money?”
“The money Richard had stolen.”
I stared at him.
“So this began before me.”
“Yes.”
“Then why am I involved?”
Daniel looked away.
“Because your mother left the evidence to you.”
I remembered the metal box.
“The USB.”
“Yes.”
“You knew it existed.”
“Yes.”
“You've been looking for it.”
“Yes.”
I stepped back.
“Why?”
“Because Richard wanted it.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because the moment Richard knows you have it, he will come after you.”
I stared.
“Too late.”
Daniel frowned.
“What?”
I pointed toward the street.
A black SUV was parked across from the cemetery.
Same vehicle.
Same license plate.
Someone was inside.
Daniel turned.
The SUV's engine started.
Then it disappeared.
My phone rang.
One new text.
You found the box.
Another followed.
Now find the woman who has the missing half.
I looked at Daniel.
“What woman?”
He knew immediately.
His face went white.
“Rachel…”
“Who?”
May you like
He whispered:
“Melissa.”
