Chapter 23 - Thomas Reed We found Thomas Reed in a quiet coastal town.
He was seventy-two.
He opened the door.
Looked at me.
And immediately said:
"You're late."
I stared at him.
"You knew Claire?"
"I knew your father."
"Did you know she was investigating him?"
Thomas looked away.
"Claire discovered something your father buried."
"What?"
He invited us inside.
Old newspaper clippings covered one wall.
Birth records.
Bank transfers.
Photographs.
Thomas pointed to a picture.
The woman from the envelope.
"Who is she?"
"Elena Cole."
"Why does she matter?"
Thomas sighed.
"Because she was your father's business partner."
"That's impossible."
"Your father told everyone she died in 1998."
My skin went cold.
"She didn't?"
"No."
Thomas looked at Noah.
"Your aunt discovered Elena was alive."
"Where?"
Thomas opened a drawer.
Inside was a photograph of a hospital.
Then he gave me a second photograph.
A newborn baby.
The name written on the back made my heart stop.
CLAIRE MARIE COLE.
Noah stared at me.
"Uncle Dan?"
I couldn't speak.
May you like
Because suddenly, the entire story had another door.
And Claire had left it locked.
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