Chapter 25 - The Woman Who Survived We escaped through an alley.
Thomas led us to an old marina.
Only when we were safely inside a fishing boat did he finally speak.
"Elena is alive."
"Where?"
"California."
"Why hide?"
"Because your father wasn't the only person she feared."
"Who else?"
Thomas looked at me.
"Claire."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"Claire found Elena years ago."
"Then why didn't she bring her home?"
"Because Elena refused."
"Why?"
"She said bringing her into your family would put Noah in danger."
I felt dizzy.
Noah looked confused.
"What does my mom have to do with Elena?"
Thomas answered softly.
"Everything."
Claire had been investigating a secret financial network that began before Carter Meridian existed.
She had discovered that Vanessa and Elliot were not the origin.
They were only beneficiaries.
The original money had belonged to a group of investors who had disappeared decades ago.
Thomas handed me a file.
On the cover:
PROJECT NORTHSTAR.
Inside was a photograph of my father.
Beside him stood Elena.
And a younger man.
I recognized him immediately.
Marcus Hale.
He had been working with my father long before I ever knew his name.
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This wasn't a conspiracy that began thirteen months ago.
It had been waiting for us for twenty years.
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