Chapter 4 - SIX YEARS IN THE DARK
Elise told me everything.
Six years earlier, she had discovered that my family's company was being used to move stolen money through shell corporations.
The money was controlled by a group of investors who had connections to politicians, judges, bankers, and private security companies.
Elise had found evidence.
She had planned to expose them.
Then she disappeared.
“They staged the accident,” she said.
“Why didn't you come back?”
“They threatened Perrin.”
I looked toward the stairs.
“They told me that if I escaped, they would kill him.”
“So you stayed?”
“I had no choice.”
I wanted to be angry.
Instead, I pulled her into my arms.
She cried against my chest.
For six years, I had mourned her.
For six years, she had been alive.
“What about Rhea?”
Elise looked away.
“She found me.”
My body went rigid.
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
“She knew you were alive?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did she come into my life?”
Elise's expression broke.
“To get close to Perrin.”
I suddenly remembered every strange thing Rhea had done.
The way she insisted Perrin sleep alone.
The way she replaced his toys.
The way she never allowed him to call Elise's old number.
The way she became nervous whenever I mentioned the past.
I had mistaken control for concern.
I had mistaken manipulation for love.
Elise reached into her coat.
She handed me a small memory card.
“This is why they were willing to kill me.”
I stared at it.
“What is on it?”
“Everything.”
Before I could ask another question, the lights went out.
Perrin screamed upstairs.
We ran.
His bedroom door was open.
His bed was empty.
The window was broken.
On the floor was a single piece of paper.
I picked it up.
Three words were written across it.
YOU CHOSE WRONG, EVAN.
Elise grabbed my arm.
“No.”
“What?”
“They took him.”
We rushed outside.
A black SUV disappeared down the road.
I ran after it.
But it was already gone.
Then my phone rang.
Rhea.
I answered.
Her voice was calm.
“Bring the memory card.”
I said nothing.
May you like
“Or Perrin disappears forever.”
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