Chapter 2 - THE KEY
Ethan waited until the detective left.
Then he turned toward Claire.
“What does the key open?”
Claire held the ice pack tighter.
“I don’t know exactly.”
“You just said my mother has been hiding something.”
“She has.”
“Claire.”
She looked at him.
Eighteen months had passed since she had slept beside him.
Eighteen months since she packed one suitcase and disappeared from Hawthorne Manor.
Everyone had believed she left because her marriage was collapsing.
That was only partly true.
“I got a package three days ago.”
Claire said.
“From who?”
“Someone named Nora Bell.”
Ethan froze.
“Nora?”
“You know her?”
“She worked here for twenty-seven years.”
“Worked?”
“She died six months ago.”
Claire stared at him.
“Then someone mailed her package after she died.”
Ethan sat down.
“What was inside?”
“A note.”
“What did it say?”
Claire took out her phone.
She opened a photograph.
Ethan read the handwritten message.
CLAIRE.
IF YOU EVER RECEIVE THIS, IT MEANS I FAILED TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH MYSELF.
COME BACK TO HAWTHORNE MANOR.
THE KEY OPENS THE ROOM ELEANOR MADE US SEAL.
DO NOT TRUST THE FAMILY RECORDS.
Ethan read it twice.
“What room?”
“I was hoping you knew.”
He shook his head.
“There is no sealed room.”
Claire gave him a sad look.
“That’s exactly what your mother wants you to believe.”
A detective entered.
“We’re taking Mrs. Eleanor Hawthorne downtown for questioning.”
Ethan stood.
“Is she under arrest?”
“Not yet.”
Eleanor passed the library minutes later.
She stopped when she saw Claire.
“Tell them.”
Claire said.
Eleanor said nothing.
“Tell Ethan what the key opens.”
Eleanor’s gaze shifted to her son.
“You should take your wife home.”
Claire almost laughed.
“You tried to throw me off a balcony.”
“I tried to stop you from making another terrible mistake.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“What mistake?”
Eleanor finally looked frightened.
“Opening something that should remain closed.”
The officers guided her away.
Claire watched until the front door shut.
Then Maria, the maid who had witnessed the push, entered quietly.
She locked the library door.
“I know where the room is.”
Claire and Ethan both turned.
Maria’s hands were shaking.
“Nora showed me once.”
“Where?”
Ethan asked.
May you like
Maria looked toward the ceiling.
“Under this house.”
