CHAPTER 12 The Woman in the Locked Room
The bedroom door was locked.
Daniel slammed his shoulder against it.
"Mother!"
No answer.
Emma and Noah stood behind him.
The police arrived seconds later.
The detective ordered everyone back.
The lock was broken.
The door opened.
Victoria was inside.
Sitting on the floor.
Alive.
But terrified.
Her expensive black dress was torn.
A photograph lay beside her.
Daniel rushed forward.
"Are you okay?"
Victoria looked at him.
But she wasn't looking at her son.
She was looking at Noah.
"You came back."
Noah stared.
"Yes."
Victoria's face turned pale.
"I thought you were gone forever."
Noah smiled bitterly.
"You made sure of that."
Daniel looked between them.
"What happened?"
Victoria said nothing.
The detective picked up the photograph.
It was another picture.
But this time...
It showed Richard.
Victoria.
And a third person.
A woman.
A woman nobody recognized.
Emma picked it up.
"Who is she?"
Victoria looked away.
Noah answered.
"His first wife."
Daniel froze.
"What?"
Noah looked at him.
"Richard was already married when he met your mother."
The room became silent.
Emma looked at Victoria.
"Then..."
Noah nodded.
"Daniel wasn't Richard's first son."
Victoria whispered:
"Stop."
But Noah continued.
"He wasn't even the first secret child."
Daniel looked confused.
"How many?"
Noah looked at him.
"More than you know."
The detective stepped forward.
"What are you saying?"
Noah looked toward the dark hallway.
"The Harrington family tree..."
He paused.
"...is full of ghosts."
Suddenly, one of the officers shouted from downstairs.
"Detective!"
Everyone turned.
The officer ran up.
"We found something in Mr. Harrington's private vault."
Daniel asked:
"What?"
The officer held a file.
His face was serious.
"Records."
A pause.
"Of every child Richard Harrington ever had."
Emma's heart stopped.
"How many?"
The officer opened the file.
May you like
Then answered:
"Seven."
