Chapter 18 - The Letter
That evening, after the guests left, Victoria returned to her office.
A sealed envelope waited on her desk.
No return address.
Her name was written by hand.
Victoria Thorne.
She opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Their father.
Standing beside a younger Charles Mercer.
And a third man.
Victoria stared at the photograph.
She didn't recognize him.
On the back were six words:
You still don't know the whole story.
Victoria's blood ran cold.
She immediately called Marcus.
"Where did this come from?"
"I don't know."
"Find out."
She studied the photograph.
There was something familiar about the third man.
Then she saw the ring on his finger.
A black stone surrounded by a silver serpent.
Evelyn had once described that ring.
Years ago.
She had called it the symbol of the man who helped Eleanor's family disappear.
Victoria's expression changed.
Someone had been watching them.
Someone who had never been arrested.
Someone who had waited until Eleanor was gone.
Victoria walked to the window.
The ocean was black beneath the moon.
Behind her, the door opened.
Mia stood there.
"What happened?"
Victoria turned.
For a moment, she considered hiding the letter.
Then she remembered the promise she had made.
No more secrets.
She handed Mia the photograph.
Mia stared at it.
"Who is that?"
Victoria whispered:
"I don't know."
A pause.
May you like
"But I'm going to find out."
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