Chapter 14 - THE LAST PERSON THEY EXPECTED
The black car disappeared before police could reach it.
Matthew spent hours at the hospital.
Ethan survived.
Barely.
The sniper had been identified as one of Robert's former associates.
But Robert denied ordering the shooting.
Matthew didn't believe him.
Then the police found the black car.
It belonged to Evelyn.
Matthew stared at the report.
"My mother?"
Grace shook her head.
"She said her car was stolen."
Matthew looked at Jessica.
Jessica whispered:
"She's lying."
They confronted Evelyn.
She finally broke.
"I met Robert last night."
Matthew's face hardened.
"Why?"
"He said he could save Ethan."
"You knew he was planning the shooting."
"No."
She began crying.
"I swear."
Matthew stepped closer.
"Then who ordered it?"
Evelyn looked at Grace.
"Her father."
Grace froze.
"What?"
"Thomas."
The room went silent.
Matthew shook his head.
"He's been helping us."
Evelyn whispered:
"Not completely."
They found Thomas at the old estate.
He didn't run.
He simply sat on the porch.
Grace approached him.
"Dad."
He looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I knew Ethan would come."
"You knew?"
"I thought Robert would stop him."
Matthew stepped forward.
"You used my children."
Thomas looked at him.
"I wanted the trust exposed."
"Why?"
"Because that money belonged to your father."
Matthew frowned.
"What?"
Thomas explained.
Years ago, Matthew's father had secretly stolen money from Thomas's company.
Not for himself.
To build the family trust.
He intended to return it.
But Robert intercepted the funds.
The money had been hidden in Matthew's children's trust ever since.
Thomas wanted the truth revealed.
But he had gone too far.
Matthew stared.
"You put my sons in danger."
Thomas lowered his head.
"I know."
Grace cried.
"You were supposed to protect us."
"I failed."
Police arrested Thomas.
Matthew watched silently.
Then he turned to Grace.
"I thought this was over."
She shook her head.
"It is."
"No."
Matthew held up the ledger.
"Not until we know where every dollar went."
The investigation lasted weeks.
Michael confessed.
Daniel confessed.
Evelyn cooperated.
Robert was convicted.
Thomas faced charges.
Ethan survived.
Jessica returned home.
And the children slowly began sleeping through the night.
But one evening, Matthew found Grace sitting alone on the back porch.
"Leaving?"
She looked up.
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"Because this was never supposed to become my life."
Matthew sat beside her.
"I know."
She smiled faintly.
"You don't need a cleaning lady."
"I know."
"You don't need someone pretending to be your nanny."
"I know."
"Then why am I still here?"
Matthew looked at her.
"Because my sons love you."
Grace smiled.
"And you?"
Matthew paused.
"I trust you."
She looked at him.
"That's not what I asked."
Matthew smiled.
"Then stay long enough for me to figure out the answer."
Grace laughed softly.
For the first time, the house felt warm.
But the next morning, Matthew received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of his father.
On the back:
You still don't know the truth about Jessica's disappearance.
Matthew stared at the words.
Then he looked toward the kitchen.
Jessica was making breakfast.
Benjamin and Caleb were laughing.
Grace was helping them.
Everything seemed normal.
But Matthew knew better.
He opened the envelope.
A second photograph fell out.
Jessica standing beside another man.
A man Matthew had never seen before.
May you like
And beneath it were four words.
Ask your wife about him.
