Chapter 7 - GRACE'S REAL NAME
Matthew felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath him.
"Jessica had a sister?"
Evelyn nodded.
"An older half-sister."
"Why didn't I know?"
"Because Jessica cut ties with her."
"Why?"
"They had different fathers."
Matthew shook his head.
"That doesn't explain anything."
Evelyn sighed.
"Grace's real name is Grace Whitmore."
Matthew stared.
"Whitmore?"
His mother's face hardened.
"Her father was Thomas Whitmore."
Matthew knew that name.
Everyone in Seattle's shipping industry did.
Thomas Whitmore had once been his father's biggest competitor.
He had died in prison after being convicted of financial fraud.
"You're saying Grace is his daughter?"
"Yes."
Matthew's mind raced.
"Then why would she come here?"
"To investigate what happened to Jessica."
"And she used a fake identity?"
"Yes."
Matthew remembered her calm expression.
The way she had immediately understood his children.
The way she had known things she shouldn't have known.
He felt betrayed.
But beneath the anger was something else.
A strange realization.
Grace had never tried to hurt him.
She had protected his children.
She had comforted them.
She had risked herself.
Maybe her reasons were complicated.
But her actions weren't.
Matthew took the notebook.
"Where's the drive?"
"In my office."
"You're not coming."
Evelyn stared.
"I need to."
"Why?"
"Because Michael won't stop."
She looked at him.
"I helped create this."
Matthew studied her.
Then nodded.
They drove to Harbor Island.
The warehouse stood near the water.
Dark.
Abandoned.
Rain hammered the roof.
Matthew entered alone.
Michael stood in the center.
Daniel beside him.
Grace was tied to a chair.
Her face was bruised.
Matthew's blood ran cold.
"Let her go."
Michael smiled.
"Give me the drive."
Matthew held up the USB.
"First, Grace."
Michael laughed.
"You don't negotiate from weakness."
Matthew looked around.
"You think I'm weak?"
Michael shook his head.
"I think you're desperate."
Matthew slowly put the USB on the table.
Michael stepped toward it.
Then Grace shouted:
"Matthew, don't!"
Michael turned.
"What?"
Grace looked at Matthew.
"It's a trap."
Matthew stared.
Michael suddenly pulled a gun.
"Enough."
Daniel grabbed Grace.
Matthew raised his hands.
Michael picked up the drive.
"Do you know what's funny?"
"What?"
"Your wife trusted the wrong person."
Matthew's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Michael smiled.
"Grace."
Matthew looked at her.
Grace's eyes filled with tears.
Michael continued.
"She didn't come here just to protect Jessica."
Matthew's heart sank.
"She came because she wanted revenge."
Grace shouted:
"He's lying!"
Michael laughed.
"Ask her."
Matthew looked at Grace.
"Is he?"
She couldn't answer.
That hesitation destroyed him.
"Grace."
She whispered:
"Matthew..."
"Tell me the truth."
"I wanted to find out what happened to my sister."
"That's not what I asked."
She closed her eyes.
"Yes."
Matthew's face hardened.
"You used my children."
"No."
"You used me."
"No."
"You lied about who you were."
"I had to."
Michael raised the gun.
"Enough family drama."
Then suddenly the warehouse doors exploded open.
Police flooded inside.
Michael turned.
Daniel ran.
Chaos erupted.
Matthew tackled Michael.
The gun skidded across the floor.
Grace fell from the chair.
Evelyn screamed.
Within seconds, Michael was restrained.
Daniel was arrested.
Matthew turned toward Grace.
She was crying.
"I'm sorry."
Matthew stared at her.
Then said quietly:
"I don't know whether I can trust you."
Grace nodded.
"I understand."
But before anyone could say another word, an officer approached Matthew.
"Mr. Carter."
"What?"
"We found something in Michael's vehicle."
He handed Matthew a photograph.
Matthew looked at it.
It showed Jessica.
Alive.
Standing beside a bus station.
May you like
And beneath the photograph was a handwritten date.
Tomorrow.
