Chapter 12 - VICTOR HALE
Victor Hale lived under another name.
He was older now.
Gray-haired.
Quiet.
When I entered his office, he didn't look surprised.
“You finally came.”
I stared at him.
“You knew my father.”
“I knew him better than anyone.”
“Did you kill my mother?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
Victor looked toward the window.
“Your father.”
I felt the floor disappear beneath me.
“What?”
“Not intentionally.”
He explained that my parents had been investigating financial fraud connected to a group of investors.
The night of the accident, my father was supposed to meet Victor.
Instead, someone sabotaged their vehicle.
My mother died.
My father survived.
He spent the rest of his life searching for the people responsible.
“And Brendan?”
Victor nodded.
“His grandfather was involved.”
I couldn't breathe.
“The Fairchild family has been connected to this for decades.”
Victor handed me a file.
Inside was a photograph.
My father.
Eleanor's father.
Victor.
And another man.
Brendan's grandfather.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
If Nora ever calls Raymond, give her the truth.
I looked at Victor.
“Why didn't my father tell me?”
“Because he wanted you to live.”
Then the door opened.
Samantha walked inside.
Alive.
Bruised.
Terrified.
I ran toward her.
“Brendan didn't take me,” she whispered.
“Who did?”
May you like
She looked at Victor.
“His mother.”
