Chapter 7 - My Sister Wasn't the VictimHarris shouted for Claire to show herself.
Nothing.
Then footsteps moved away.
We searched the attic, but she was gone.
There was no second exit.
Only old beams, insulation, and a narrow path leading toward the chimney.
I couldn't breathe properly.
Claire was alive.
She had been near me for years.
Maybe.
Or at least recently.
And she knew Vanessa.
Worse, she knew Nora.
I sat on the attic floor.
Harris crouched nearby.
“Tell me everything you remember about your sister.”
“She was eighteen when she disappeared.”
“What was she like?”
“Protective.”
“Any history with Marcus?”
“Not that I knew.”
“Did she have money problems?”
“No.”
“Enemies?”
“No.”
Harris looked at the ring.
“Then why would she tell you not to marry your wife?”
I didn't answer.
Because I already knew.
There had been one strange thing about Vanessa from the beginning.
She had never wanted a wedding.
She had wanted a quiet courthouse ceremony.
No family.
No friends.
No photographs.
At the time, I'd thought she was nervous.
Now I wondered whether she was hiding from the past.
We went downstairs.
Vanessa was sitting with Nora.
She had a bruise forming where she'd hit the edge of the kitchen counter.
I looked at her.
“You knew Claire was alive.”
“I knew she might be.”
“You knew she was connected to Marcus.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she had seen Nora.”
“I suspected.”
I slammed my hand against the counter.
“Stop saying that word.”
Vanessa flinched.
“Tell me the truth.”
She stared at me.
“Claire wasn't a victim.”
I stopped.
“What?”
“She helped Marcus.”
Harris looked up.
Vanessa continued.
“She found families. She found children.”
Nora covered her ears.
I immediately lowered my voice.
“You're saying my sister was involved?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did she disappear?”
“Because she turned against him.”
“Why?”
“Because of Nora.”
Vanessa's voice became softer.
“Claire discovered what Marcus did to the children.”
“What did he do?”
“I don't know all of it.”
“Vanessa.”
“He sold information. He arranged illegal transfers. He threatened parents. He kept records.”
Harris said, “And Claire?”
“She started secretly helping children escape.”
I stared.
“So she wasn't helping Marcus anymore.”
“No.”
“She was helping you.”
“Yes.”
“Then why hide it?”
“Because Marcus was looking for her.”
Nora suddenly spoke.
“Aunt Claire told me Mommy didn't save me.”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“That isn't true.”
Nora's voice shook.
“You left me.”
“I was trying to come back.”
“You didn't.”
“I know.”
Nora turned away.
I sat beside her.
She leaned against me.
I whispered, “Did Claire tell you why she was hiding you?”
Nora nodded.
“She said we had to wait.”
“For what?”
“For the right person.”
“Who?”
She looked at me.
“You.”
I felt my throat tighten.
“Why me?”
“Because Daddy trusts you.”
I stared.
“Marcus trusts me?”
Nora nodded.
“He said he always wins.”
Harris stood.
“We need to move the child somewhere secure.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I agree.”
Before we could leave, a loud crash came from the garage.
Harris drew his weapon.
“Stay here.”
He moved toward the door.
I followed.
A second crash.
Then the garage lights came on by themselves.
A car stood inside.
The engine was running.
The driver's door hung open.
On the seat was a thick brown envelope.
I walked closer.
Harris held out an arm.
“Don't touch it.”
The envelope had my name on it.
RYAN CARTER
I opened it with a gloved hand.
Inside were photographs.
Claire.
Vanessa.
Nora.
Me.
All taken over different years.
The last photograph showed me asleep beside Vanessa.
Taken from inside our bedroom.
On the back, someone had written:
THE CHILD WAS NEVER THE SECRET.
I looked at Harris.
“What is?”
A second note fell from the envelope.
May you like
I read it.
ASK VANESSA WHO LILY'S REAL FATHER IS.
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