Chapter 6: What Marcus Left Behind
They left the house forty minutes later.
Denise insisted on driving her own car, with Tiana in the passenger seat. Aaliyah rode with Charles, though she kept her phone 6: What Marcus Left Behind
They left the house forty minutes later.
Denise insisted on driving her own car, with Tiana in the passenger seat. Aaliyah rode with Charles, though she kept her phone in her hand and the doors locked.
Nobody spoke for the first several miles.
Charles drove through familiar Atlanta streets, past gas stations, neighborhood churches, and small businesses with in her hand and the doors locked.
Nobody spoke for the first several miles.
Charles drove through familiar Atlanta streets, past gas stations, neighborhood churches, and small businesses with faded signs. Every intersection seemed to remind Denise of another piece of the life she thought she understood.
She remembered Marcus taking Tiana for ice faded signs. Every intersection seemed to remind Denise of another piece of the life she thought she understood.
She remembered Marcus taking Tiana for ice cream after school.
She remembered him fixing the kitchen sink when Charles was away on business.
She remembered the cream after school.
She remembered him fixing the kitchen sink when Charles was away on business.
She remembered the night Marcus had called to tell them he was coming for Thanksgiving, only to cancel at the night Marcus had called to tell them he was coming for Thanksgiving, only to cancel at the last minute.
That had been three weeks before the funeral.
At the time, Charles said his brother had a work last minute.
That had been three weeks before the funeral.
At the time, Charles said his brother had a work emergency.
Now Denise wondered whether Marcus had already been running for his life.
Aaliyah watched the streets pass through the passenger window.
“Did Marcus tell you anything about me before he disappeared?”” she asked.
Charles kept his emergency.
Now Denise wondered whether Marcus had already been running for his life.
Aaliyah watched the streets pass through the passenger window.
“Did Marcus tell you anything about me before he disappeared?”” she asked.
Charles kept his eyes on the road.
“Yes.””
“What?””
“He told me he loved eyes on the road.
“Yes.””
“What?””
“He told me he loved you.””
Aaliyah's expression tightened.
“That isn't what I asked.””
Charles took a breath.
“He said he wanted to marry you.””
She you.””
Aaliyah's expression tightened.
“That isn't what I asked.””
Charles took a breath.
“He said he wanted to marry you.””
She turned toward him.
“He told you that?””
“He came to my house with a ring.””
Aaliyah stared at him.
“What?””
“Two days before turned toward him.
“He told you that?””
“He came to my house with a ring.””
Aaliyah stared at him.
“What?””
“Two days before he disappeared. He showed me the ring and asked whether I thought he was making a mistake.””
Her eyes filled.
“What did he disappeared. He showed me the ring and asked whether I thought he was making a mistake.””
Her eyes filled.
“What did you tell him?””
Charles's hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“I told him he had too much going on in his life to start a family.””
Aaliyah looked away.
“Of course you did.””
“I was worried about him.””
“You were always worried you tell him?””
Charles's hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“I told him he had too much going on in his life to start a family.””
Aaliyah looked away.
“Of course you did.””
“I was worried about him.””
“You were always worried about him when he wanted something you didn't think he deserved.””
Charles flinched.
“That isn't fair.””
“No? Marcus told me he wanted to ask you for your blessing. He was nervous about it. He said you about him when he wanted something you didn't think he deserved.””
Charles flinched.
“That isn't fair.””
“No? Marcus told me he wanted to ask you for your blessing. He was nervous about it. He said you were the only person whose opinion still mattered to him.””
Charles swallowed.
“And what did you tell him?””
Aaliyah looked at him.
“I told him that if he loved me, he were the only person whose opinion still mattered to him.””
Charles swallowed.
“And what did you tell him?””
Aaliyah looked at him.
“I told him that if he loved me, he should ask me, not you.””
For a moment, Charles seemed unable to breathe.
“He never told me that.””
“Because he was trying to should ask me, not you.””
For a moment, Charles seemed unable to breathe.
“He never told me that.””
“Because he was trying to protect your feelings.””
The words settled heavily between them.
Charles had spent years thinking he was the brother who understood Marcus best. He had mistaken being the protect your feelings.””
The words settled heavily between them.
Charles had spent years thinking he was the brother who understood Marcus best. He had mistaken being the older sibling for having the right to make his decisions.
Now, every memory seemed to reveal a different version of the same mistake.
They turned onto a quieter road lined with old warehouses and older sibling for having the right to make his decisions.
Now, every memory seemed to reveal a different version of the same mistake.
They turned onto a quieter road lined with old warehouses and small commercial buildings. The neighborhood had changed since Marcus and Charles first started their business. Some storefronts had been renovated. Others had plywood covering their windows.
Marcus's building stood halfway down the block.
Its small commercial buildings. The neighborhood had changed since Marcus and Charles first started their business. Some storefronts had been renovated. Others had plywood covering their windows.
Marcus's building stood halfway down the block.
Its red brick facade was weathered, and the metal security gate across the front entrance had begun to rust. A faded sign above the door still displayed the business name red brick facade was weathered, and the metal security gate across the front entrance had begun to rust. A faded sign above the door still displayed the business name their father had chosen decades earlier.
REED FAMILY PROPERTIES.
Denise stepped out of her car and stared at it.
“Your their father had chosen decades earlier.
REED FAMILY PROPERTIES.
Denise stepped out of her car and stared at it.
“Your father would be heartbroken to see what happened to this place.””
Charles approached the gate.
“He'd be heartbroken about a lot of things.””
He inserted the brass key into the lock.
It turned.
The father would be heartbroken to see what happened to this place.””
Charles approached the gate.
“He'd be heartbroken about a lot of things.””
He inserted the brass key into the lock.
It turned.
The gate rattled upward, revealing a narrow entrance and a dusty corridor that smelled of damp wood and old paint.
Tiana followed her father inside.
“Uncle Marcus wanted to make this gate rattled upward, revealing a narrow entrance and a dusty corridor that smelled of damp wood and old paint.
Tiana followed her father inside.
“Uncle Marcus wanted to make this a recording studio, right?””
Charles nodded.
“He wanted to give local kids somewhere to record music without paying a recording studio, right?””
Charles nodded.
“He wanted to give local kids somewhere to record music without paying the ridiculous prices downtown.””
“Why didn't he do it?””
“Because I told him it wasn't a serious business.””
Tiana stared at him.
“You told him that?””
“I thought he was wasting money.””
She shook her head.
“You always thought his dreams were stupid.””
Charles turned toward her.
“Tiana the ridiculous prices downtown.””
“Why didn't he do it?””
“Because I told him it wasn't a serious business.””
Tiana stared at him.
“You told him that?””
“I thought he was wasting money.””
She shook her head.
“You always thought his dreams were stupid.””
Charles turned toward her.
“Tiana—”
“No. Every time he talked about doing something different, you told him to be realistic. Every time he tried to help someone, you—”
“No. Every time he talked about doing something different, you told him to be realistic. Every time he tried to help someone, you told him they were taking advantage of him. You made it sound like being kind was the same as being foolish.””
Charles looked at the told him they were taking advantage of him. You made it sound like being kind was the same as being foolish.””
Charles looked at the floor.
Aaliyah touched Tiana's shoulder.
“Let's find what Marcus left behind.””
They moved into the main room floor.
Aaliyah touched Tiana's shoulder.
“Let's find what Marcus left behind.””
They moved into the main room.
Dust covered the counters and shelves. A broken ceiling fan hung motionless above an empty workbench. Several boxes were stacked against the.
Dust covered the counters and shelves. A broken ceiling fan hung motionless above an empty workbench. Several boxes were stacked against the far wall, their cardboard softened by moisture.
Charles switched on a flashlight.
“The last time I came here, I searched everything.””
“Then we search again far wall, their cardboard softened by moisture.
Charles switched on a flashlight.
“The last time I came here, I searched everything.””
“Then we search again,” Denise said.
They began with the office.
Tiana opened filing cabinets while Denise examined the shelves. Aaliyah checked the boxes, carefully lifting old,” Denise said.
They began with the office.
Tiana opened filing cabinets while Denise examined the shelves. Aaliyah checked the boxes, carefully lifting old folders and setting them aside.
Charles moved toward the back room.
After twenty minutes, Tiana found nothing but expired permits and old invoices.
“Dad, how long folders and setting them aside.
Charles moved toward the back room.
After twenty minutes, Tiana found nothing but expired permits and old invoices.
“Dad, how long has this place been empty?””
“Since Marcus disappeared.””
“Two years?””
“Yes.””
“And nobody has broken in?””
“Not that I know of.””
Tiana looked toward the damaged back window has this place been empty?””
“Since Marcus disappeared.””
“Two years?””
“Yes.””
“And nobody has broken in?””
“Not that I know of.””
Tiana looked toward the damaged back window.
“Someone could have come through there.””
Charles followed her gaze.
He approached the window and examined the frame.
The glass was intact, but the latch had fresh scratches.
“Someone could have come through there.””
Charles followed her gaze.
He approached the window and examined the frame.
The glass was intact, but the latch had fresh scratches around it.
“Somebody's been here,” he said.
Aaliyah hurried over.
“When?””
“I don't know.””
Denise set down the papers she was holding.
“Then stop wasting time around it.
“Somebody's been here,” he said.
Aaliyah hurried over.
“When?””
“I don't know.””
Denise set down the papers she was holding.
“Then stop wasting time. If someone has already found the room, whatever we're looking for may be gone.””
They returned to the main office.
Charles crouched beside the floorboards near the. If someone has already found the room, whatever we're looking for may be gone.””
They returned to the main office.
Charles crouched beside the floorboards near the old workbench. He ran his flashlight over the wood, searching for scratches or gaps.
“Marcus said it was underneath the floor,” he murmured.
“Which part?”” Tiana asked.
“I don't old workbench. He ran his flashlight over the wood, searching for scratches or gaps.
“Marcus said it was underneath the floor,” he murmured.
“Which part?”” Tiana asked.
“I don't remember.””
“You don't remember?””
“He didn't tell me exactly where.””
Denise stared at him.
“You said you came here and searched everything.””
“I did!””
remember.””
“You don't remember?””
“He didn't tell me exactly where.””
Denise stared at him.
“You said you came here and searched everything.””
“I did!””
“Then how did you miss it?””
Charles's voice rose.
“Because I didn't know what I was looking for!””
Aaliyah knelt beside him.
“Move the light.””
“Then how did you miss it?””
Charles's voice rose.
“Because I didn't know what I was looking for!””
Aaliyah knelt beside him.
“Move the light.””
She examined the boards one by one, running her fingertips over the narrow spaces between them. Near the back wall, she found a small section of wood that looked slightly newer thanShe examined the boards one by one, running her fingertips over the narrow spaces between them. Near the back wall, she found a small section of wood that looked slightly newer than the surrounding boards.
“Here.””
Charles leaned over.
Aaliyah pressed her fingernail against the edge.
The board shifted.
Tiana fetched a screwdriver from a drawer, and Charles carefully pr the surrounding boards.
“Here.””
Charles leaned over.
Aaliyah pressed her fingernail against the edge.
The board shifted.
Tiana fetched a screwdriver from a drawer, and Charles carefully pried it upward.
Beneath the wood was a shallow compartment.
Inside lay a sealed plastic pouch, a small notebook, and an old silver key.
For several seconds, nobody movedied it upward.
Beneath the wood was a shallow compartment.
Inside lay a sealed plastic pouch, a small notebook, and an old silver key.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Charles reached into the compartment.
Aaliyah caught his wrist.
“Wait.””
He looked at her.
“If this belongs to Marcus, we open it together.””
Charles nodded slowly.
She lifted the.
Then Charles reached into the compartment.
Aaliyah caught his wrist.
“Wait.””
He looked at her.
“If this belongs to Marcus, we open it together.””
Charles nodded slowly.
She lifted the pouch and placed it on the workbench.
Inside was a small digital recorder, a stack of photographs, and a folded letter addressed to Charles.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Marcus.
Charles sat down heavily.
“It's pouch and placed it on the workbench.
Inside was a small digital recorder, a stack of photographs, and a folded letter addressed to Charles.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Marcus.
Charles sat down heavily.
“It's his.””
Denise picked up the letter.
“Open it.””
Charles stared at his brother's handwriting for several seconds before unfolding the page.
The message his.””
Denise picked up the letter.
“Open it.””
Charles stared at his brother's handwriting for several seconds before unfolding the page.
The message was short.
Charles, if you're reading this, it means I couldn't come back the way I planned.
*I know you think you were protecting me. I know you think you can fix every problem if you was short.
Charles, if you're reading this, it means I couldn't come back the way I planned.
I know you think you were protecting me. I know you think you can fix every problem if you keep it to yourself long enough.
But you need to understand something. The money was never the biggest problem.
Charles stopped reading.
Denise looked at him.
“Keep keep it to yourself long enough.*
But you need to understand something. The money was never the biggest problem.
Charles stopped reading.
Denise looked at him.
“Keep going.””
He swallowed.
*The biggest problem is that someone inside our family helped them. Someone who knew our father's business, our accounts, our signatures, and every place we kept our going.””
He swallowed.
The biggest problem is that someone inside our family helped them. Someone who knew our father's business, our accounts, our signatures, and every place we kept our records.
I have proof.
If anything happens to me, don't trust the documents that say I signed away the building. Don't trust the story about the records.
I have proof.
If anything happens to me, don't trust the documents that say I signed away the building. Don't trust the story about the accident. And don't trust anyone who tells you that keeping quiet is the same as keeping people safe.
Charles lowered the letter.
His face had gone gray.
Tiana reached for the photographs.
The first showed Marcus standing outside accident. And don't trust anyone who tells you that keeping quiet is the same as keeping people safe.*
Charles lowered the letter.
His face had gone gray.
Tiana reached for the photographs.
The first showed Marcus standing outside a bank.
The second showed him beside Warren Pike.
The third showed Charles shaking hands with another man in a parking garage.
Denise leaned closer.
“Who is that?””
Charles stared at a bank.
The second showed him beside Warren Pike.
The third showed Charles shaking hands with another man in a parking garage.
Denise leaned closer.
“Who is that?””
Charles stared at the photograph.
“I don't know.””
Aaliyah examined the image.
“Look at his hand.””
The stranger was holding a folder. A gold signet ring gleamed on his little finger.
Tiana frowned.
the photograph.
“I don't know.””
Aaliyah examined the image.
“Look at his hand.””
The stranger was holding a folder. A gold signet ring gleamed on his little finger.
Tiana frowned.
“I've seen that ring before.””
Charles looked at her.
“Where?””
She studied the photograph more closely.
“At Grandma's house. In one of the pictures from Dad“I've seen that ring before.””
Charles looked at her.
“Where?””
She studied the photograph more closely.
“At Grandma's house. In one of the pictures from Dad's retirement party.””
Denise's eyes widened.
She knew exactly which photograph Tiana meant.
It had been taken four years earlier in the backyard of Charles's mother. Family members's retirement party.””
Denise's eyes widened.
She knew exactly which photograph Tiana meant.
It had been taken four years earlier in the backyard of Charles's mother. Family members crowded around a long table, smiling beneath strings of yellow lights.
Near the edge of the photograph stood a man in a navy suit.
The same signet ring was visible crowded around a long table, smiling beneath strings of yellow lights.
Near the edge of the photograph stood a man in a navy suit.
The same signet ring was visible on his hand.
Denise whispered his name.
“Uncle Raymond.””
Charles looked up sharply.
“That's impossible.””
Raymond Reed was their father's on his hand.
Denise whispered his name.
“Uncle Raymond.””
Charles looked up sharply.
“That's impossible.””
Raymond Reed was their father's younger brother. He had helped establish the family business before moving into commercial real estate. He was the person who had recommended Warren Pike as a private lender.
younger brother. He had helped establish the family business before moving into commercial real estate. He was the person who had recommended Warren Pike as a private lender.
He was also the man who had delivered the eulogy at Marcus's funeral after Charles became too emotional toHe was also the man who had delivered the eulogy at Marcus's funeral after Charles became too emotional to finish his own.
Denise remembered Raymond standing beside the casket, telling the family that sometimes love meant accepting what could not be changed.
She remembered him hugging T finish his own.
Denise remembered Raymond standing beside the casket, telling the family that sometimes love meant accepting what could not be changed.
She remembered him hugging Tiana.
She remembered him telling Aaliyah that she should focus on her future rather than keep reopening old wounds.
Her stomach turned.
iana.
She remembered him telling Aaliyah that she should focus on her future rather than keep reopening old wounds.
Her stomach turned.
“Raymond knew about the business,” she whispered.
“He knew about the property. He knew about the debts.””
Charles shook his head.
“Raymond wouldn't do this.””
Tiana looked at him.
“You said“Raymond knew about the business,” she whispered.
“He knew about the property. He knew about the debts.””
Charles shook his head.
“Raymond wouldn't do this.””
Tiana looked at him.
“You said the same thing about every person who turned out to be involved.””
Charles opened his mouth, then fell silent.
Aaliyah picked up the digital recorder.
“Let's hear what's on the same thing about every person who turned out to be involved.””
Charles opened his mouth, then fell silent.
Aaliyah picked up the digital recorder.
“Let's hear what's on this.””
Charles pressed the power button.
The screen flickered before a recording began.
Marcus's voice filled the empty room.
“If you're listening to this, Charles, this.””
Charles pressed the power button.
The screen flickered before a recording began.
Marcus's voice filled the empty room.
“If you're listening to this, Charles, I need you to understand that I didn't disappear because I wanted to abandon my family.””
Aaliyah closed her eyes.
She had missed that voice so much that hearing it made her chest ache I need you to understand that I didn't disappear because I wanted to abandon my family.””
Aaliyah closed her eyes.
She had missed that voice so much that hearing it made her chest ache.
Marcus continued.
“I found out who was moving the money. I found out who was signing the transfers. And I found out why the records kept pointing back to us.””
There was a pause, followed by the sound of.
Marcus continued.
“I found out who was moving the money. I found out who was signing the transfers. And I found out why the records kept pointing back to us.””
There was a pause, followed by the sound of paper moving.
“Raymond wasn't working alone.””
Charles leaned closer to the recorder.
Marcus's voice dropped.
“He had help from someone who had access to our private accounts. Someone who knew paper moving.
“Raymond wasn't working alone.””
Charles leaned closer to the recorder.
Marcus's voice dropped.
“He had help from someone who had access to our private accounts. Someone who knew my signature well enough to forge it. Someone who could make it look like I had authorized transactions even when I was nowhere near the office.””
Denise gripped the workbench.
Marcus continued my signature well enough to forge it. Someone who could make it look like I had authorized transactions even when I was nowhere near the office.””
Denise gripped the workbench.
Marcus continued.
“I tried to confront him. I thought I could make him confess. Instead, he told me something I still can't believe.””
A long silence followed.
“I tried to confront him. I thought I could make him confess. Instead, he told me something I still can't believe.””
A long silence followed.
Then Marcus spoke again.
“He told me that Charles had already agreed to the deal.””
Charles stumbled backward.
“No.””
Denise turned toward him.
“What deal?””
“I didn't agree to anything.””
The.
Then Marcus spoke again.
“He told me that Charles had already agreed to the deal.””
Charles stumbled backward.
“No.””
Denise turned toward him.
“What deal?””
“I didn't agree to anything.””
The recorder crackled.
Marcus's voice grew quieter.
“He said my brother knew exactly what was happening. He said Charles had signed the original agreement himself.””
Aaliyah stared at Charles recorder crackled.
Marcus's voice grew quieter.
“He said my brother knew exactly what was happening. He said Charles had signed the original agreement himself.””
Aaliyah stared at Charles.
Tiana looked between them.
“Daddy?””
Charles shook his head repeatedly.
“No. That's not true.””
The recording continued.
“If Charles is telling the truth, then someone is using his name. But if.
Tiana looked between them.
“Daddy?””
Charles shook his head repeatedly.
“No. That's not true.””
The recording continued.
“If Charles is telling the truth, then someone is using his name. But if he isn't, then I don't know who I can trust anymore.””
The recording ended with a soft click.
Nobody spoke.
Charles stood motionless, staring at the recorder.
Then he reached for the notebook in the he isn't, then I don't know who I can trust anymore.””
The recording ended with a soft click.
Nobody spoke.
Charles stood motionless, staring at the recorder.
Then he reached for the notebook in the plastic pouch.
He opened it to the first page.
Inside was a handwritten list of dates, account numbers, and transaction references. Several entries were marked with red circles.
At the bottom of the page, Marcus plastic pouch.
He opened it to the first page.
Inside was a handwritten list of dates, account numbers, and transaction references. Several entries were marked with red circles.
At the bottom of the page, Marcus had written a name.
Not Raymond's.
Not Warren's.
*Charles Reed.*
Denise stepped away from her husband.
“What does that mean?””
Charles looked at the notebook as had written a name.
Not Raymond's.
Not Warren's.
*Charles Reed.*
Denise stepped away from her husband.
“What does that mean?””
Charles looked at the notebook as if it might suddenly explain itself.
“I don't know.””
Aaliyah's voice was cold.
“Then we're going to find out.””
She picked up the silver key from the pouch and examined if it might suddenly explain itself.
“I don't know.””
Aaliyah's voice was cold.
“Then we're going to find out.””
She picked up the silver key from the pouch and examined its small metal tag.
Two words had been engraved on it.
*UNIT 214.*
Tiana frowned.
“What's Unit 214?””
Charles stared at its small metal tag.
Two words had been engraved on it.
*UNIT 214.*
Tiana frowned.
“What's Unit 214?””
Charles stared at the key.
His expression changed.
“I know that number.””
“Where?”” Denise asked.
He looked toward the entrance, suddenly listening for sounds outside the key.
His expression changed.
“I know that number.””
“Where?”” Denise asked.
He looked toward the entrance, suddenly listening for sounds outside.
“It's a storage unit.””
“Whose storage unit?””
Charles's lips parted, but he didn't answer immediately.
Then he whispered, “Your grandmother rented it.
“It's a storage unit.””
“Whose storage unit?””
Charles's lips parted, but he didn't answer immediately.
Then he whispered, “Your grandmother rented it.””
Denise's eyes widened.
Their mother had died six months before Marcus disappeared. After her death, Raymond had handled most of the estate paperwork, claiming it would be easier for everyone.””
Denise's eyes widened.
Their mother had died six months before Marcus disappeared. After her death, Raymond had handled most of the estate paperwork, claiming it would be easier for everyone if one person managed the arrangements.
Denise had never questioned him.
She had never even known about the storage unit.
Charles slipped the notebook into the pouch and looked at if one person managed the arrangements.
Denise had never questioned him.
She had never even known about the storage unit.
Charles slipped the notebook into the pouch and looked at the three women.
“If Marcus hid something there, we need to get to it before Raymond does.””
Aaliyah picked up her envelope.
“Then let's go.””
Charles shook his head.
“Not the three women.
“If Marcus hid something there, we need to get to it before Raymond does.””
Aaliyah picked up her envelope.
“Then let's go.””
Charles shook his head.
“Not all of us. If somebody is watching this building, four people leaving together will make us an easy target.””
Denise stared at him.
“You're not separating us again.””
“I'm all of us. If somebody is watching this building, four people leaving together will make us an easy target.””
Denise stared at him.
“You're not separating us again.””
“I'm not trying to.””
“Then stop talking like you're still the only person who gets to make decisions.””
Charles looked at his wife, and for a moment, the weight of everything he had done seemed to settle fully upon not trying to.””
“Then stop talking like you're still the only person who gets to make decisions.””
Charles looked at his wife, and for a moment, the weight of everything he had done seemed to settle fully upon him.
He nodded.
“Fine. We go together.””
They gathered the documents, the recorder, and the key, then headed toward the entrance.
But before him.
He nodded.
“Fine. We go together.””
They gathered the documents, the recorder, and the key, then headed toward the entrance.
But before Charles could unlock the front gate, his phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of the workbench.
The photograph had been taken inside the building.
It showed the open floor Charles could unlock the front gate, his phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of the workbench.
The photograph had been taken inside the building.
It showed the open floor compartment, the empty plastic pouch, and the recorder.
Beneath it was a single sentence.
You were warned to leave the past alone.
Charles stared compartment, the empty plastic pouch, and the recorder.
Beneath it was a single sentence.
You were warned to leave the past alone.
Charles stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Ask your wife what she did the night Marcus disappeared.
Denise went completely still.
Tiana turned toward her mother.
“Mom?””
Denise's face had lost all color.
For two years at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Ask your wife what she did the night Marcus disappeared.
Denise went completely still.
Tiana turned toward her mother.
“Mom?””
Denise's face had lost all color.
For two years, she had believed Charles was the only person hiding a secret.
Now, as she looked at the message on his phone, she realized that somebody knew something about her, too.
Something she, she had believed Charles was the only person hiding a secret.
Now, as she looked at the message on his phone, she realized that somebody knew something about her, too.
Something she had never told her husband.
May you like
And something that could change everything they thought they knew about Marcus's disappearance. had never told her husband.
And something that could change everything they thought they knew about Marcus's disappearance.
