Chapter 8: The Sister## Chapter 8: The Sister Who Knew His Who Knew His Name
James stared at the photograph until the traffic behind Name
James stared at the photograph until the traffic behind him began to honk.
The woman stood him began to honk.
The woman stood outside Carter Capital's glass entrance, wearing a navy blazer and carrying a black laptop bag. She had deep brown skin outside Carter Capital's glass entrance, wearing a navy blazer and carrying a black laptop bag. She had deep brown skin, shoulder-length natural curls, and a small silver pendant resting against her collarbone.
She was, shoulder-length natural curls, and a small silver pendant resting against her collarbone.
She was looking directly at the camera.
There was something familiar about her face.
Not familiar in the ordinary sense. looking directly at the camera.
There was something familiar about her face.
Not familiar in the ordinary sense. Familiar in the way an old photograph could make a stranger feel like someone who had once sat Familiar in the way an old photograph could make a stranger feel like someone who had once sat beside you at the dinner table.
James enlarged the image.
The woman's eyes were his mother's.
Her mouth was his father's.
And the small crescent beside you at the dinner table.
James enlarged the image.
The woman's eyes were his mother's.
Her mouth was his father's.
And the small crescent-shaped birthmark beneath her left eye was identical to the one James had seen in-shaped birthmark beneath her left eye was identical to the one James had seen in a photograph of himself as a baby.
“Who is she?”” Richard asked from the back seat.
a photograph of himself as a baby.
“Who is she?”” Richard asked from the back seat.
James didn't answer.
He opened his company's employee directory and searched the name that appearedJames didn't answer.
He opened his company's employee directory and searched the name that appeared in the photograph's metadata.
*Amara Brooks.*
Senior financial analyst.
Em in the photograph's metadata.
*Amara Brooks.*
Senior financial analyst.
Employed at Carter Capital for three years.
James stared at the screen.
Three years.
He had personally approved the budgetployed at Carter Capital for three years.
James stared at the screen.
Three years.
He had personally approved the budget for her department. He had seen her quarterly performance reports. He had even read a for her department.
He had seen her quarterly performance reports. He had even read a recommendation from her supervisor praising her ability to uncover discrepancies other analysts missed.
He had never met her.
“Olivia,” he recommendation from her supervisor praising her ability to uncover discrepancies other analysts missed.
He had never met her.
“Olivia,” he said into the hands-free system.
His assistant answered immediately.
“James?””
“Where is Amara Brooks said into the hands-free system.
His assistant answered immediately.
“James?””
“Where is Amara Brooks?””
A pause.
“She left the office about twenty minutes ago. Why?””
“Find her.””
“Is?””
A pause.
“She left the office about twenty minutes ago. Why?””
“Find her.””
“Is something wrong?””
“I'm not sure yet.””
“Should I contact security?””
James something wrong?””
“I'm not sure yet.””
“Should I contact security?””
James glanced at the photograph again.
“No. Don't alert anyone. Just find out where she went.””
glanced at the photograph again.
“No. Don't alert anyone. Just find out where she went.””
He ended the call.
Richard leaned forward.
“James, if this is connected to your father, we need to beHe ended the call.
Richard leaned forward.
“James, if this is connected to your father, we need to be careful.””
James looked at him in the mirror.
“You've said that before.””
“I careful.””
James looked at him in the mirror.
“You've said that before.””
“I know.””
“And every time, someone turns out to have been hiding something.””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“I know.””
“And every time, someone turns out to have been hiding something.””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“I deserve that.””
James pulled back onto the road.
Marcus sat beside Richard, holding the cassette recorder with deserve that.””
James pulled back onto the road.
Marcus sat beside Richard, holding the cassette recorder with both hands.
“There's something you should know,” Marcus said.
James kept both hands.
“There's something you should know,” Marcus said.
James kept his eyes on the road.
“Go ahead.””
“Thomas always believed Evelyn had another child. He thought his eyes on the road.
“Go ahead.””
“Thomas always believed Evelyn had another child. He thought she'd placed the child with someone he couldn't reach.””
James's hands she'd placed the child with someone he couldn't reach.””
James's hands tightened on the wheel.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought it was a rumor. Thomas tightened on the wheel.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought it was a rumor. Thomas searched for years, but he never found proof.””
“Did my searched for years, but he never found proof.””
“Did my mother know where she was?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Marcus swallowed.
“Your mother told me once that she'd made mother know where she was?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Marcus swallowed.
“Your mother told me once that she'd made a promise to someone. She said she'd rather die than break it.””
James glanced at him.
a promise to someone. She said she'd rather die than break it.””
James glanced at him.
“What promise?””
Marcus shook his head.
“She never told me.””
Richard rubbed his injured arm.
“Could Am“What promise?””
Marcus shook his head.
“She never told me.””
Richard rubbed his injured arm.
“Could Amara be the person we're looking for?””
James looked again at the photograph.
“I don't know.””
“But she's been working for you for three years. If she isara be the person we're looking for?””
James looked again at the photograph.
“I don't know.””
“But she's been working for you for three years. If she is your sister, why hasn't she said anything?””
James had no answer.
For years, he had built his company around a simple principle: trust the records, verify the numbers, and never allow your sister, why hasn't she said anything?””
James had no answer.
For years, he had built his company around a simple principle: trust the records, verify the numbers, and never allow personal feelings to interfere with a decision.
Now his mother's voice was trapped on personal feelings to interfere with a decision.
Now his mother's voice was trapped on an old cassette, his father had supposedly been missing for decades, and a woman he had employed for an old cassette, his father had supposedly been missing for decades, and a woman he had employed for three years might be his sister.
The facts no longer fit neatly into columns.
His three years might be his sister.
The facts no longer fit neatly into columns.
His phone rang.
Olivia.
“James, I found Amara.””
“Where?””
“She went to the central train station. phone rang.
Olivia.
“James, I found Amara.””
“Where?””
“She went to the central train station. Her phone is switched off.””
“Did she leave the city?””
“I don't know. But she asked reception to forward Her phone is switched off.””
“Did she leave the city?””
“I don't know. But she asked reception to forward a sealed envelope to your private office.””
James's pulse quickened.
“What was inside?””
“Reception a sealed envelope to your private office.””
James's pulse quickened.
“What was inside?””
“Reception hasn't opened it.””
“Have someone bring it hasn't opened it.””
“Have someone bring it to me.””
“There's one more thing.””
“What?””
“Her supervisor says Amara requested copies of the original Northbridge Legacy Trust records two weeks ago.””
James went silent.
“ to me.””
“There's one more thing.””
“What?””
“Her supervisor says Amara requested copies of the original Northbridge Legacy Trust records two weeks ago.””
James went silent.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I didn't know until I checked the access logs.””
“Who approvedWhy didn't you tell me?””
“I didn't know until I checked the access logs.””
“Who approved the request?””
“No one. The system shows that she accessed an the request?””
“No one. The system shows that she accessed an archived file through an administrator account.””
James glanced at Marcus.
Marcus's face had gone pale.
“Thomas archived file through an administrator account.””
James glanced at Marcus.
Marcus's face had gone pale.
“Thomas,” he whispered.
James heard him.
“Explain.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Thomas used to maintain a duplicate,” he whispered.
James heard him.
“Explain.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Thomas used to maintain a duplicate archive of the trust records. He kept copies outside the banking system in case anyone challenged his authority.””
“ archive of the trust records. He kept copies outside the banking system in case anyone challenged his authority.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
Richard interrupted.
“Could Amara have found it?””
Marcus noddedWhere?””
“I don't know.””
Richard interrupted.
“Could Amara have found it?””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“If she knew where to look.””
James felt a new fear settling over him.
slowly.
“If she knew where to look.””
James felt a new fear settling over him.
If Amara had discovered the truth, she might be in danger.
And if she had spentIf Amara had discovered the truth, she might be in danger.
And if she had spent three years working inside Carter Capital, she might have been watching him for reasons he couldn't begin three years working inside Carter Capital, she might have been watching him for reasons he couldn't begin to understand.
“Olivia,” he said, “send the envelope to my home. No one else to understand.
“Olivia,” he said, “send the envelope to my home. No one else handles it.””
“Understood.””
He ended the call.
Then he turned to Marcus.
“Tell handles it.””
“Understood.””
He ended the call.
Then he turned to Marcus.
“Tell me everything you know about my sister.””
Marcus looked at him.
“I don't know if she's your me everything you know about my sister.””
Marcus looked at him.
“I don't know if she's your sister.””
“But you suspect it.””
“Yes.””
“Then start talking.””
Marcus took sister.””
“But you suspect it.””
“Yes.””
“Then start talking.””
Marcus took a breath.
“Eight years ago, shortly after Evelyn died, Thomas told me he had found evidence that the family trust had a breath.
“Eight years ago, shortly after Evelyn died, Thomas told me he had found evidence that the family trust had a second beneficiary. He said the person was a girl, born before you.””
James felt his throat tighten.
“How a second beneficiary. He said the person was a girl, born before you.””
James felt his throat tighten.
“How much older?””
“Two years, perhaps. I never saw a birth certificate.””
Richard stared much older?””
“Two years, perhaps. I never saw a birth certificate.””
Richard stared at Marcus.
“Why would Evelyn give up a child?””
“I don't know. Thomas said at Marcus.
“Why would Evelyn give up a child?””
“I don't know. Thomas said she had no choice.””
James looked out at the city.
His mother had raised him alone. she had no choice.””
James looked out at the city.
His mother had raised him alone. She had worked nights, sacrificed vacations, and refused help even when she could barely afford groceries.
He She had worked nights, sacrificed vacations, and refused help even when she could barely afford groceries.
He remembered asking her once why they never visited relatives.
She had told him that some families were better loved remembered asking her once why they never visited relatives.
She had told him that some families were better loved from a distance.
He had thought it was a joke.
Now he wondered whether it had been a warning from a distance.
He had thought it was a joke.
Now he wondered whether it had been a warning.
James's house stood on a quiet street lined with old oak trees and.
James's house stood on a quiet street lined with old oak trees and carefully maintained gardens.
He had bought it after his company made carefully maintained gardens.
He had bought it after his company made its first major acquisition, but he had never renovated the kitchen or replaced the worn wooden floor its first major acquisition, but he had never renovated the kitchen or replaced the worn wooden floor in the hallway. His mother had liked the house when she visited shortly before her death.
in the hallway. His mother had liked the house when she visited shortly before her death.
He had kept it almost exactly as she remembered it.
When they arrived, James went directly to hisHe had kept it almost exactly as she remembered it.
When they arrived, James went directly to his study.
The envelope was waiting on the desk.
His name was written across the front in neat handwriting.
He recognized the study.
The envelope was waiting on the desk.
His name was written across the front in neat handwriting.
He recognized the writing from the woman's employee records.
Amara Brooks.
He opened it carefully writing from the woman's employee records.
Amara Brooks.
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph, a handwritten letter, and a photocopy of a birth certificate.
The photograph showed Evelyn Carter.
Inside was a photograph, a handwritten letter, and a photocopy of a birth certificate.
The photograph showed Evelyn Carter holding two babies.
James recognized himself immediately.
The other baby was a little holding two babies.
James recognized himself immediately.
The other baby was a little girl with a crescent-shaped birthmark beneath her left eye.
On the back, his mother had written:
*James and Amara. girl with a crescent-shaped birthmark beneath her left eye.
On the back, his mother had written:
James and Amara. Together, always, even when the world tries to separate them.
James sat down.
Richard Together, always, even when the world tries to separate them.*
James sat down.
Richard remained by the doorway, silent.
Marcus stood near the window.
James unfolded the letter.
* remained by the doorway, silent.
Marcus stood near the window.
James unfolded the letter.
My son,
If this letter reaches you, then someone has finally uncovered what I spent years trying to protect.
My son,
If this letter reaches you, then someone has finally uncovered what I spent years trying to protect.
You had a sister. Her name is Amara.
She was born two years before you.You had a sister. Her name is Amara.
She was born two years before you. When she was still an infant, your father discovered that Thomas had been using the family trust to cover When she was still an infant, your father discovered that Thomas had been using the family trust to cover debts connected to his business. He feared that the people involved would use our children against debts connected to his business. He feared that the people involved would use our children against us.
Your father made a terrible decision. He arranged for Amara to live with a family he us.
Your father made a terrible decision. He arranged for Amara to live with a family he trusted while he gathered evidence against Thomas.
I agreed because I believed it would keep her safe.
trusted while he gathered evidence against Thomas.
I agreed because I believed it would keep her safe.
Then your father disappeared.
James stopped reading.
His hands were trembling.
HeThen your father disappeared.*
James stopped reading.
His hands were trembling.
He continued.
*Thomas told me that Amara had been taken overseas and that I would never see her continued.
Thomas told me that Amara had been taken overseas and that I would never see her again if I tried to find her. I spent years searching quietly, but every trail ended again if I tried to find her. I spent years searching quietly, but every trail ended in forged documents and closed accounts.
I eventually discovered that she had been adopted in forged documents and closed accounts.
I eventually discovered that she had been adopted under a different name. I found her when she was seventeen.
I did not tell her under a different name. I found her when she was seventeen.
*I did not tell her who she was. I wanted to protect her from Thomas. I wanted to who she was.
I wanted to protect her from Thomas. I wanted to wait until I had proof that the danger had passed.*
I was wrong to wait.
Tears blurred wait until I had proof that the danger had passed.*
I was wrong to wait.
Tears blurred the page.
James wiped his face and continued.
*Amara knows more than I the page.
James wiped his face and continued.
*Amara knows more than I ever told you. She found records that I could not locate. She has been ever told you.
She found records that I could not locate. She has been searching for the truth about your father, and she may have discovered that he is alive.*
Please don't mistake searching for the truth about your father, and she may have discovered that he is alive.
Please don't mistake her silence for betrayal. She has lived her entire life believing that her birth family chose to leave her behind her silence for betrayal. She has lived her entire life believing that her birth family chose to leave her behind.
If you find her, give her the one thing none of us could give her when she was a child.
The truth.
James lowered the letter.
For several seconds, the room was.*
If you find her, give her the one thing none of us could give her when she was a child.
The truth.
James lowered the letter.
For several seconds, the room was completely silent.
Then Richard spoke.
“She was working in your company, and you didn't know she was your sister completely silent.
Then Richard spoke.
“She was working in your company, and you didn't know she was your sister.””
James looked at the photograph.
“No.””
“Do you think she knew who you were when.””
James looked at the photograph.
“No.””
“Do you think she knew who you were when she applied?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus approached the desk.
“Your mother said she found Amara when she was seventeen she applied?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus approached the desk.
“Your mother said she found Amara when she was seventeen. If Amara has been searching for your father, she may have found Thomas's records years ago.””
James looked. If Amara has been searching for your father, she may have found Thomas's records years ago.””
James looked up.
“Then why would she work for me?””
Marcus up.
“Then why would she work for me?””
Marcus didn't answer.
James studied the birth certificate.
The names were correct. The date matched the didn't answer.
James studied the birth certificate.
The names were correct. The date matched the information in his mother's letter. The document appeared genuine, but he had learned information in his mother's letter. The document appeared genuine, but he had learned enough that day to distrust anything that looked too convenient.
He called Daniel Price.
“I'm sending you enough that day to distrust anything that looked too convenient.
He called Daniel Price.
“I'm sending you a birth certificate and a letter. Verify both independently.””
“Is this about the trust?””
“It's about my a birth certificate and a letter. Verify both independently.””
“Is this about the trust?””
“It's about my sister.””
Daniel fell silent.
“James, are you certain?””
“No. That's why I'm sister.””
Daniel fell silent.
“James, are you certain?””
“No. That's why I'm calling you.””
“Understood. I'll arrange an independent verification.””
James ended the call.
calling you.””
“Understood. I'll arrange an independent verification.””
James ended the call.
Then he opened the photograph on his phone again.
Amara was standing outside his buildingThen he opened the photograph on his phone again.
Amara was standing outside his building, looking directly at the camera.
He wondered how many times she had walked past his office., looking directly at the camera.
He wondered how many times she had walked past his office. How many times she had seen him in the elevator. How many times she had considered telling him the truth and decided against How many times she had seen him in the elevator. How many times she had considered telling him the truth and decided against it.
His phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
**If you want to find Amara, go to the old Carter house. it.
His phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*If you want to find Amara, go to the old Carter house. Come alone.*
James stared at the message.
He had not visited the old family Come alone.**
James stared at the message.
He had not visited the old family house in years. It had been sold after his mother died, and the new owners had converted house in years. It had been sold after his mother died, and the new owners had converted it into a rental property.
He called Olivia.
“Find the current owner of the old Carter house it into a rental property.
He called Olivia.
“Find the current owner of the old Carter house.””
“I'll start now.””
“Also, locate Amara's emergency contact.””
“James, are.””
“I'll start now.””
“Also, locate Amara's emergency contact.””
“James, are you sure you want me to—”
“Do it.””
He ended the call.
Richard stepped forward.
“I'm you sure you want me to—”
“Do it.””
He ended the call.
Richard stepped forward.
“I'm coming with you.””
James looked at him.
“No.””
“James, whoever sent that message could be dangerous.””
“ coming with you.””
James looked at him.
“No.””
“James, whoever sent that message could be dangerous.””
“That's why I'm not bringing you.””
Richard's expression tightened,That's why I'm not bringing you.””
Richard's expression tightened, but he nodded.
James picked up the letter and folded it carefully.
As he walked toward the door, Marcus but he nodded.
James picked up the letter and folded it carefully.
As he walked toward the door, Marcus caught his arm.
“James, there's something your mother wrote on caught his arm.
“James, there's something your mother wrote on the back of the birth certificate.””
James turned it over.
In faded ink, beneath the official registration details, were seven the back of the birth certificate.””
James turned it over.
In faded ink, beneath the official registration details, were seven handwritten words.
*The key is where your father first lied.*
James stared handwritten words.
*The key is where your father first lied.*
James stared at the sentence.
Then he remembered the old house.
The oak tree behind it.
The locked cellar where his father used at the sentence.
Then he remembered the old house.
The oak tree behind it.
The locked cellar where his father used to store tools.
And the day, when James was nine, that his father had told him never to store tools.
And the day, when James was nine, that his father had told him never to open the wooden cabinet beneath the stairs.
James looked at Marcus.
“I need to open the wooden cabinet beneath the stairs.
James looked at Marcus.
“I need to go.””
Marcus nodded.
“Then let me come with you.””
James hesitated.
“You've lied to me before.””
“I have.””
“You stood by while my mother to go.””
Marcus nodded.
“Then let me come with you.””
James hesitated.
“You've lied to me before.””
“I have.””
“You stood by while my mother suffered.””
Marcus lowered his eyes.
“I did.””
James looked toward the door.
“But you're suffered.””
Marcus lowered his eyes.
“I did.””
James looked toward the door.
“But you're the only person who was there.””
He handed Marcus the photograph.
“Don't the only person who was there.””
He handed Marcus the photograph.
“Don't make me regret this.””
The old Carter house stood at the end of a narrow street, its white paint peeling beneath make me regret this.””
The old Carter house stood at the end of a narrow street, its white paint peeling beneath the porch windows.
James parked beside the gate.
The oak the porch windows.
James parked beside the gate.
The oak tree was still there, its branches extending over the roof like protective arms. tree was still there, its branches extending over the roof like protective arms. The garden had become overgrown, and the porch swing his father had built was gone.
James The garden had become overgrown, and the porch swing his father had built was gone.
James stepped onto the porch.
A small brass lock hung from the front door.
He tried the handle.
stepped onto the porch.
A small brass lock hung from the front door.
He tried the handle.
It opened.
Inside, the house smelled of dust and damp wood.
He walked slowly through the living room, touchingIt opened.
Inside, the house smelled of dust and damp wood.
He walked slowly through the living room, touching the wall where his mother's photographs had once hung. He could almost hear the wall where his mother's photographs had once hung. He could almost hear her calling from the kitchen, reminding him to take off his shoes.
Marcus followed her calling from the kitchen, reminding him to take off his shoes.
Marcus followed him down the hallway.
“Where was the cabinet?”” he asked.
“Under the stairs.””
They found it behind him down the hallway.
“Where was the cabinet?”” he asked.
“Under the stairs.””
They found it behind a narrow wooden panel.
James pulled the panel aside.
The cabinet was still a narrow wooden panel.
James pulled the panel aside.
The cabinet was still there, its paint cracked and its brass handle tarnished.
He opened it.
Inside lay a small wooden there, its paint cracked and its brass handle tarnished.
He opened it.
Inside lay a small wooden box.
On the lid was a message written in his father's handwriting.
**For James, when he is old enough to box.
On the lid was a message written in his father's handwriting.
*For James, when he is old enough to understand.*
James lifted the lid.
Inside was a key, a folded map, and a photograph of a understand.**
James lifted the lid.
Inside was a key, a folded map, and a photograph of a young woman holding a newborn baby.
On the back of the photograph, his father had written a name.
**Am young woman holding a newborn baby.
On the back of the photograph, his father had written a name.
*Amara Brooks.*
Beneath it was an address.
And beneath the address was a final sentence.
*ara Brooks.*
Beneath it was an address.
And beneath the address was a final sentence.
*If you find your daughter, Thomas will find you.*
James stared at the words.
His fatherIf you find your daughter, Thomas will find you.**
James stared at the words.
His father had written them.
Not for James.
For someone else.
Someone who had been searching for had written them.
Not for James.
For someone else.
Someone who had been searching for Amara long before James knew she existed.
A floorboard creaked behind him.
James turned.
A woman stood in the hallway.
Should Amara long before James knew she existed.
A floorboard creaked behind him.
James turned.
A woman stood in the hallway.
Shoulder-length curls.
Navy blazer.
Silver pendant.
Amara.
She looked at James, then at the open cabinet.
For severaler-length curls.
Navy blazer.
Silver pendant.
Amara.
She looked at James, then at the open cabinet.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she stepped into the room.
“You shouldn't have come here,” she said.
James held seconds, neither spoke.
Then she stepped into the room.
“You shouldn't have come here,” she said.
James held up the photograph.
“Are you my sister?””
Amara's eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
James felt the word strike up the photograph.
“Are you my sister?””
Amara's eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
James felt the word strike him harder than anything Thomas had said.
He took a step toward her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
him harder than anything Thomas had said.
He took a step toward her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Amara looked down.
“Because I was afraid you'd hate me.””
“Why would I hate you?””
She swallowed.
“Amara looked down.
“Because I was afraid you'd hate me.””
“Why would I hate you?””
She swallowed.
“Because I didn't come here to meet you, James.””
HeBecause I didn't come here to meet you, James.””
He stared at her.
“Then why did you?””
Amara lifted her eyes.
“To make stared at her.
“Then why did you?””
Amara lifted her eyes.
“To make sure you never found out what your father did.””
Before James could answer, headlights swept across the hallway sure you never found out what your father did.””
Before James could answer, headlights swept across the hallway windows.
A car had pulled into the driveway.
Amara's face went windows.
A car had pulled into the driveway.
Amara's face went white.
She stepped toward the door, locked it, and whispered:
“Thomas is white.
She stepped toward the door, locked it, and whispered:
“Thomas is here.””
Then she looked directly at James.
“And he's not here to kill you.””
Her here.””
Then she looked directly at James.
“And he's not here to kill you.””
Her voice trembled.
“He's here to take back the evidence that proves your father killed someone.””
May you like
## voice trembled.
“He's here to take back the evidence that proves your father killed someone.””
