Chapter 7: The Woman I Buried Was Still Alive
For several minutes, Marcus couldn't take his eyes off the photograph.
The woman standing beside his hospital bed had dark shoulder-length hair, a small scar above her left eyebrow, and the same delicate gold necklace he had given her on their tenth wedding anniversary.
Her name was Camille Reed.
His first wife.
The woman he had buried twelve years earlier.
Daniel placed the photograph on the desk.
“Marcus, we need to establish whether this picture is authentic.””
Marcus barely heard him.
“That's Camille.””
“You're certain?””
“I would recognize her anywhere.””
Daniel examined the image.
“When did she supposedly die?””
“Twelve years ago. A highway accident. The police identified her vehicle, and her remains were supposedly recovered.””
“Did you see her body?””
Marcus swallowed.
“No.””
Daniel looked up.
“What?””
“I never saw her body. Eleanor told me the funeral home recommended a closed casket because of the condition of the remains.””
Daniel slowly put the photograph down.
“Who handled the funeral arrangements?””
“Eleanor.””
“And the death certificate?””
“Eleanor handled that too.””
Marcus stood motionless.
For twelve years, he had believed grief was something he had learned to live with.
He remembered the funeral.
The flowers.
The black suit.
The empty space beside him when everyone went home.
He remembered Eleanor holding his hand and telling him that life had to continue.
Six months later, she had become the person he relied on most.
Eventually, he married her.
Now he wondered whether the woman who had comforted him after Camille's supposed death had known the truth all along.
Daniel closed the curtains.
“Marcus, listen to me. Thomas wants you to come to Savannah alone. That means he's setting a trap.””
“Camille might be alive.””
“Or he wants you to believe she is.””
“I need answers.””
“You'll get them. But not by walking into an unknown situation without protection.””
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
“Find Denise Ellis. Find out whether she's safe. Then arrange a secure meeting in Savannah.””
Daniel nodded.
“And what about Eleanor?””
Marcus glanced toward the hallway.
“Let her believe I know nothing.””
At 6:40 that evening, Marcus entered the dining room.
Eleanor was sitting at the table with Vanessa.
A bottle of expensive red wine stood between them.
Neither woman looked particularly surprised to see him.
“Darling,” Eleanor said, “you're late.””
Marcus pulled out his chair.
“Had some business to attend to.””
Vanessa avoided his eyes.
Eleanor poured him a glass of wine.
“Your brother came by earlier.””
“I know.””
“He was very upset.””
“Thomas has always been emotional.””
Eleanor gave a small laugh.
“He said you two had a disagreement.””
Marcus looked directly at her.
“Did he mention the photographs?””
Her hand stopped.
“What photographs?””
“The ones showing you at my hospital.””
Eleanor placed the bottle down.
“Marcus, I don't understand why you're obsessing over old records.””
“Neither do I.””
He took a sip of water.
Then he asked casually, “Do you remember Camille?””
The room went silent.
Vanessa slowly lowered her fork.
Eleanor's expression became unreadable.
“Why would you bring her up?””
“I found an old photograph.””
“That's unfortunate.””
“Unfortunate?””
“You know how painful that period was.””
Marcus watched her carefully.
“Do you remember the night she died?””
Eleanor nodded.
“Of course.””
“Where were you?””
“At home.””
“Who called you?””
Eleanor frowned.
“What kind of question is that?””
“A simple one.””
She placed her napkin on the table.
“Marcus, I was there for you when Camille died. I helped you through the worst period of your life. I won't sit here and let you question my loyalty because your brother has decided to spread lies.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Do you remember Camille?””
Vanessa nodded slowly.
“Only a little.””
“Do you remember what happened to her?””
Vanessa's fingers began trembling.
Eleanor immediately interrupted.
“Vanessa was young. She doesn't need to be dragged into this.””
Marcus leaned back.
“Interesting. I didn't say anything about dragging anyone anywhere.””
Eleanor stood.
“I'm finished with this conversation.””
She walked toward the kitchen.
Vanessa remained seated.
Marcus leaned toward her.
“Did you know Camille was alive?””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
She whispered, “I saw her once.””
Marcus went completely still.
“When?””
“Three years ago.””
“Where?””
“At the hospital.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Mom said she would destroy everything if I spoke.””
Marcus felt a terrible pressure building in his chest.
“What did she look like?””
“Older. Thinner. But it was her.””
“Did she speak to you?””
Vanessa nodded.
“She asked me to tell you something.””
“What?””
Vanessa looked toward the kitchen.
Then she whispered:
“She said, 'Tell Marcus our daughter is alive.''”
Marcus gripped the edge of the table.
“Our daughter?””
He and Camille had one child together.
A daughter named Lily.
She had been sixteen when Camille supposedly died.
But Marcus had been told Lily had died in the same accident.
He remembered the hospital notification.
The funeral.
The photographs.
He remembered the unbearable silence of the house afterward.
He looked at Vanessa.
“Lily died.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No, Marcus.””
Her voice broke.
“Lily was never in that car.””
That night, Marcus couldn't sleep.
At 2:15 a.m., he stood in the study looking at an old family photograph.
Camille was smiling.
Lily stood beside her, wearing a yellow sundress.
Marcus remembered taking that photograph at a beach in Florida.
Lily had been laughing because a seagull had stolen her sandwich.
He remembered her calling him every afternoon from school.
He remembered promising to attend her graduation.
And he remembered standing at a funeral twelve years ago, believing both of them were gone.
Daniel entered quietly.
“I have news.””
Marcus turned.
“Tell me.””
“We found Denise.””
“Is she safe?””
“She contacted our investigator from a hotel in Savannah. She's agreed to meet us tomorrow morning.””
“What about Camille?””
Daniel placed a document on the desk.
“Her death certificate appears to be fraudulent.””
Marcus stared.
“Fraudulent?””
“The identification records don't match. The medical examiner's office has no original examination report attached to the case.””
“Then whose remains were buried?””
“We don't know yet.””
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
“Find Lily.””
Daniel nodded.
“We're working on it.””
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
No number.
Just a photograph.
It showed a woman sitting in a small room.
Her hair was shorter.
Her face was thinner.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
Camille.
Underneath the photograph were six words.
Tomorrow. Savannah. Come without Eleanor.
Marcus's phone nearly slipped from his hand.
Then another message appeared.
And Marcus, don't bring Thomas.
He stared at the screen.
May you like
Because the person sending the messages knew exactly what he was planning.
And that meant someone inside the mansion was still watching him.
