Chapter 10 - Margaret’s Smile
Margaret Whitcomb received Caleb in a sunroom filled with orchids.
She wore pearls.
Her white hair was perfectly arranged.
Nothing about her suggested fear.
When Caleb placed Evelyn’s letter on the table, Margaret smiled faintly.
“Where did you find that?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because whoever gave it to you wants something.”
Caleb leaned forward.
“My daughter.”
Margaret’s smile disappeared.
“What happened?”
“You know.”
“No.”
“They want you at the lake.”
Margaret stared at him.
“Who?”
“I was hoping you could tell me.”
June stood near the doorway.
Meredith waited outside.
Margaret noticed June.
“Keller.”
June stiffened.
“You remember my family?”
“I remember everyone who worked for us.”
“My sister?”
Margaret’s eyes remained unreadable.
“Yes.”
June stepped forward.
“What happened to her?”
“She survived.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is more than most people got.”
Caleb stood.
“Enough.”
Margaret turned toward him.
“You have your father’s impatience.”
“And my mother’s questions.”
For the first time, Margaret flinched.
Caleb saw it.
“You were there when she died.”
Margaret looked toward the garden.
“Yes.”
“Did you kill her?”
“No.”
“Did my father?”
“No.”
“Victor?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Margaret met his eyes.
“Evelyn killed herself.”
June scoffed.
“You expect us to believe that?”
“I watched her walk into the lake.”
Caleb felt dizzy.
“Why?”
“Because she believed Adrian was dead.”
Caleb froze.
“Adrian died eight years later.”
Margaret’s expression did not change.
“Did he?”
The room became silent.
Caleb stared.
“You attended his funeral.”
“Yes.”
“I saw his body.”
“No.”
Caleb tried to remember.
Closed casket.
His father had said the boating accident had damaged Adrian beyond recognition.
“You’re saying Adrian survived?”
Margaret folded her hands.
“I’m saying your family has confused death with disappearance many times.”
June asked, “Is Adrian alive?”
Margaret looked at Caleb.
“I don’t know.”
“Where is Victor buried?”
Margaret gave a quiet laugh.
“Victor isn’t buried.”
Caleb stared.
The anonymous caller had lied.
“Then where is he?”
Margaret leaned closer.
“You have been obeying someone because they hold Elara.”
“Yes.”
“And that person keeps feeding you information.”
“Yes.”
“Information they want you to believe.”
Caleb’s stomach tightened.
May you like
Margaret whispered:
“What if the person holding your daughter is Victor Dane?”
