Chapter 11 - The Voice Without a Face
Caleb demanded proof.
Margaret gave him a key instead.
It belonged to a safe-deposit box opened in 1997.
The bank was in Boston.
Inside, Caleb found old photographs, company papers, and a cassette tape.
June located a player.
Victor Dane’s voice filled the room.
“If Warren ever hears this, I’m already gone.”
Caleb leaned closer.
Victor described the night Evelyn died.
He claimed she had discovered Warren’s financial crimes.
She wanted to expose him.
Victor agreed to help.
They planned to leave the estate with copies of the records.
But someone warned Margaret.
That was where the tape became confusing.
Victor said Evelyn panicked.
Warren arrived.
An argument began.
Lacey entered accidentally.
Then the recording stopped.
On the reverse side, another fragment played.
A woman’s voice.
Young.
Possibly Evelyn.
“Take Adrian. Don’t let Margaret find him.”
Then Victor:
“What about Caleb?”
A pause.
Evelyn answered:
“Caleb has to stay.”
Caleb stopped the tape.
“Why?”
No one answered.
June looked at him.
“Maybe she thought moving both boys would be impossible.”
“Or she chose Adrian.”
The pain in his voice surprised even him.
His mother had planned to escape with his brother.
Not him.
Meredith spoke quietly.
“Caleb, you were fourteen.”
“That makes it better?”
“No.”
He walked away.
Then his phone rang.
The distorted voice again.
“Bring Margaret.”
Caleb answered coldly.
“You’re Victor.”
Silence.
Then laughter.
“You’re getting closer.”
“Let me see Elara.”
A video appeared.
Elara was awake.
Someone held a bottle near her.
She looked tired but unharmed.
Caleb’s chest tightened.
“You touch her—”
“I haven’t.”
“You ordered Meredith to burn her.”
Meredith shook her head violently.
The voice paused.
“I ordered Meredith to create fear.”
Caleb stared at her.
“She chose the iron.”
Meredith began crying.
“No.”
The voice continued.
“Ask her.”
Caleb turned.
Meredith backed away.
“They said hurt someone.”
“Someone?”
“I thought—”
“You burned my daughter.”
“I panicked.”
Caleb looked sick.
The caller said, “Meredith has always been good at choosing cruelty when frightened.”
“Who are you?”
“You’ll know soon.”
The call ended.
June stared at Meredith.
“So they never told you to burn Elara.”
Meredith shook her head.
“I thought if the injury looked serious enough, Caleb would fire you immediately.”
June’s face filled with disgust.
“You nearly killed a baby to save yourself.”
“My son.”
“No.”
June stepped closer.
“To save yourself.”
Meredith did not answer.
Caleb said nothing for a long time.
Then he picked up the cassette.
“We’re going to the lake.”
“With Margaret?” June asked.
Caleb looked at Meredith.
May you like
“No.”
“With the person they really want.”
