Chapter 6 - The Confession Adriana Never Wanted to Make

We drove back through freezing rain.

Marcus said almost nothing.

Adriana sat across from him.

Her dark red gown was hidden beneath a black coat.

She looked smaller now.

Not glamorous.

Not untouchable.

Just afraid.

Marcus finally asked:

"When did your grandfather tell you my mother was alive?"

"Three months ago."

"Why?"

"He needed me to convince you to move the wedding date."

Marcus looked at her.

"We never set a wedding date."

"He wanted Christmas."

Marcus laughed once.

"Of course he did."

Adriana continued:

"He said certain trusts would merge after marriage."

"Which trusts?"

"I don't know."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"No."

She looked at him.

"I expect you to believe I was afraid to ask."

Marcus remained silent.

She reached into her purse.

Then handed him a small card.

Six numbers.

"What is this?"

"My grandfather's private safe code."

Henry looked at her.

"Where?"

"The Bell house."

Marcus frowned.

"What is inside?"

"I don't know."

"You just happened to memorize the code?"

Adriana shook her head.

"I watched him open it two weeks ago."

"Why?"

"Because he took out a photograph."

Marcus waited.

"Of your mother."

Marcus's eyes hardened.

"Recent?"

"Yes."

"How recent?"

"Last month."

Marcus stopped breathing.

Edward had known what Sarah looked like now.

Adriana continued:

"I asked him why he had it."

"What did he say?"

"That old problems become new problems when people stop being afraid."

Marcus looked away.

Adriana touched his sleeve.

He moved his arm.

She whispered:

"I tried to destroy the drawing because I knew Henry was bringing something connected to your parents."

"You knew Henry was coming?"

"My grandfather did."

Marcus stared at her.

"He told me to watch the entrance."

"And you did."

"Yes."

"To protect him."

"At first."

"At first?"

Adriana took a breath.

"When I saw your father's handwriting, I knew this was bigger than what he had told me."

Marcus's voice sharpened.

"So you tried to tear it."

"I panicked."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

Marcus leaned closer.

"What were you afraid would happen?"

She met his eyes.

"He told me that if you learned the truth, my brother would disappear."

Marcus frowned.

"You don't have a brother."

Adriana looked down.

"I do."

Silence.

Henry stared at her.

Marcus said:

"Who?"

"His name is Julian."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

Marcus's anger shifted.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"My mother had him when I was nine."

"Why has no one heard of him?"

"Because my grandfather had him sent away."

Marcus stared.

"Why?"

"Julian was born with severe hearing loss."

Marcus looked confused.

Adriana's voice broke.

"My grandfather said weakness attracts enemies."

Marcus sat back.

No one spoke.

"He paid for schools. Houses. Caregivers. Everything."

"But you couldn't see him?"

"Twice a year."

Marcus's face softened slightly.

Then hardened again.

"And he threatened him."

"Yes."

Marcus looked at Henry.

"Can we find him?"

Henry nodded.

"If Edward paid for it, there will be records."

Marcus looked at Adriana.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I learned very young what happens when I tell people things my grandfather wants hidden."

The car fell silent.

Then Marcus's phone rang.

Sarah.

He answered immediately.

"Mom."

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

"I'm at your house."

Marcus leaned forward.

"Is Edward there?"

"No."

"Are you safe?"

"For the moment."

"Do not leave."

"Marcus."

"What?"

"Edward knows I have the recording."

Marcus looked at Henry.

"Where is it?"

Sarah answered:

"Not with me."

Marcus exhaled.

"Good."

"No."

Her voice lowered.

"Not good."

"Why?"

"Because I sent it to someone else."

"Who?"

"Your father."

Marcus froze.

Adriana looked up.

Marcus whispered:

"Dad is dead."

"I know."

"Then what are you talking about?"

Sarah said:

"Daniel arranged for something to be released after my death or Edward's arrest."

Marcus stared at the road ahead.

"What?"

"The full archive."

Henry leaned closer.

Sarah continued:

"Everything he collected."

Marcus asked:

"Where?"

"A law office in Boston."

"Then call them."

"I did."

"And?"

Silence.

"Someone already collected the box."

Marcus's face changed.

"Who?"

"They used your identification."

Marcus stared.

"My ID?"

"Yes."

"That's impossible."

Henry whispered:

"Edward."

Adriana said:

"He has copies of everything."

Marcus looked at her.

Sarah continued:

"Marcus, there is one more thing."

"What?"

"The person who collected that box knew the private phrase Daniel used with the lawyer."

Marcus frowned.

"Who knew it?"

"Only three people."

"Who?"

"Daniel."

A pause.

"Me."

Another pause.

"And Henry."

Everyone turned toward Henry.

Henry's face went blank.

Marcus looked at him.

The car slowed.

Rain hit the windows.

Marcus asked:

"Henry?"

Henry did not answer.

Marcus's voice became colder.

"Tell me she is wrong."

Henry closed his eyes.

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Then he said:

"She isn't."