Chapter 42 - THE MAN I NEVER KNEW
I had spent my entire life believing my father died before I was old enough to remember him.
His name was Michael Reed.
According to every document, he had died in a construction accident when I was three.
There had been a funeral.
A grave.
A death certificate.
Everything.
But now my grandfather was telling me something impossible.
“He didn't die.”
I could barely speak.
“He disappeared.”
“Why?”
“Because he discovered what the trust contained.”
“What did he discover?”
My grandfather opened a drawer.
Inside was an old photograph.
My father stood beside a younger version of himself.
Another man stood next to him.
I recognized him immediately.
Arthur Bell.
But there was another person.
A woman.
I stared.
“Who is she?”
My grandfather hesitated.
“Your father's sister.”
“My aunt?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“Dead.”
“How?”
“Officially?”
He looked at me.
“She died in a fire.”
I felt another wave of cold.
“Unofficially?”
“She disappeared.”
I stared at the photograph.
“How many people in this family have supposedly died?”
My grandfather looked away.
“Too many.”
Then he handed me another document.
It was a bank transfer.
The account holder was Michael Reed.
The date was twelve years after his supposed death.
I looked at my grandfather.
“My father was alive.”
“Yes.”
“And you knew?”
“I suspected.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was trying to protect you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
My grandfather lowered his head.
“I know.”
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice said:
“Emily?”
May you like
“Yes.”
“My name is Michael.”
