Chapter 9: The Evidence Hidden in the Walls
Marcus was waiting outside my house.
That surprised me.
I had expected him to call.
To text.
To find another way to control the conversation.
But he was standing there.
Waiting.
Like he knew something had changed.
"You talked to Vanessa.""
I didn't answer.
"You need to stay away from her.""
I almost smiled.
"That's what you always say.""
His face tightened.
"Claire, she's not telling you everything.""
"Neither are you.""
Silence.
The difference was that this time, I didn't feel hurt by his silence.
I expected it.
"What do you want?""
He looked at the house.
"Our children.""
My expression changed.
"What about them?""
"I want to protect them.""
I laughed quietly.
"Funny.""
"What?""
"You always say you're protecting people.""
He looked away.
Because he knew.
"Where were you the night Daniel died?""
The question hit him.
"I told you.""
"Tell me again.""
Marcus stared at me.
"Why?""
"Because I want to hear the story from the man who lived it.""
His jaw tightened.
"I was at the warehouse.""
My heart sank.
"Alone?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did Vanessa say she was there?""
His face changed.
"Because she followed me.""
"Why?""
"Because she thought I was hiding something.""
"And were you?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Marcus.""
Finally, he whispered:
"Yes.""
The honesty shocked me.
"What were you hiding?""
He looked at the ground.
"The evidence.""
"What evidence?""
"The files Daniel found.""
I froze.
"You still have them?""
He nodded.
"Where?""
He looked at me.
"Somewhere safe.""
"Where?""
He hesitated.
Then said:
"In our house.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
Marcus looked toward our home.
"I hid them before I met you.""
My heart started pounding.
"You brought them into our marriage?""
"I thought nobody would ever find them.""
"Where?""
He looked terrified.
"In the walls.""
I couldn't speak.
"Our house?""
He nodded.
"The house was new when we bought it.""
My mind raced.
A hidden secret inside the place where my children grew up.
Inside the walls where we built our life.
"Why are you telling me now?""
Marcus looked at me.
"Because someone else is looking for them.""
A cold feeling moved through me.
"Who?""
He didn't answer.
Because at that exact moment, a car stopped at the end of the street.
A person stepped out.
And even from a distance, I recognized her.
Natalie.
She wasn't alone.
There was another person beside her.
A man.
Older.
Holding a folder.
Marcus saw him.
And all the color left his face.
"Who is that?""
Marcus whispered:
"Robert.""
I looked at him.
"Your employee?""
Marcus shook his head slowly.
"No.""
His voice was barely audible.
"Daniel's brother.""
The man walked toward us.
May you like
And in his hands was the final piece of a mystery that had started ten years ago.
A piece that could destroy Marcus forever.
