Chapter 10 - THE SECOND BETRAYAL
Just when the Hartwell family believed the worst was over, a new problem appeared.
The missing money had not all been recovered.
Nearly eighty million dollars remained hidden.
The investigators believed someone inside the company was still protecting the Ashfords.
Daniel received an anonymous message.
STOP LOOKING. YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST ONE FAMILY. DON'T LOSE YOUR MOTHER TOO.
He showed Evelyn.
She read it twice.
“Do you recognize the number?”
“No.”
“Then don't respond.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Someone is threatening you.”
“They are threatening you.”
“Because of me.”
“Because of the company.”
That night, Evelyn found her front door open.
Nothing had been stolen.
Except one thing.
Her father's letters.
Daniel arrived twenty minutes later.
He looked terrified.
“Why didn't you call me?”
“I did.”
He checked his phone.
There was no missed call.
Evelyn frowned.
“I called.”
Daniel looked at her phone.
The call had been made.
But it had been redirected.
Someone had accessed her device.
Daniel's face hardened.
“Someone is monitoring us.”
Evelyn looked toward the window.
“I know.”
Then the lights went out.
A noise came from the backyard.
Daniel grabbed a flashlight.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Mom.”
“I am not hiding in my own house.”
They moved together.
The back door was open.
On the floor was a single photograph.
It showed Daniel's father standing beside a woman.
Evelyn stared.
Her face changed.
Daniel noticed.
“Who is she?”
Evelyn did not answer.
“Mom.”
She whispered.
“Your father's first wife.”
Daniel froze.
“My father was married before you?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because she was dead before we met.”
“Then why does this matter?”
Evelyn turned the photograph over.
On the back was a message.
SHE DIDN'T DIE IN AN ACCIDENT.
Daniel stared.
The original murder investigation had always focused on his father.
But now there was another death.
Another secret.
Another person who might have known the truth.
Evelyn looked at him.
“The Ashfords didn't begin with your father.”
Daniel's voice was quiet.
“Then who did they kill first?”
May you like
Evelyn looked toward the darkness outside.
“I think we are about to find out.”
