Chapter 9: The Last Secret of Ryan Mitchell
Detective Harris arrived at the guest residence shortly after eight the following morning.
She carried a folder and looked as though she hadn't slept.
“Emily, we need to talk about the storage facility.””
Dad invited her inside.
Lily was eating breakfast at the kitchen table, carefully arranging blueberries into a smiley face. I as though she hadn't slept.
“Emily, we need to talk about the storage facility.””
Dad invited her inside.
Lily was eating breakfast at the kitchen table, carefully arranging blueberries into a smiley face. I asked Daniel to stay with her while the adults spoke in the living room.
Detective Harris opened the folder.
“We've confirmed that the vehicle seen near the storage facility was leased through a company associated with Ryan's real estate business. The person driving it appears to be an asked Daniel to stay with her while the adults spoke in the living room.
Detective Harris opened the folder.
“We've confirmed that the vehicle seen near the storage facility was leased through a company associated with Ryan's real estate business. The person driving it appears to be an associate of his.””
“Who?””
“His former business partner, Marcus Bell.””
I searched my memory.
I had heard the name before. Ryan sometimes took calls from a man he called Marcus, usually late at night or while driving associate of his.””
“Who?””
“His former business partner, Marcus Bell.””
I searched my memory.
I had heard the name before. Ryan sometimes took calls from a man he called Marcus, usually late at night or while driving home.
He always claimed Marcus was an investor.
“Is Marcus involved in the assault?””
“We have no evidence connecting him to the domestic home.
He always claimed Marcus was an investor.
“Is Marcus involved in the assault?””
“We have no evidence connecting him to the domestic assault itself. But he appears to have had contact with Ryan shortly before the incident at your house.””
Dad folded his arms.
“What kind of contact?””
“Phone calls and financial transactions. We're examining whether those transactions assault itself. But he appears to have had contact with Ryan shortly before the incident at your house.””
Dad folded his arms.
“What kind of contact?””
“Phone calls and financial transactions. We're examining whether those transactions relate to the missing-person investigation.””
I felt a chill.
“Do you think Ryan knows where Victoria is?””
“We believe he may have information about her disappearance. We haven't established whether she is currently in danger.””
I looked relate to the missing-person investigation.””
I felt a chill.
“Do you think Ryan knows where Victoria is?””
“We believe he may have information about her disappearance. We haven't established whether she is currently in danger.””
I looked at the folder.
“Can you take me to her?””
“No,” Detective Harris replied.
“Not until we have a verified location and an appropriate safety plan.””
I swallowed my frustration.
“Then what can I do?””
“For now, tell us everything you remember about Marcus Bell at the folder.
“Can you take me to her?””
“No,” Detective Harris replied.
“Not until we have a verified location and an appropriate safety plan.””
I swallowed my frustration.
“Then what can I do?””
“For now, tell us everything you remember about Marcus Bell. Any unusual conversations, visits, or documents you saw.””
I thought carefully.
“There was a night about a year after Lily was born when Ryan came home furious.. Any unusual conversations, visits, or documents you saw.””
I thought carefully.
“There was a night about a year after Lily was born when Ryan came home furious. He said Marcus had betrayed him.””
“What did he mean?””
“I don't know. He went into his office and locked the door. I heard him shouting on the phone.””
“Do you remember what He said Marcus had betrayed him.””
“What did he mean?””
“I don't know. He went into his office and locked the door. I heard him shouting on the phone.””
“Do you remember what he said?””
I closed my eyes.
Some memories were like photographs.
Others were fragments.
I remembered Ryan pacing in front of the desk, his face red, one hand pressed against his forehead.
I remembered he said?””
I closed my eyes.
Some memories were like photographs.
Others were fragments.
I remembered Ryan pacing in front of the desk, his face red, one hand pressed against his forehead.
I remembered him saying, “You promised me the records were gone.””
Then, a few seconds later:
“If she finds out, we're both finished.””
My eyes opened.
I told Detective Harris exactly what I remembered.
She wrote it down.
“Did you him saying, “You promised me the records were gone.””
Then, a few seconds later:
“If she finds out, we're both finished.””
My eyes opened.
I told Detective Harris exactly what I remembered.
She wrote it down.
“Did you ever ask him who he meant by 'she'?””
“Yes. The next morning.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me it was a business dispute and that I shouldn't worry about it.””
Detect ever ask him who he meant by 'she'?””
“Yes. The next morning.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me it was a business dispute and that I shouldn't worry about it.””
Detective Harris nodded.
“That may be relevant.””
After she left, I walked into the kitchen.
Lily was sitting with Daniel, drawing another picture.
This oneive Harris nodded.
“That may be relevant.””
After she left, I walked into the kitchen.
Lily was sitting with Daniel, drawing another picture.
This one showed a house with a large red door.
“What's that?”” I asked.
“Our new house,” she said.
I sat beside her.
“Why does it have a red door?””
“So we can find it if we get lost.””
My throat tightened showed a house with a large red door.
“What's that?”” I asked.
“Our new house,” she said.
I sat beside her.
“Why does it have a red door?””
“So we can find it if we get lost.””
My throat tightened.
“That's a good idea.””
She colored the roof blue.
“Mommy?””
“Yes?””
“Are we going back to our old house?””
I looked at her small hands.
“I don't know yet.””
“Because Daddy is there?””
I nodded.
.
“That's a good idea.””
She colored the roof blue.
“Mommy?””
“Yes?””
“Are we going back to our old house?””
I looked at her small hands.
“I don't know yet.””
“Because Daddy is there?””
I nodded.
She pressed the crayon harder against the paper.
“I don't want to go back.””
“You don't have to decide anything today.””
She looked up at me.
“Can I still have my bicycle?””
I smiled sadly.
“Yes, sweetheart. We'llShe pressed the crayon harder against the paper.
“I don't want to go back.””
“You don't have to decide anything today.””
She looked up at me.
“Can I still have my bicycle?””
I smiled sadly.
“Yes, sweetheart. We'll get your bicycle.””
She seemed satisfied with that answer.
But as she returned to her drawing, I realized how much she had lost in a single night.
Her bedroom.
Her toys.
The familiar sounds of home.
The simple belief that her father would get your bicycle.””
She seemed satisfied with that answer.
But as she returned to her drawing, I realized how much she had lost in a single night.
Her bedroom.
Her toys.
The familiar sounds of home.
The simple belief that her father would protect her.
I couldn't give her all of that back.
But I could give her something else.
A home where she wasn't afraid.
That afternoon, Daniel received a call from Detective Harris.
They had obtained authorization to examine the storage facility.
I listened protect her.
I couldn't give her all of that back.
But I could give her something else.
A home where she wasn't afraid.
That afternoon, Daniel received a call from Detective Harris.
They had obtained authorization to examine the storage facility.
I listened while he spoke, my heart racing.
When he ended the call, he turned toward Dad.
“They found documents inside one of the storage units.””
“What kind of documents?”” Dad asked.
“Corporate records, photographs, and correspondence while he spoke, my heart racing.
When he ended the call, he turned toward Dad.
“They found documents inside one of the storage units.””
“What kind of documents?”” Dad asked.
“Corporate records, photographs, and correspondence. Some appear to be connected to Victoria's disappearance.””
“Was she there?””
“No. But there was evidence that someone had used the unit recently.””
Dad looked at me.
Daniel continued.
“They also found a locked metal box. Some appear to be connected to Victoria's disappearance.””
“Was she there?””
“No. But there was evidence that someone had used the unit recently.””
Dad looked at me.
Daniel continued.
“They also found a locked metal box containing personal documents belonging to Emily.””
I stared at him.
“My documents?””
“Copies of your birth certificate, school records, and several photographs from your childhood.””
I containing personal documents belonging to Emily.””
I stared at him.
“My documents?””
“Copies of your birth certificate, school records, and several photographs from your childhood.””
I felt suddenly nauseated.
“Why would Ryan have those?””
“We don't know yet.””
Dad stood and walked toward the window.
“This was not an ordinary business felt suddenly nauseated.
“Why would Ryan have those?””
“We don't know yet.””
Dad stood and walked toward the window.
“This was not an ordinary business dispute.””
I sat down.
The thought that Ryan had kept copies of my childhood records felt more dispute.””
I sat down.
The thought that Ryan had kept copies of my childhood records felt more intimate and frightening than any of the financial documents.
He had known my mother's name.
He had known where I went to school.
He had known about my father's wealth.
Had he been studying me long before we met?
Or had someone else intimate and frightening than any of the financial documents.
He had known my mother's name.
He had known where I went to school.
He had known about my father's wealth.
Had he been studying me long before we met?
Or had someone else collected those records and passed them to him?
An hour later, Detective Harris returned with an update.
“We've identified a possible location for Victoria. A witness reported seeing her at a small motel outside Rockford several days ago.””
“Is she still there?”” I asked.
“We collected those records and passed them to him?
An hour later, Detective Harris returned with an update.
“We've identified a possible location for Victoria. A witness reported seeing her at a small motel outside Rockford several days ago.””
“Is she still there?”” I asked.
“We don't know. Officers are checking.””
“Please tell me if you find her.””
“I will.””
She paused.
“There's another development. Ryan has requested to speak with you.””
My stomach tightened.
“No.””
“You don't know. Officers are checking.””
“Please tell me if you find her.””
“I will.””
She paused.
“There's another development. Ryan has requested to speak with you.””
My stomach tightened.
“No.””
“You are not required to speak with him,” she said immediately.
“Given the threats and the assault, I would not recommend direct contact.””
Dad's expression was hard.
“He can communicate through his attorney.””
“I are not required to speak with him,” she said immediately.
“Given the threats and the assault, I would not recommend direct contact.””
Dad's expression was hard.
“He can communicate through his attorney.””
“I agree,” Detective Harris said.
Then she added, “However, Ryan has provided information about Victoria. He claims he knows where she went after she disappeared.””
I looked at her.
“Does he want something in exchange?””
“He hasn't made that clear.””
agree,” Detective Harris said.
Then she added, “However, Ryan has provided information about Victoria. He claims he knows where she went after she disappeared.””
I looked at her.
“Does he want something in exchange?””
“He hasn't made that clear.””
I almost laughed.
Even now, Ryan was treating information like a weapon.
“Tell him I'm not meeting him.””
“I will.””
Detective Harris left to continue the investigation.
That evening, Dad and I sat at the dining table reviewing the copies of my mother's lettersI almost laughed.
Even now, Ryan was treating information like a weapon.
“Tell him I'm not meeting him.””
“I will.””
Detective Harris left to continue the investigation.
That evening, Dad and I sat at the dining table reviewing the copies of my mother's letters.
I kept returning to the same question.
Why had Ryan married me?
I knew there was no answer yet. But I needed to understand whether our relationship had been real or whether I had been a means to an end.
Dad looked up from the papers.
“Emily, whatever we discover,.
I kept returning to the same question.
Why had Ryan married me?
I knew there was no answer yet. But I needed to understand whether our relationship had been real or whether I had been a means to an end.
Dad looked up from the papers.
“Emily, whatever we discover, it won't erase the years you spent loving him.””
I stared at him.
“What if he never loved me?””
“Then that says something about him. It doesn't make your love foolish.””
I swallowed.
“I gave him everything it won't erase the years you spent loving him.””
I stared at him.
“What if he never loved me?””
“Then that says something about him. It doesn't make your love foolish.””
I swallowed.
“I gave him everything.””
“You gave him your trust.””
“And he used it.””
“Yes,” Dad said quietly.
“He did.””
For once, I didn't need him to soften the truth.
I needed someone to acknowledge it.
The next morning, Detective Harris called again.
They had located Victoria.
She was.””
“You gave him your trust.””
“And he used it.””
“Yes,” Dad said quietly.
“He did.””
For once, I didn't need him to soften the truth.
I needed someone to acknowledge it.
The next morning, Detective Harris called again.
They had located Victoria.
She was alive.
She had been staying under an assumed name at a motel outside Rockford, and officers had made contact with her through her attorney.
She had agreed to speak with investigators.
But she had one condition.
She wanted to see me.
Dad insisted that the alive.
She had been staying under an assumed name at a motel outside Rockford, and officers had made contact with her through her attorney.
She had agreed to speak with investigators.
But she had one condition.
She wanted to see me.
Dad insisted that the meeting take place at a secure location, with Detective Harris present.
Victoria agreed.
Two hours later, I entered a quiet interview room at a police facility.
A woman stood beside the window with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
She wore a dark meeting take place at a secure location, with Detective Harris present.
Victoria agreed.
Two hours later, I entered a quiet interview room at a police facility.
A woman stood beside the window with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
She wore a dark sweater and jeans. Her hair was shorter than in the photographs, and there were faint lines beneath her eyes.
When she turned toward me, I stopped.
It was like looking at a version of myself from another life.
She stared at sweater and jeans. Her hair was shorter than in the photographs, and there were faint lines beneath her eyes.
When she turned toward me, I stopped.
It was like looking at a version of myself from another life.
She stared at me.
Then she whispered, “Emily?””
I nodded.
She covered her mouth.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then she began to cry.
“I thought I'd never get to see you.””
I stepped forward.
“Are you Victoria?””
She nodded.
“I'm your sister.””
The me.
Then she whispered, “Emily?””
I nodded.
She covered her mouth.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then she began to cry.
“I thought I'd never get to see you.””
I stepped forward.
“Are you Victoria?””
She nodded.
“I'm your sister.””
The words sounded impossible.
I had never had a sister.
I had never shared a bedroom, fought over toys, or whispered secrets beneath blankets with someone who understood our family from the inside.
Now she stood in front of me, carrying words sounded impossible.
I had never had a sister.
I had never shared a bedroom, fought over toys, or whispered secrets beneath blankets with someone who understood our family from the inside.
Now she stood in front of me, carrying the same eyes as our mother.
I reached for her.
She took my hands.
We stood together, crying silently, while Detective Harris gave us a moment.
Eventually, Victoria sat down.
“I need to tell you why I disappeared,” she said.
I nodded.
“Please.””
She the same eyes as our mother.
I reached for her.
She took my hands.
We stood together, crying silently, while Detective Harris gave us a moment.
Eventually, Victoria sat down.
“I need to tell you why I disappeared,” she said.
I nodded.
“Please.””
She looked at the detective, who confirmed that the conversation was being documented.
Then Victoria turned back to me.
“Your husband found out about me through his business dealings with my father. He discovered that I had copies of records showing how looked at the detective, who confirmed that the conversation was being documented.
Then Victoria turned back to me.
“Your husband found out about me through his business dealings with my father. He discovered that I had copies of records showing how money had been moved through several companies.””
“Were the records illegal?””
“Some transactions appeared to be fraudulent. Others were deliberately structured to conceal who controlled certain properties. I gave the documents to a lawyer, and I intended to cooperate with investigators.””
“ money had been moved through several companies.””
“Were the records illegal?””
“Some transactions appeared to be fraudulent. Others were deliberately structured to conceal who controlled certain properties. I gave the documents to a lawyer, and I intended to cooperate with investigators.””
“Did Ryan know?””
“Yes. He tried to convince me to hand over the records.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me people would get hurt if I exposed them.””
My hands tightened in my lap.
“Did he threaten you?””
“He threatenedDid Ryan know?””
“Yes. He tried to convince me to hand over the records.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me people would get hurt if I exposed them.””
My hands tightened in my lap.
“Did he threaten you?””
“He threatened my reputation first. Then my safety.””
Victoria looked down.
“I disappeared because I believed someone was following me. I changed my name, moved between temporary addresses, and avoided anyone connected to my father.””
my reputation first. Then my safety.””
Victoria looked down.
“I disappeared because I believed someone was following me. I changed my name, moved between temporary addresses, and avoided anyone connected to my father.””
“Why didn't you contact the police?””
“I did, eventually. But I was frightened, and I didn't trust the people handling the case. I gave information to an attorney, but I didn't have enough evidence to prove who was responsible.””
I thought about the anonymous messages,“Why didn't you contact the police?””
“I did, eventually. But I was frightened, and I didn't trust the people handling the case. I gave information to an attorney, but I didn't have enough evidence to prove who was responsible.””
I thought about the anonymous messages, the storage unit, and the photograph.
“Why contact me now?””
Victoria's eyes filled again.
“Because I found our mother's letter.””
She reached into her bag and removed a folded page.
“I discovered it in my father's archive after he died. I the storage unit, and the photograph.
“Why contact me now?””
Victoria's eyes filled again.
“Because I found our mother's letter.””
She reached into her bag and removed a folded page.
“I discovered it in my father's archive after he died. I learned that Margaret had another daughter, and I found your name.””
She looked at me with an expression that was almost painful to witness.
“I wanted to contact you years ago. But I was afraid that Ryan would use you to find me.””
“Did he know who I was before learned that Margaret had another daughter, and I found your name.””
She looked at me with an expression that was almost painful to witness.
“I wanted to contact you years ago. But I was afraid that Ryan would use you to find me.””
“Did he know who I was before we met?””
Victoria nodded slowly.
“I believe he did.””
My heart sank.
“Why?””
“Because he once asked me whether I knew where Margaret's younger daughter lived. I refused to answer.””
I felt cold.
“He we met?””
Victoria nodded slowly.
“I believe he did.””
My heart sank.
“Why?””
“Because he once asked me whether I knew where Margaret's younger daughter lived. I refused to answer.””
I felt cold.
“He was looking for me?””
“Yes. But I don't know exactly why he chose to marry you. I suspect he believed your father's business connections might be useful to him.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Did he ever love me?””
Victoria's face softened.
“I was looking for me?””
“Yes. But I don't know exactly why he chose to marry you. I suspect he believed your father's business connections might be useful to him.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Did he ever love me?””
Victoria's face softened.
“I can't answer that, Emily. I only know that whatever he felt, he chose to hurt you and deceive you. That part belongs to him.””
I nodded, fighting tears.
Then she reached across can't answer that, Emily. I only know that whatever he felt, he chose to hurt you and deceive you. That part belongs to him.””
I nodded, fighting tears.
Then she reached across the table.
“There's something else you need to know.””
I looked up.
“Ryan didn't just want the financial records.””
She took a breath.
“He believed your mother left the table.
“There's something else you need to know.””
I looked up.
“Ryan didn't just want the financial records.””
She took a breath.
“He believed your mother left behind a document that could expose the entire scheme. A document naming everyone involved.””
“What document?””
Victoria shook her head.
“I don't know where it is. But I believe Ryan thought you might have it.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would I have it?””
“Because Margaret trusted behind a document that could expose the entire scheme. A document naming everyone involved.””
“What document?””
Victoria shook her head.
“I don't know where it is. But I believe Ryan thought you might have it.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would I have it?””
“Because Margaret trusted you. Because she kept her old letters and photographs. And because he may have believed that something hidden in your family history could lead him to the records.””
I stared at her.
The box of my mother's belongings.
The letters.
The photograph of Victoria you. Because she kept her old letters and photographs. And because he may have believed that something hidden in your family history could lead him to the records.””
I stared at her.
The box of my mother's belongings.
The letters.
The photograph of Victoria as a child.
Could something important have been hidden among them all this time?
Before I could ask another question, Detective Harris entered the room.
“Victoria, we need to discuss a development in Ryan's case.””
Victoria as a child.
Could something important have been hidden among them all this time?
Before I could ask another question, Detective Harris entered the room.
“Victoria, we need to discuss a development in Ryan's case.””
Victoria went pale.
“What happened?””
“His attorney has contacted us. Ryan is willing to provide information about the financial investigation, but he says he will only cooperate if Emily agrees to hear him out.””
I shook my head immediately.
“No.””
Detective Harris nodded.
“You don't have to meet him went pale.
“What happened?””
“His attorney has contacted us. Ryan is willing to provide information about the financial investigation, but he says he will only cooperate if Emily agrees to hear him out.””
I shook my head immediately.
“No.””
Detective Harris nodded.
“You don't have to meet him.””
Victoria gripped my hand.
“Don't go near him, Emily.””
“I won't.””
But as we left the interview room, a uniformed officer approached Detective Harris with a sealed envelope.
It had been delivered to the station for me.
Inside was a single.””
Victoria gripped my hand.
“Don't go near him, Emily.””
“I won't.””
But as we left the interview room, a uniformed officer approached Detective Harris with a sealed envelope.
It had been delivered to the station for me.
Inside was a single page.
The handwriting was Ryan's.
*You want to know why I married you? Ask your father what he promised Thomas Hale twenty years ago.*
I stared at the message.
Then I looked at Dad, who had been page.
The handwriting was Ryan's.
*You want to know why I married you? Ask your father what he promised Thomas Hale twenty years ago.*
I stared at the message.
Then I looked at Dad, who had been waiting in the corridor.
May you like
His face had gone completely white.
Because for the first time, he seemed to understand that Ryan's secrets might not be the only ones threatening to destroy our family.
