Chapter 12 - Blood Never Forgets
Blood Never Forgets
The investigation led Nathan to a forgotten psychiatric hospital outside Richmond.
Evelyn had been transferred there briefly after Anna's disappearance.
The official records said she suffered a breakdown.
The private records said something else.
She had requested protection.
A doctor named Elias Morgan had documented her claim that Richard was being blackmailed by Howard.
Elias was dead.
His daughter, Claire Morgan, was alive.
She met Nathan in a bookstore and handed him a journal.
“My father told me never to open it unless someone from the Cole family came looking for the truth.”
Nathan opened the first page.
Elias had recorded conversations with Evelyn, Richard, and Howard.
The final entry mentioned a fourth family.
The Vale family.
Margaret had not merely been a nurse.
She had once been the financial controller of Sterling Strategic Holdings.
She knew where the money had gone.
And she had secretly moved one account into Evelyn's name.
The account was still active.
Nathan asked Claire why she was helping him.
“Because my father died believing he failed your mother.”
Nathan closed the journal.
“You may be risking your life.”
Claire smiled sadly.
“So did your mother.”
Before they could leave, the bookstore lights went out.
A car crashed through the front window.
Nathan pulled Claire to the floor.
Grace, waiting outside, called emergency services.
A masked man escaped through the alley.
On the pavement he left one thing behind.
A silver coin engraved with the Cole crest.
Nathan picked it up.
Someone was warning them.
May you like
Or inviting them.
Either way, the past was no longer buried.
