Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPHEthan spent the following morning searching every archive he could access.
Old newspapers.
Property records.
Court filings.
County databases.
The internet gave him almost nothing.
Rebecca Hale had existed.
Then she had disappeared.
The official story was simple.
Accidental death.
No criminal investigation.
No suspect.
No lawsuit.
No controversy.
It was almost too clean.
Ethan called his attorney.
“I need everything related to Rebecca Hale.”
There was a pause.
“Rebecca Hale?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Just find it.”
His attorney agreed.
Two hours later, he called back.
“You won't like this.”
“What?”
“There are missing records.”
“How many?”
“Thirty-seven pages from the original police file.”
Ethan stared at his laptop.
“Who removed them?”
“We're trying to determine that.”
“Do it.”
The attorney lowered his voice.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“Your family's estate was investigated for financial irregularities the same year Rebecca died.”
Ethan felt his stomach tighten.
“Did you know that?”
“No.”
“You should.”
“I know.”
The call ended.
Ethan sat silently.
Then he opened the old photograph again.
Rebecca stood beside another woman.
Ethan recognized the second woman immediately.
His mother.
But there was something else.
Rebecca was holding a baby.
A newborn.
Ethan zoomed in.
The baby wore a tiny bracelet.
A white bracelet.
Exactly like the one Victoria had put on his son.
Maria found him in the study.
“You found it.”
Ethan looked up.
“You knew.”
Maria slowly closed the door.
“Yes.”
“Tell me everything.”
She sat down.
“Rebecca wasn't just a maid.”
“What was she?”
“She was your father's secretary.”
Ethan frowned.
“My father never had a female secretary.”
Maria smiled sadly.
“He told everyone she was a housekeeper.”
“Why?”
“Because she knew too much.”
“What did she know?”
Maria looked toward the door.
“Your family had money problems.”
“That isn't a crime.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“But they had another problem.”
“What?”
“Your grandfather.”
Ethan went still.
“My grandfather died before I was born.”
Maria nodded.
“He was officially dead.”
Ethan stared.
“What does that mean?”
Maria didn't answer.
Instead, she handed him a letter.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
His mother's.
The letter was addressed to Rebecca.
If anything happens to me, take the child and leave.
Ethan's breathing stopped.
“What child?”
Maria looked at him.
“Your father had a daughter.”
Ethan stared.
“I don't have a sister.”
“You did.”
“What happened?”
“She disappeared.”
“When?”
“Three days before Rebecca died.”
Ethan looked at the photograph.
The baby.
The bracelet.
The missing woman.
Everything connected.
Then Maria whispered:
“Rebecca wasn't killed because she stole money.”
“Why?”
“She tried to expose what happened to the baby.”
Victoria was waiting in the dining room.
She looked perfectly calm.
Ethan walked toward her.
“Who is the baby in this photograph?”
Victoria looked at it.
For one second, fear crossed her face.
Then she smiled.
“I don't know.”
“Don't lie.”
“I've never seen it.”
Ethan placed the photograph on the table.
“You're wearing the same bracelet.”
Victoria stared at him.
Then she stood.
“You went through my things?”
“You tried to put this on our son.”
“I told you, I don't know what you're talking about.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“Who is Rebecca?”
Victoria's expression changed.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“Answer me.”
She whispered:
“You should leave this alone.”
“Why?”
“Because the people who killed her are still alive.”
Ethan's heart stopped.
“You know who killed her?”
Victoria looked toward the window.
“I know who ordered it.”
“Who?”
She looked at him.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Your family.”
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