Chapter 14 - THE MAN I TRUSTED
Marcus didn't deny it.
When I confronted him, he simply sat across from me and stared at the photograph.
"I knew this day would come."
"How long?"
"Since before Madeline died."
I felt anger rising in my chest.
"You worked for her."
"Yes."
"You worked for Patricia."
"Yes."
"Who do you work for now?"
Marcus looked at me.
"You."
I almost laughed.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"No."
He reached into his coat and placed a small flash drive on the table.
"This is everything."
I didn't touch it.
"What is it?"
"Proof."
"Of what?"
"That I was the one who helped Madeline disappear."
Silence.
I stared at him.
"She wasn't killed?"
"No."
"Where is she?"
Marcus lowered his eyes.
"I don't know."
My heart sank.
"But you said you helped her."
"I helped her escape."
"From whom?"
Marcus finally looked up.
"From you."
The words hit harder than anything else.
"What?"
"Madeline believed that if you knew she was alive, you'd come after the people responsible."
"And?"
"You would have."
He paused.
"That's exactly what they wanted."
I stood slowly.
"Who are they?"
Marcus shook his head.
"I don't know all of them."
"Then give me one name."
He hesitated.
Finally:
"Jonathan Vale."
The same name from Madeline's file.
"The man who called you?"
Marcus nodded.
"He has been waiting for you to find him."
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice whispered:
"Ethan..."
I froze.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it in my dreams for twelve years.
"Madeline?"
"Don't trust Marcus."
The line went dead.
I looked at Marcus.
He was pale.
Then another message arrived.
A photograph of Madeline.
Alive.
Terrified.
May you like
And standing somewhere I recognized.
My own house.
