Chapter 13 - Another Shaw
The clue led to Grace's closest friend, Allison Shaw, Rebecca's estranged daughter. Allison had once worked as a clerk for Oakridge. She left town after a nervous breakdown and disappeared from most public records.
Rebecca's face went pale. "Allison has not spoken to me in eight years."
"Why?" Daniel asked.
"Because I failed her. She warned me about certain files, and I told her not to make accusations without proof. She thought I cared more about my career than her safety."
Allison had kept her windows covered for years, and the apartment smelled of paper and brewed tea. She spoke about the men who were paid in cash without receipts and the women who cleaned the mill after dark, people who could not afford lawyers or long unemployment. Mara asked whether anyone had searched for her by name. Allison took a breath before answering. 'Your mother. Every single day I knew her.' It was a terrible comfort. Rebecca and Allison eventually stepped into the hallway alone. Daniel heard no words through the door, only a soft sob. When they emerged their faces were red, but neither looked away from the other.
They found Allison living above a hardware store in Altoona. She opened the door with a chain on and demanded Rebecca stay outside.
Daniel identified himself. "I found my sister. I think your mother wants to help us understand what happened."
Allison looked between them. "You found Lily?"
Mara stepped into view. Allison began to cry before she opened the door.
Inside, she brought out a biscuit tin containing photocopies of employee claims and a list of families who had lost medical coverage after the mill failed. She had spent years trying to reach them privately.
"Everyone talks about stolen millions," Allison said. "I remember a machinist who stopped buying insulin because his benefits vanished. I remember a widow who was told her husband never worked there."
"Why stay hidden?" Daniel asked.
"Because I gave Grace the wrong address the night she died." Allison's voice broke. "I thought I was sending her to an investigator. Someone intercepted the call."
Rebecca sat down hard. "Allison."
"Don't tell me it wasn't my fault. I know who benefited."
Daniel leaned forward. "It was their decision to hurt her. Not yours. But we need to know where they sent her."
Allison handed him a printed route map with a red circle near an abandoned bridge. A note at the bottom named a driver: SAMUEL PIKE.
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Outside, a dark sedan pulled up across the street. Allison looked through the blinds.
"That's the same car that's been following me for three days," she whispered.
