Chapter 12 - My Brother Knew

Richard arrived at Sarah's office furious.

"You sent detectives to my house?"

I threw the scanned bank form onto the table.

"Why is your signature on this?"

He looked at it and went quiet.

That frightened me more than denial.

Richard was four years older than I was. After our father died, he became chairman of the family foundation while Thomas handled Ashford Holdings. For eighteen years, Richard had been the person who brought flowers on Elise's birthday and sat beside me when I could not speak.

"Tell me," I said.

He lowered himself into a chair.

"I didn't know she was alive. Not then."

Emily stood by the window with her arms crossed.

"That's not an answer."

Richard looked at her, and I watched recognition hit him. Our father's eyes. My mother's chin.

He swallowed.

"Six years ago, Thomas came to me with documents from St. Anne's. He said a woman was threatening to reopen the hospital investigation and embarrass the family. He told me the box contained fake records created by an extortionist."

"And you believed him?"

"I wanted to."

The answer disgusted me because I understood it.

Richard continued. "He asked me to witness the closure so the bank would not question his authority. I did. The box contained papers, a baby bracelet, and an old microcassette. Thomas took everything."

Detective Brooks leaned forward. "Where?"

"His private archive at the Ashford estate, I assume."

I frowned. "There is no private archive."

Richard looked at me. "Yes, there is. Your father built a fireproof records room below the west wing. Thomas has used it for years."

I felt stupid.

My own house had hidden rooms I did not know about.

"How do we get in?"

"Biometric lock. Thomas and I have access."

"Then open it."

Richard shook his head. "Not without police. If Thomas sees us on the property cameras, he'll know."

Sarah already had the warrant request moving.

While we waited, Emily asked the question I could not.

"What was on the microcassette?"

Richard's face tightened.

"I heard maybe ten seconds before Thomas took it away. A woman was crying. She said, 'I never should have taken the baby.'"

Evelyn.

Brooks's phone rang.

She answered, listened, and stood.

"We have the warrant."

Richard reached for his coat.

Then his phone lit up with a message from Thomas.

I could see the preview from across the table.

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Attached was a live photograph of Richard's wife leaving her office.