Chapter 7 - THE SISTER
The woman in the photograph was twenty-six years old.
Her name was Clara Hale.
Julian stared at her face.
There was something familiar about her eyes.
“Where is she?”
Bianca shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“Then why bring me this?”
“Because Victor knows.”
Victor, bleeding from the shoulder, laughed weakly.
“She was taken.”
“By Evelyn?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Victor looked at Martha.
“Your father hid her because someone wanted her dead.”
Julian turned to his mother.
“Who?”
Martha couldn't answer.
Victor did.
“Your grandfather.”
Julian stared.
“My grandfather?”
“He believed Clara threatened the inheritance.”
Martha whispered, “Your father tried to protect her.”
Julian felt sick.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Everyone was afraid.”
He walked away.
Then Bianca touched his arm.
“Julian.”
He pulled away.
“You don't get to comfort me.”
“I know.”
“You lied to me for months.”
“I know.”
“You nearly killed my mother.”
“I know.”
She looked at him.
“But I also know where Clara might be.”
Julian stopped.
“Where?”
“St. Agnes.”
The old private hospital stood outside the city.
Julian drove there with Reed and Martha.
They found Clara in the records.
Patient number 4471.
But the file had been sealed.
Julian forced the administrator to open it.
Inside was a photograph.
Clara.
Alive.
And beneath it:
TRANSFERRED — TWO DAYS AGO.
Julian slammed his fist onto the desk.
“Where?”
The administrator shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Reed checked the computer.
“Someone erased the transfer record.”
Julian looked at Bianca.
She had gone pale.
“What?”
She pointed to the screen.
“That login.”
Julian saw it.
EVELYN CROSS.
Then another account appeared.
BIANCA LAURENT.
Julian stared at her.
“You accessed Clara's file.”
Bianca shook her head.
“I didn't.”
The administrator frowned.
“Someone used your password.”
Julian's phone buzzed.
A video arrived.
He played it.
Clara appeared on screen, tied to a chair.
A man's voice said:
“Julian, if you want your sister alive, bring Bianca.”
Julian looked at Bianca.
She was terrified.
The voice continued.
“And come alone.”
The video ended.
Martha whispered, “It's a trap.”
Julian nodded.
“I know.”
Bianca stepped forward.
“Then let me go.”
Julian looked at her.
“You're not going.”
“Julian—”
“You've already caused enough damage.”
Bianca's eyes filled with tears.
Then Reed spoke.
“Maybe she's exactly who they want.”
Everyone turned.
Reed looked at Bianca.
“Which means she may be the key to finding them.”
Julian realized something.
The enemy had not asked for money.
May you like
They had asked for Bianca.
And that meant Bianca knew something even she didn't remember.
