Chapter 10 - What Lily Heard
Lily ran.
Ethan caught up but did not touch her.
“Lily.”
She screamed for Claire.
Claire came downstairs.
Lily told everything.
“He said you still think he's helping you find Thomas!”
Ethan did not deny phone call.
He handed device over.
Recent call erased.
Claire:
“Who were you talking to?”
“Thomas.”
Silence.
“Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Why erase it?”
“He made me promise.”
“Call him.”
“He won't answer.”
Claire grabbed phone.
No stored number.
Incoming through encrypted app.
Detective later confirmed communication occurred.
Could not identify sender.
So Ethan might genuinely be communicating with Thomas.
Claire’s anger became desperate hope.
“Why won't he talk to me?”
Ethan:
“Because he doesn't trust you.”
That hurt.
“Why?”
“He thinks you stopped looking.”
“I never stopped.”
“He doesn't know that.”
“You could tell him.”
“I did.”
“Then why?”
Ethan looked at folder.
“Because of what Andrew left.”
Original what?
Inside active-investigation folder was sealed letter from Andrew discovered after death.
Claire had never opened because police advised preserving chain until certain evidentiary condition.
Now Ethan apparently knew.
Letter was opened.
Andrew wrote:
Claire,
If Thomas is ever found, do not bring him home until you verify the Whitmore account marked 611.
Account 611.
Claire had never heard of it.
Bank search found custodial investment account.
Balance:
$2.7 million.
Beneficiary:
Thomas Whitmore.
Not enormous family empire, but substantial.
Created by Andrew’s mother.
Thomas could access through guardian after identity verification, full control at twenty-five.
Now motive emerged.
A fake Thomas could potentially target money.
Claire looked at Ethan.
He understood instantly.
“You think I came for that.”
“Did you know about it?”
“No.”
Lily watched his face.
For first time he seemed genuinely surprised.
Then Ethan laughed softly.
Not happily.
“That's why he won't come back.”
“Why?”
“Thomas thinks whoever finds him gets paid.”
Claire shook head.
“No.”
“That's what they told us.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Gray.”
Mr. Gray taught boys that Thomas was worth money.
Maybe Ethan’s replacement behavior had been survival strategy created by traffickers?
Not necessarily mastermind.
Then Ethan said:
“They made us practice.”
Claire froze.
“Practice what?”
“Being Thomas.”
“How many of you?”
May you like
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“Three.”
