Chapter 13 - The Perfect Son
Claire did not confront Ethan immediately.
Police wanted observe.
They installed controlled evidence.
A fake letter in study stating Account 611 would transfer to “Thomas” after preliminary family recognition, before DNA confirmation.
Legally impossible.
Bait.
Ethan found it.
He did not take it.
He photographed it.
Then called encrypted number.
Police captured partial audio.
Ethan:
“They moved deadline.”
Unknown voice:
“Then stop.”
Ethan:
“I can't.”
Voice:
“You promised.”
Ethan:
“I’m already inside.”
Voice:
“That wasn't the plan.”
Ethan:
“It is now.”
Claire listened behind glass.
Her chest tightened.
Who was on other end?
Thomas?
Likely.
If so, Thomas wanted Ethan to stop.
Ethan refused.
That changed story.
Then Lily discovered Ethan practicing.
Not Thomas memories.
Claire’s reactions.
In mirror:
“Mom?”
Again.
Different tone.
“Mom?”
Again.
Softer.
He practiced crying without sound.
He practiced touching eyebrow scar.
He practiced looking toward Andrew portrait.
Lily backed away.
Ethan saw her reflection.
He stopped.
“Does it work?”
Lily whispered:
“You're scary.”
His face fell.
“I don't want to scare you.”
“You're trying to be Thomas.”
“I had to.”
“No. You still are.”
Silence.
“Why?”
Ethan sat on floor.
“Because Thomas gets a mother.”
That answer was so simple Lily almost cried.
“You could have one too.”
“No.”
“My mom would help you.”
“She helps me because she thinks I can lead her to him.”
“That's not true.”
Ethan smiled sadly.
“Wait until he comes back.”
Jealousy.
There.
A motive deeper than money.
He had lived beside Thomas.
Watched Thomas possess a name, family, bedroom, mother searching endlessly.
Ethan had nothing.
But was jealousy enough for elaborate infiltration?
Then Lily asked:
“Where is he?”
Ethan’s expression shut down.
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because if he comes back, everything ends.”
“What ends?”
Ethan looked around mansion.
“This.”
That night he entered Thomas’s preserved bedroom.
He lay in bed.
Closed eyes.
Claire stood unseen in doorway.
Ethan whispered to himself:
“My name is Thomas Whitmore.”
Again.
“My name is Thomas Whitmore.”
Again.
Then:
“Claire is my mother.”
Claire began crying silently.
Ethan opened eyes.
May you like
He had known she was there.
“Was that better?”
