Chapter 9 - Thomas’s Job
Thomas worked as an analyst for Halston Property Holdings.
He had for three years.
That was why he and Lucy moved temporarily into our house.
His company relocated his department.
At least, that was what he told us.
Now Thomas looked sick.
“Halston?”
Margaret stared at him.
“Where do you work?”
He didn’t answer.
Lucy did.
“Halston.”
Margaret stood.
“Get out of this house.”
Thomas laughed nervously.
“What?”
“Now.”
“Why?”
Because Halston Property Holdings descended from the same private client network Robert served decades ago.
Not one family.
An umbrella group.
Real estate.
Private equity.
Legal trusts.
The company used Robert’s safe houses during discreet financial disputes.
Anna discovered records showing Halston had hidden assets through nominee companies.
Carol helped preserve copies.
If the archive still existed, it could expose decades of misconduct.
Thomas stared at me.
“I didn’t know.”
Maybe.
Then Lucy said:
“He was transferred here because of Steven.”
Thomas turned.
“What?”
Lucy had seen his transfer paperwork.
It did not say departmental relocation.
It said:
Special proximity assignment.
Target household:
Hale residence.
Thomas went pale.
“Show me.”
She pulled up a photograph she had secretly taken of the document.
Thomas’s signature was at the bottom.
But he insisted the version he signed did not include that paragraph.
Forgery?
Altered page?
Possible.
Either way, Halston had deliberately placed my brother inside our house.
“Why Thomas?”
Because family access looked natural.
No investigator needed.
No stranger lurking outside.
Thomas moved in with his wife.
The perfect cover.
Then Thomas whispered:
“Michael worked for Halston too.”
We all stared.
Before partnering with Steven, Michael served as a property compliance consultant.
He had access to historical ownership records.
That was how he discovered his mother’s connection.
Then maybe his disappearance was not because Steven harmed him.
Maybe Halston did.
Or Michael ran.
Then Steven asked:
“What exactly did Halston ask you to do?”
Thomas shook his head.
“Nothing strange.”
Review old properties.
Identify title irregularities.
One assignment involved our neighborhood.
Another involved our house.
“I thought it was coincidence.”
Lucy looked at him sadly.
“You always think coincidence because you want things to be normal.”
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man’s voice.
“Emily?”
“Who is this?”
Pause.
“Michael.”
Lucy started crying.
Thomas grabbed the phone.
“Where are you?”
Michael ignored him.
“Emily, listen carefully.”
My heart pounded.
“Your mother is alive.”
Everything stopped.
“Where?”
“She is not hiding from Halston anymore.”
“Then from who?”
May you like
Michael breathed hard.
“From Anna.”
