Chapter 9 - Owen Shaw
"No," August said quickly. "Your mother may have been protecting you."
Elsie did not look convinced.
August asked June to make cocoa.
He sat with Elsie at the kitchen island while Nora and Mason researched Owen Shaw.
Twenty minutes later, Nora returned with a face that told August the answer was bad.
"Owen was an investigative reporter."
August remembered the name now.
"Accidental electrical fire," Mason said. "Officially."
"When?"
"Six years ago."
August looked at Elsie.
Caroline had hidden the truth about Owen because telling a child her father died investigating powerful people was no gift.
Nora opened another document.
"Owen had been tracing the same shell companies Caroline found."
"Together?"
"Looks that way."
Mason placed a photocopy on the counter.
It showed Owen and Caroline leaving Building 214.
Behind them stood Marcus Vane.
Across the street, inside a parked sedan, Victoria was visible.
August felt rage settle into something colder.
"She watched them."
Mason nodded.
Elsie sipped cocoa with both hands.
"Did my mom love him?"
August swallowed.
"I think she did."
"Did he know about me?"
Nora hesitated.
Then she handed August one final page.
It was a letter Owen wrote to Caroline.
If anything happens to me, do not go back to the Caldwells until you know who your father can trust.
August read the sentence twice.
Who your father can trust.
Not whether August could be trusted.
He had spent years blaming Caroline for shutting him out.
Mason's phone rang.
"Security."
"What do you mean missing?"
August stood.
"What?"
Mason ended the call.
"Victoria isn't in the east wing."
"How?"
"Bathroom service panel. Old access corridor."
August cursed.
"Find her."
Elsie suddenly put down her cocoa.
"She knows about the box."
August turned.
"What box?"
"The one Mom said to give you only if the ring didn't work."
Elsie pointed to her pink backpack.
August stared.
"You had another thing from Caroline this whole time?"
May you like
Elsie nodded.
Then she whispered, "But it's not in my backpack anymore."
