Chapter 10 - Arthur’s PromiseArthur put the tray down.
“What did you promise her?”
Ethan’s voice was quiet.
Arthur did not pretend not to understand.
“In 2004, Mrs. Vance asked me to help Miss Caroline leave.”
Sarah frowned.
“Leave how?”
“Without the press. Without the board. Without Charles stopping her.”
Ethan stared.
“You helped my aunt disappear?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she asked me.”
Arthur explained.
Caroline had accepted Eleanor’s money.
Not because she was bought.
Because she wanted a clean break.
Eleanor demanded a condition:
Caroline would not publicly accuse the family.
Arthur drove her to Vermont.
Set up the first apartment.
Carried boxes.
Promised Eleanor he would never tell Ethan or the press where Caroline lived.
Ethan looked furious.
“You chose my mother.”
Arthur shook his head.
“I chose Caroline’s request.”
“Same result.”
“Yes.”
Arthur accepted that.
Sarah asked:
“Why did the voice say Arthur saved me?”
Arthur looked toward the monitor.
“Because someone is trying to make you distrust me.”
Ethan said:
“Do you blame us?”
“No.”
Then Arthur added:
“There is one thing I did not tell the police.”
Officer Brooks was called immediately.
Arthur described a second promise.
The night Caroline left, she gave him a sealed box.
“If Ethan ever has a child and Eleanor is still running the company, give this to the child’s mother.”
Sarah stared.
“Me?”
Arthur nodded.
“Caroline believed another woman entering this family might see what the men explained away.”
Ethan winced.
“Where is the box?”
Arthur looked sick.
“In my quarters.”
They went together.
The cabinet was open.
The box was gone.
Arthur searched once.
Twice.
Nothing.
On his desk lay a single torn piece of paper.
A note:
FORTY YEARS OF LOYALTY, ARTHUR. AND YOU STILL PICKED THE WRONG WOMAN.
Sarah whispered:
“Eleanor.”
Arthur shook his head slowly.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because she always signs her threats.”
Ethan stared.
Arthur picked up the paper.
“This handwriting belongs to someone else.”
“Who?”
May you like
Arthur looked at him.
“Your father.”
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