Chapter 17 - Evelyn ReturnsThe woman stepped into the cottage.
She looked exactly like the photograph.
Older.
But unmistakable.
Evelyn Cole.
Marcus stood between her and us.
"Don't come closer."
Evelyn stopped.
"I didn't come to hurt anyone."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because you're finally asking the right questions."
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"You stole foundation money."
"No."
"You worked with Richard."
"Yes."
"You lied to my mother."
"Yes."
"Then why should I believe you?"
Evelyn looked at Lily.
"Because I never lied to her."
Lily walked toward her.
I grabbed her hand.
Evelyn smiled sadly.
"She has your courage."
"Stay away from my daughter."
Evelyn nodded.
"Fair."
She reached into her coat.
Marcus raised his weapon.
She slowly removed a photograph.
It showed my mother.
Alive.
Standing beside Evelyn.
The photograph was dated three months earlier.
I felt dizzy.
"Where is she?"
Evelyn looked at me.
"Alive."
"Where?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because someone else is watching."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Who?"
Evelyn looked toward the window.
Then whispered:
"The person who ordered Richard to disappear."
Marcus froze.
"Who?"
Evelyn handed him a second photograph.
A man stood beside Richard.
Marcus's grandfather.
But behind them was another person.
A woman.
Eleanor.
Marcus stared.
"No."
Evelyn nodded.
"Your mother wasn't protecting you from your father."
"Then who?"
"From herself."
Marcus looked at his mother.
Evelyn continued:
"Eleanor created the foundation network."
"Why?"
"Because she wanted control."
Marcus shook his head.
"My mother wouldn't do that."
Evelyn smiled.
"Every monster believes they are protecting someone."
Then the cottage door slammed open.
Gunshots erupted.
Evelyn grabbed Lily.
Marcus pulled me down.
Glass shattered.
Someone screamed.
May you like
When the shooting stopped, Evelyn was gone.
So was Lily.
