Chapter 4: The Name Beneath the Seal
“Nia, whatever you do…”
Arthur stopped.
His eyes were fixed on the envelope.
Nia's thumb pressed beneath the flap.
“Whatever I do, what?””
Arthur swallowed.
“Don't read it here.””
Marcus gave a humorless laugh.
“That's exactly why she should read it here.””
Vanessa stood several feet away, both hands gripping the strap of her handbag.
“You don't know what you're talking about,” she said.
Marcus looked at her.
“I know more than you think.””
Nia broke the seal.
The paper inside made a dry crackle as she unfolded it.
Her mother's handwriting covered the first page.
Nia recognized every curve.
Every letter.
Her vision blurred.
“My God…”
Arthur stepped forward.
“Nia.””
She raised the page.
“Don't.””
He stopped.
Nia read the first line silently.
Then again.
Her lips began to tremble.
“What does it say?”” Vanessa asked.
Nia looked up.
“You want to know?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Nia read aloud.
“‘My darling Nia, if you're reading this, then something happened that I prayed never would.’”
Arthur closed his eyes.
Nia continued.
“‘I need you to understand one thing before you believe anyone else: the house was never the most important thing I left you.’”
She paused.
A tear fell onto the paper.
“‘You were.’”
The porch went silent.
Nia pressed the letter against her chest.
Then she read the next paragraph.
“‘There are people who will tell you your father failed me. There are people who will tell you Vanessa betrayed me. Both stories are incomplete.’”
Nia looked up sharply.
Vanessa's face crumpled.
“Your mother knew,” Vanessa whispered.
“Knew what?””
“That this day might come.””
Marcus nodded.
“She did.””
Nia looked back at the letter.
“‘Arthur knows why I wrote this. He promised me he would protect you, even if protecting you meant letting you hate him.’”
Nia lowered the page.
She stared at her father.
“You let me hate you?””
Arthur's eyes were wet.
“I never wanted that.””
“But you did.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He looked toward the street.
“I thought it was the only way.””
Nia shook her head.
“Only way to do what?””
Arthur didn't answer.
Nia returned to the letter.
“‘If Arthur is standing beside you when you read this, ask him about the red notebook.’”
Nia froze.
“What red notebook?””
Arthur's face went white.
Vanessa whispered, “Arthur…”
Nia turned.
“You know what she's talking about.””
Arthur looked at Vanessa.
She looked away.
Nia stepped toward him.
“Dad.””
Arthur rubbed a hand across his face.
“I thought it was gone.””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“It wasn't.””
Nia's heartbeat quickened.
“What notebook?””
Arthur looked at her.
“Your mother kept records.””
“Of what?””
“Everything.””
“Everything about what?””
“Money. Calls. People who came to the house. Documents.””
Nia stared.
“Why?””
Arthur took a breath.
“Because she suspected someone was manipulating her.””
Vanessa suddenly spoke.
“She was paranoid.””
Nia turned toward her.
“Then why are you scared?””
Vanessa went quiet.
Nia looked at Marcus.
“You said you were there that night.””
“Yes.””
“What did you see?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Your mother had the red notebook.””
Arthur's head snapped toward him.
“You said you never saw it.””
“I lied.””
Arthur's jaw tightened.
“Why?””
“Because your wife threatened me.””
Vanessa's voice rose.
“That is a lie!””
Marcus turned toward her.
“You told me if I gave Arthur the notebook, you'd make sure my daughter lost her scholarship.””
Vanessa's face went rigid.
Nia stared at her.
“You threatened his daughter?””
“I was desperate!””
“For what?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“I thought your mother was going to destroy all of us.””
Arthur stepped toward her.
“She was trying to protect Nia.””
“She was trying to expose me!””
The words came out before Vanessa could stop them.
Nia's mouth fell open.
“Expose you for what?””
Vanessa looked at Arthur.
He didn't speak.
Nia turned back to her.
“For what?””
Vanessa whispered, “I took money.””
Arthur's expression hardened.
“How much?””
Vanessa said nothing.
Marcus answered.
“Enough to put her in prison.””
Nia felt the ground shift beneath her.
She looked at the letter again.
Another line caught her attention.
“Wait.””
She moved closer to the porch light.
“There’s more.””
Nia read silently.
Her mother's handwriting became shakier near the bottom.
“‘Nia, if you have reached this part, then you must find the red notebook before anyone else does.’”
She stopped.
The final sentence was underlined twice.
“‘It contains the name of the person who wanted me dead.’”
Nia's breath caught.
Arthur stepped forward.
“Nia, give me the letter.””
She backed away.
“No.””
“Please.””
“No.””
Her eyes moved between him and Vanessa.
“You both knew.””
Arthur's voice broke.
“I knew your mother was afraid.””
“You knew someone wanted her dead?””
“I didn't know how serious it was.””
“But you knew.””
“Yes.””
Nia wiped her tears.
“Where is the notebook?””
Arthur looked toward the house.
“I don't know.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I do.””
Everyone turned toward him.
Marcus pointed at the foyer.
“Your mother hid it in this house.””
Nia stared.
“Where?””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Ask her.””
Vanessa's lips parted.
“I don't know.””
Marcus took one step forward.
“Yes, you do.””
Nia looked at Vanessa.
“Where did Mom hide it?””
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward the staircase.
Just once.
But Nia saw it.
So did Arthur.
Arthur whispered, “The attic.””
May you like
Vanessa's face went pale.
And from somewhere inside the house came the unmistakable sound of a door opening.
