Chapter 6: The Mother’s Empty Chair
Malcolm stopped dead.
His mother had been sitting at the table near the center of the ballroom all evening.
Now her chair was empty.
Her purse remained on the floor.
Her champagne glass was still full.
Malcolm pushed through the guests.
“Mom?””
No answer.
Tasha followed.
“Malcolm, wait.””
He ignored her.
His mother's coat was still draped over the back of the chair.
Her phone was sitting beside her untouched plate.
He picked it up.
The screen was locked.
“Tasha.””
She came closer.
“What?””
“My mother didn't leave.””
Tasha stared at the empty chair.
“No.””
“Then where is she?””
“I don't know.””
Malcolm looked at her.
“You knew about the lake.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about my sister.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about the necklace.””
“Yes.””
“And now my mother disappears?””
Tasha's eyes filled with tears.
“I swear I didn't know this would happen tonight.””
Malcolm's voice dropped.
“Who did?””
Tasha looked around the ballroom.
The guests were whispering.
Some had begun filming with their phones.
Others stood frozen beside their tables.
Then Malcolm noticed something on the floor.
A small white envelope.
He picked it up.
His name was written across the front again.
This time, beneath it were four words:
*YOUR MOTHER LEFT THIS.*
Malcolm tore it open.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
His mother's handwriting.
He recognized it instantly.
His fingers trembled as he read.
*Malcolm,*
*If you are reading this, then she has finally come back.*
He stopped.
Tasha stared at him.
“Who?””
Malcolm continued.
*Don't believe everything Tasha tells you.*
He slowly looked at his bride.
Her face collapsed.
“Malcolm…”
He held up the letter.
“What did you do?””
“Nothing.””
“Then why did my mother write your name?””
“I don't know.””
He read the next line.
*Your sister wasn't taken twelve years ago.*
Malcolm's breath caught.
Tasha whispered, “Please don't.””
He kept reading.
*She left because I asked her to.*
The paper shook in his hands.
“What?””
Tasha covered her mouth.
Malcolm looked at her.
“My mother helped my sister disappear?””
Tasha said nothing.
He read the final lines.
*And if Nia is the one who found you tonight, tell her I am sorry.*
Malcolm stopped.
Nia.
The room seemed to spin.
He looked at the ballroom doors.
“She knows my mother.””
Tasha nodded slowly.
“I think so.””
“You think?””
“I haven't seen her in twelve years.””
“Then how did you know her?””
Tasha's voice broke.
“Because I was there the night she left.””
Malcolm stepped toward her.
“You keep saying that.””
“I know.””
“What aren't you telling me?””
Tasha looked at the letter.
Then toward the entrance.
“I saw your sister that night.””
Malcolm's eyes widened.
“You said she got into a car.””
“She did.””
“Whose car?””
Tasha hesitated.
“Your mother's.””
Silence.
Malcolm stared at her.
“My mother drove her away?””
“Yes.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
“You're lying.””
“I swear.””
“Then why did you take the photograph?””
Tasha wiped her cheeks.
“Because your sister gave it to me.””
Malcolm frowned.
“What?””
“She told me to keep it.””
“Why?””
“She said one day you'd need proof that she was still alive.””
Malcolm's voice became barely audible.
“Still alive?””
Tasha nodded.
“She was alive when I last saw her.””
“Where?””
Tasha looked toward the service corridor.
“Nia knows.””
A gasp moved through the ballroom.
Malcolm turned.
One of the guests had dropped her glass.
But she wasn't looking at the broken glass.
She was staring toward the ballroom entrance.
Malcolm followed her gaze.
Nia stood there.
Her uniform was torn at one shoulder.
Her hair was disheveled.
Tears streaked her face.
The broken silver necklace was gone.
Malcolm took one step toward her.
“Nia.””
She looked at him.
Then at Tasha.
Her expression hardened.
“You finally told him.””
Tasha whispered, “Nia, please.””
Nia shook her head.
“No more secrets.””
Malcolm's heart pounded.
“Where is my mother?””
Nia's eyes filled with tears.
“She came to find me.””
“Where is she?””
Nia hesitated.
Then she slowly reached into her pocket.
She pulled out a small key.
“I was told to give this to you when you finally asked the right question.””
Malcolm stared at it.
“What does it open?””
Nia looked directly at Tasha.
“The room where your sister has been waiting for you.””
Tasha suddenly stepped backward.
“No.””
Malcolm turned toward her.
“What room?””
Tasha's face went white.
Before she could answer, the ballroom lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then every phone in the room received the same message.
Malcolm's phone buzzed in his hand.
He looked down.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
It showed a woman sitting alone in a dark room.
His mother.
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And beneath the photograph were six words:
*SHE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SISTER.*
