Chapter 4 - THE FILE IN THE BASEMENTClara found the basement door open at 12:17 a.m.
She had no reason to be downstairs.
That was exactly why she went.
The mansion was quiet at night.
Too quiet.
During the day, staff moved through the halls. Guards changed shifts. Doors opened and closed.
After midnight, the house felt like a different place.
Clara descended the stairs.
The basement lights were dim.
At the end of the corridor stood an archive room.
She had seen Vincent enter it once.
The door was usually locked.
Tonight, it wasn't.
Clara pushed it open.
Rows of cabinets filled the room.
She stepped inside.
The air smelled like old paper.
A drawer stood open.
She approached.
Inside was a folder.
Her name was printed on it.
CLARA HAYES.
Her stomach tightened.
She opened it.
The first pages contained basic information.
Employment.
Education.
Boston.
Her mother's illness.
Then photographs.
Matteo.
Clara recognized him immediately.
But he looked younger.
Happier.
One photograph showed him standing in the garden.
Another showed him beside his mother.
Then she saw the final photograph.
Matteo's mother was walking toward a black car.
Alive.
Clara stared.
The official records said she had died.
She turned the photograph over.
A handwritten sentence covered the back.
HE SAW HER LEAVE.
Clara whispered, "Who?"
"Put it down."
She turned.
Vincent stood in the doorway.
His expression was unreadable.
"You knew."
"I knew the file existed."
"You knew she was alive?"
"No."
"Then why is this here?"
Vincent walked toward her.
"Give me the photograph."
Clara didn't move.
"You first."
His eyes hardened.
"Clara."
"Who is the man behind her?"
Vincent looked at the photograph.
A reflection appeared in a nearby window.
A man's hand.
A distinctive ring.
Clara looked at Vincent.
"You know it."
Vincent took the photograph.
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
"Adrian."
"Your brother."
"My brother died six years ago."
"That's what everyone says."
Vincent stared at the photograph.
Adrian had worn that ring every day.
Their father had given it to him.
Vincent had watched his brother's coffin disappear into the ground.
He had attended the funeral.
He had identified the remains.
At least, he had thought he had.
Clara stepped closer.
"Could the body have been someone else?"
Vincent didn't answer.
The lights went out.
Clara gasped.
Something moved behind them.
Vincent reached for her.
A voice came from the darkness.
"Finally."
Vincent turned.
The emergency lights flickered.
The room was empty.
Clara looked at the floor.
The folder was gone.
Vincent scanned the room.
No windows.
One door.
Nobody could have left without passing them.
He looked at Clara.
She looked back.
Neither spoke.
Then Vincent noticed something on the floor.
A small black button.
It wasn't from his security system.
It belonged to a suit.
A man's suit.
Vincent picked it up.
His fingers tightened.
"Adrian."
Clara whispered, "You don't know that."
Vincent looked toward the empty doorway.
"No."
May you like
His voice was quiet.
"But someone wants me to think I do."
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