Chapter 11 - The Missing Piece of the Family Puzzle
Michael returned to his childhood home that evening.
His mother, Helen Turner, opened the door with tears already in her eyes.
She hugged him tightly.
"Ethan's asleep."
Michael nodded.
"Thank you."
Helen hesitated.
"The police searched here."
"I know."
"They asked strange questions."
Michael looked around the familiar living room.
Everything felt unchanged.
Yet nothing felt safe anymore.
After checking on Ethan, who was sleeping peacefully in the guest bedroom, Michael climbed into the attic.
Boxes filled every corner.
Old clothes.
School trophies.
Christmas decorations.
Family albums.
He searched until midnight.
Finally, inside a dusty military storage box belonging to his late father, he found what he was looking for.
A faded photograph.
His father stood beside three other men.
All four wore construction uniforms.
Behind them stood the very apartment building where Michael now lived.
His hands began shaking.
He turned the photo over.
Written on the back were four names.
James Turner.
Victor Hale.
Daniel Cross.
Samuel Reed.
Michael read them again.
Daniel Cross.
The same Daniel.
Impossible.
The photograph was dated twenty-eight years earlier.
Daniel looked exactly the same age as the man police had been chasing.
He hadn't aged.
Michael immediately photographed the picture and sent it to Detective Bennett.
She called less than two minutes later.
"Where did you find that?"
"My father's attic."
"We've identified Victor Hale."
"Who is he?"
"The original architect who renovated your apartment building."
"And Samuel Reed?"
"He disappeared twenty-two years ago."
Michael looked back at the photograph.
Only one question remained.
"Why was my father standing with Daniel?"
Detective Bennett didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she quietly asked another question.
"Mr. Turner..."
"Yes?"
"Are you absolutely certain your father died in that warehouse fire?"
Michael slowly lowered the phone.
For the first time in his life...
May you like
He wasn't sure.
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