Chapter 10 - THE LAWYER WHO LIED FOR TWELVE YEARS
The attorney's name was Martin Vale.
He had represented the Voss family for decades.
After Adrien's father died, he helped settle the estate.
He also advised Adrien during the transition of the family businesses.
Adrien had trusted him.
Until now.
We met Vale at his office.
He was sixty-eight.
Silver-haired.
Impeccably dressed.
When he saw the photograph, his expression changed.
"Where did you get that?"
Adrien placed the notebook on the table.
"Thomas Carter's storage unit."
Vale closed his eyes.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he looked at me.
"You're Sophie."
I nodded.
"Where is my father?"
Vale swallowed.
"I don't know."
I felt anger rise.
"Don't lie to me."
He looked down.
"I'm not lying."
Adrien leaned forward.
"Martin."
Vale sighed.
"Thomas came to me after the crash. He had evidence against Victor Hale."
"Why didn't you go to the police?" I demanded.
Vale looked at me.
"Because Hale had people inside the investigation."
I stared.
"So you helped him disappear?"
Vale nodded.
"Yes."
My heart pounded.
"Where did he go?"
Vale hesitated.
"At first, Wisconsin. Then Indiana."
"And after that?"
Vale looked away.
"He contacted me one final time."
"When?"
"Eight years ago."
I froze.
Eight years.
Four years after my father's supposed death.
"What did he say?"
Vale's eyes filled.
"He said he couldn't come home until Hale was exposed."
I swallowed.
"Did he tell you where he was?"
Vale nodded slowly.
"He mentioned a town in Oregon."
My heart hammered.
"What town?"
May you like
Vale looked at me.
"Astoria."
