Chapter 8 - THE PHOTOGRAPH BENEATH THE FLOORBOARDS
The next clue came from an unexpected place.
Dorian's childhood home.
A sprawling estate outside Greenwich.
The property had stood empty since his father's death.
Alina accompanied him with a security team and her own attorney's knowledge.
They searched Gabriel's old room.
Dust covered the furniture.
The curtains smelled of mildew.
Dorian stood beside the bed.
“He was seventeen when he painted these walls blue.”
Alina smiled faintly.
“Did you help?”
Dorian shook his head.
“He told me I'd ruin it.”
For a moment, he almost laughed.
Then Alina noticed something.
A loose floorboard beneath the desk.
She knelt carefully.
“Dorian?”
He approached.
Together, they lifted it.
Inside was a metal box.
Old photographs.
Bank documents.
A small flash drive.
And a handwritten note.
Dorian opened it.
His expression changed.
Alina leaned closer.
The note read:
IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME, SEBASTIAN KNOWS WHY.
Beneath it was a photograph.
Gabriel Cross.
Standing beside Dr. Elias Mercer.
And a third man.
Dorian stared.
Then whispered:
“That's impossible.”
Alina looked at him.
“Who is he?”
Dorian swallowed.
“My father's attorney.”
She frowned.
“And?”
May you like
Dorian's face hardened.
“He was supposed to have died twelve years ago.”
