Chapter 7 - The Secret Behind Noah's Silence
Noah Costello had been born deaf.
That was the diagnosis his father had accepted.
But Khloe was beginning to realize there was another reason the little boy rarely communicated with anyone around him.
Fear.
At the diverted airport, medical personnel checked Noah while authorities separated Victor from the family for questioning.
The crew confirmed the aircraft had landed safely.
The captain was also interviewed after investigators learned about the unauthorized route instructions.
Silas remained beside Noah.
For once, he didn't make a single business call.
He simply watched his son.
Khloe sat nearby, helping facilitate communication.
A pediatric specialist assessed Noah after the distressing flight and recommended follow-up support from professionals experienced with deaf children.
Then she asked a question that caught Silas off guard.
"Who communicates with Noah using sign language at home?"
Silas hesitated.
"His tutor."
"And you?"
He looked down.
"I know a few signs."
The specialist nodded gently.
"That may be part of why he's struggling. He needs consistent access to language and people who can communicate with him."
Silas closed his eyes.
For four years, he'd believed paying for the best services meant he was doing everything possible.
But he'd missed the simplest thing.
Learning how to speak with his son.
Later, Khloe sat beside Noah with a picture book.
She signed the names of animals.
He smiled.
Then laughed silently when she made an exaggerated expression for a monkey.
Silas watched from across the room.
He couldn't remember the last time Noah had laughed like that.
Then the boy pointed toward a picture of a house.
His hands moved.
HOME.
Khloe nodded.
YES.
Noah signed again.
NOT BIG HOUSE.
She frowned.
WHICH HOUSE?
He pointed toward the picture.
SMALL HOUSE. RED DOOR.
Khloe's heart tightened.
The house by Lake Geneva.
She signed another question.
DO YOU WANT TO GO THERE?
Noah shook his head.
Then signed:
MOMMY SAID SECRET UNDER FLOOR.
Khloe froze.
She looked toward Silas.
"Mr. Costello, Noah remembers something from the house."
Silas approached immediately.
"What?"
"He says Elena told him there was a secret beneath the floor."
Marcus, who had just returned from speaking with investigators, looked up sharply.
"What kind of secret?"
Khloe signed the question.
Noah hesitated.
Then moved his hands slowly.
BLUE BOX.
WHAT'S INSIDE?
Noah looked frightened.
But he answered.
PAPERS.
Then he added:
THE BAD MAN KILLED GRANDPA FOR THEM.
Silas went completely still.
His father, Antonio Costello, had died five years earlier.
Everyone believed he'd suffered a fatal heart attack.
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But Noah was saying something very different.
And the blue box beneath the red-door house might prove it.
