Chapter 11 - THE DATE THAT WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT
Emma had been keeping one final secret.
I learned that the evening after Eleanor told me about Lily's plan.
We met at a quiet café near the Delaware River.
Emma arrived wearing jeans and a dark green sweater.
The silver bracelet rested against her wrist.
I looked at it.
Then at her.
You knew why Vincent arranged our date.
Her expression changed.
For a moment, she didn't answer.
Then she signed:
I suspected.
I waited.
Emma continued.
Three months ago, Lily contacted me through a former school colleague.
My heart tightened.
She asked me to help find you.
"Why didn't she contact me directly?"
Emma looked down.
She was afraid Vincent monitored your communications.
I nodded slowly.
That was possible.
Vincent had controlled too much of my organization for too long.
Emma continued.
Lily told me the men at the bar were arranging a date to embarrass you.
I stared.
"And you agreed?"
She nodded.
I thought it might be the safest chance to meet you in public.
For a moment, anger rose.
Not at Emma.
At the situation.
At the way my sister had been forced to plan her own rescue through a cruel joke.
Emma watched my face.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you immediately.
I took a breath.
Why not?
She answered honestly.
Because I didn't know whether you'd believe me.
That hurt.
But I understood.
I had spent years cultivating a reputation that made people afraid to speak openly.
I couldn't expect Emma to trust me simply because I wanted her to.
She continued.
I planned to show you the bracelet and give you Lily's letter. But then you signed to me.
I smiled faintly.
That surprised you?
Very much.
She laughed silently.
I thought I'd have to communicate through a written note.
Instead, she'd met a man who understood her language.
And for a few minutes, she forgot the danger.
So had I.
Emma looked toward the river.
Then signed something that made my chest tighten.
I liked you before I knew whether you were safe to trust.
I stared.
She smiled sadly.
But liking someone isn't the same as trusting them.
I nodded.
"You're right."
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then I asked:
Do you regret coming?
Emma considered the question.
No.
She looked into my eyes.
Because your sister is alive.
Your mother is alive.
And Benjamin has a family.
I swallowed.
Then she added:
But Dominic, there's something else you need to know.
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
Emma reached into her bag.
She removed a photograph.
Lily stood beside Vincent Marlow outside an old parish building.
But Vincent wasn't threatening her in the photograph.
He was smiling.
And Lily appeared to be holding a folder.
Emma signed slowly.
Lily told me she pretended to cooperate with Vincent for months.
I stared.
"Why?"
Emma looked down.
Because she needed to find the final account he was hiding.
"And did she?"
Emma nodded.
Then she signed the number.
Forty-eight million dollars.
The room went silent.
And beneath the photograph was the name of the account holder.
Dominic Vale.
May you like
My name.
Vincent had been stealing money through an account that made me appear responsible.
