Chapter 4 - THE PROMISE HE DIDN'T REMEMBER
Nathan Drake stared at his own signature as though someone had placed a stranger's handwriting in front of him.
“I never signed that.”
Marcus looked uneasy.
“Sir, it matches your archived signature.”
Nathan shook his head.
“I said I don't remember signing it.”
I stepped forward.
“Then someone forged it.”
“Possibly.”
I stared at the document.
My mother had been involved in an investigation connected to Nathan's company.
Someone had written instructions to protect me.
And now, eleven years later, I had somehow ended up in Nathan's penthouse.
Nothing felt accidental anymore.
“Who else knew about this?” I asked.
Marcus scanned the file.
“Three people had authorization.”
Nathan Drake.
Victoria Drake.
And a man named Julian Mercer.
Nathan went completely still.
“Julian?”
“Who is he?” I asked.
Nathan's expression darkened.
“My former business partner.”
“Where is he now?”
“Dead.”
I stared at him.
“Of course he is.”
Nathan didn't appreciate my sarcasm.
But he didn't argue.
“Julian was killed seven years ago in a warehouse fire.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Actually, boss, the investigation never confirmed his remains.”
The room fell silent.
Nathan looked toward the windows.
For a man whose business depended on knowing everything, he suddenly seemed surrounded by things he didn't understand.
My phone rang.
The caller ID showed St. Augustine Medical Center.
I answered immediately.
“Miss Carter?”
“Yes?”
“This is Dr. Allison Reed. I'm calling about your mother's belongings.”
My heart tightened.
“What about them?”
“We discovered a personal item that wasn't included in the original inventory.”
“What item?”
“A silver locket.”
I closed my eyes.
My mother had worn that locket every day.
She'd told me it contained the only photograph she had of my father.
“Can I collect it?”
“Of course. But there's something you should know.”
I held my breath.
“The locket was discovered inside a sealed medical records envelope.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
A pause.
Then Dr. Reed lowered her voice.
“Miss Carter, someone called this morning and ordered us to destroy it.”
My hands began trembling.
“Who?”
“His name was Julian Mercer.”
Nathan heard the name.
His face drained of color.
May you like
And before I could speak, Dr. Reed whispered:
“He told me the locket contains proof that Nathan Drake isn't the man everyone thinks he is.”
