The voice echoed through the silent house, low and hollow.
“Who’s up there?”
My knees wobbled as I stepped onto the landing. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was a middle-aged Chinese man in a immaculate black suit, holding a leather briefcase. He froze when he saw me, his jaw dropping in absolute shock.
“Theresa?” he stammered in fluent, lightly accented English.
“Where is my son?” I demanded, my voice cracking as tears filled my eyes. “Where is Marcus? And why is this house full of cash?”
The man closed his eyes, taking a long, ragged breath. He walked up the stairs slowly, reaching into his inner jacket pocket to pull out a silver key ring.
“My name is Mr. Chen,” he said quietly. “I am Marcus’s attorney. I was never supposed to meet you like this. He swore to me that you would never come here.”
“Where is he, Chen?” I cried, gripping the banister. “Where is Li Mei?”
“Li Mei died nine years ago,” Mr. Chen said softly. “And Marcus… Marcus has been protecting you the only way he knew how.”
What secret about Marcus’s marriage was revealed? Continue reading Part 3 below to discover the truth behind the cash.
