Chapter 4 

The lawyer ran before Julian could catch him.

They found only his abandoned carriage outside town.

Inside was a single suitcase.

Clara recognized it immediately.

Her father’s.

She hadn’t seen it since the night he disappeared.

Julian opened the locks.

Clothes.

Documents.

A broken watch.

Nothing unusual.

Then Clara remembered something.

Her father had always repaired his own luggage.

“Turn it over.”

Julian examined the bottom.

A seam ran across the leather.

He cut it open.

A folded letter fell out.

Clara recognized the handwriting.

Her hands shook.

She opened it.

Clara,

If you are reading this, then I failed to keep you away from the truth.

She swallowed.

The company was never bankrupt.

Her eyes widened.

Julian leaned closer.

I destroyed it myself.

Clara covered her mouth.

The letter continued.

The military contracts were being manipulated by men inside the Ministry. They needed someone to blame.

They chose Julian Cross.

Julian stopped breathing.

Your father’s company was the financial bridge between the military and the corrupt officers. If I exposed them, Julian would be court-martialed and executed for crimes he never committed.

Clara looked at Julian.

He was staring at the letter.

Her father had known.

He had sacrificed his fortune to save Julian.

But there was more.

I discovered that General Adrian Vale has been selling military positions to foreign agents.

Julian’s expression hardened.

Vale.

The most powerful general in the army.

Then Clara read the final paragraph.

The money trail leads to a secret account under the name of your mother.

Clara looked up.

“My mother?”

Julian’s eyes narrowed.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because Eleanor Vance never had access to those accounts.”

Clara turned the page.

There was another line.

And if they tell you I am dead, do not believe them.

Her hands went cold.

Julian stared at her.

“Your father may still be alive.”

Before Clara could respond, the front door exploded inward.

Soldiers stormed the house.

Julian drew his pistol.

“Get behind me.”

A voice shouted:

“Commander Cross! By order of the Ministry, you are under arrest for treason.”

Julian froze.

Clara looked at him.

The soldiers raised their rifles.

The letter fell from her hand.

One soldier stepped forward.

“Hand over the evidence.”

Julian slowly raised his hands.

Then Clara saw something behind them.

The lawyer.

Standing beside the soldiers.

Smiling.

He whispered:

“Your father should have stayed dead.”