Chapter 4 - THE EMPTY COFFIN
The original warehouse report was stored in a locked archive beneath the
Cole estate.
Adrian had not opened it since the funeral. He remembered the smell of
lilies, the closed casket, and Victor’s hand resting on his shoulder as
he promised that the family would survive.
Now the report lay open before him.
The remains had supposedly been identified through dental records. But
the attached photographs were missing. The examiner’s signature belonged
to a doctor who had retired two months before the explosion. The death
certificate had been processed by a private medical service, paid by
Northstar Holdings.
At the bottom was Victor’s authorization.
“That’s not right,” Gabriel said.
Adrian turned another page. “Find the examiner.”
Dr. Samuel Price lived outside the city. Gabriel arranged a meeting.
A knock sounded. Emma entered with Nora.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “She wouldn’t let go of the lighter.”
Nora approached Adrian. “Can I see where Daddy’s papers are?”
“These papers are important, sweetheart. Some are difficult.”
“Daddy said important things should be kept safe.”
Adrian showed her a photograph of James.
Nora studied it. “That’s Daddy.”
“Do you remember him?”
“Not all the way. Mommy has pictures. But I remember his voice.”
“What did he sound like?”
“Like you, but softer.”
Adrian could not speak.
Emma took Nora to the sitting room. Then she returned.
“James gave her that photograph. He wanted her to know his face.”
Gabriel brought another discovery. The storage facility had transferred
a sealed metal case to a private locker under Victor’s authorization.
The locker was still active.
May you like
Adrian looked at the signature.
“Then we’re going to open it.”
