The Lie in the Family
Henry opened the door.
No one was there.
But the hallway window was open.
Cold air rushed through the house.
On the floor was a single photograph.
It showed Henry's father.
The photograph had been taken the night before his death.
Beside him stood Thomas Blake.
Henry stared at the image.
Thomas had always claimed he barely knew Henry's father.
The photograph proved otherwise.
Henry called him.
"You lied to me."
Thomas answered carefully.
"About what?"
"My father."
Silence.
"I found the photograph."
Thomas sighed.
"I was there that night."
"Why?"
"Your father asked me to meet him."
"What did he tell you?"
"He had discovered something about Richard's company."
"What?"
"Money was disappearing."
Henry felt his stomach tighten.
"How much?"
"Millions."
"Who was taking it?"
Thomas hesitated.
"We never found out."
Henry looked at the photograph.
"Then why did my father die?"
Thomas didn't answer.
Instead, he asked,
"Where are you?"
"At home."
"Leave."
"Why?"
"Because whoever killed your father knows you've found the evidence."
Henry glanced toward Leo.
The lion was staring at the front door.
Then someone knocked.
Three slow knocks.
Henry didn't move.
The knocking came again.
Thomas whispered through the phone,
"Do not open that door."
Henry walked closer.
A voice came from outside.
"Henry?"
He recognized it.
May you like
It was his mother's voice.
But his mother had been dead for twelve years.
