She read it again.
Then again.
The words seemed to grow heavier each time.
Who could her mother have meant?
Daniel was an obvious possibility. His name appeared in the old documents, and his reaction during their telephone conversation had confirmed that he knew more than he wanted to admit.
But Margaret had written something very specific.
Someone closer to Emily.
Someone who had already been chosen.
Emily looked at her grandfather.
"Grandpa, who else knew about the inheritance?"
Alexander Morgan sat quietly at his desk, examining the documents recovered from the garden house.
"Very few people."
"Who?"
"My former legal adviser. Two members of the company's board. Your mother's personal assistant, Eleanor, and one other person."
"Who was the other person?"
Alexander hesitated.
"Your mother's closest friend."
Emily frowned.
"Who?"
"Rebecca Collins."
The name meant nothing to her.
Alexander continued.
"Rebecca and your mother grew up together. They attended the same school, traveled together, and were practically inseparable. When Margaret married, Rebecca became her maid of honor."
"Was she still around when Mom disappeared?"
"She was the last person known to have spoken with your mother before she left."
Emily felt a chill.
"Where is she now?"
Alexander looked at Thomas Reed.
Thomas opened his laptop.
"Rebecca Collins is currently living in Boston. She is married and runs a private charitable foundation."
Emily looked back at her grandfather.
"Did you ever speak to her?"
"Several times. She claimed she knew nothing about Margaret's disappearance."
"Did you believe her?"
Alexander slowly shook his head.
"I wanted to."
That answer frightened Emily more than an accusation would have.
The following morning, Alexander asked Thomas to arrange a private meeting with Rebecca.
But before the meeting could take place, something unexpected happened.
At approximately eleven o'clock, Eleanor entered the study.
"Mr. Morgan, there's a woman at the front gate."
Alexander looked up.
"Who?"
"She says her name is Rebecca Collins."
Emily froze.
Alexander slowly closed the notebook.
"Bring her inside."
A few minutes later, the woman entered.
She was in her early fifties, with shoulder-length blonde hair and a carefully maintained appearance. She wore a cream-colored coat and carried a leather handbag.
Her eyes immediately moved toward Emily.
For a moment, she appeared genuinely surprised.
Then she smiled.
"Emily?"
Emily stood.
"Yes."
Rebecca approached her with open arms.
"Oh, sweetheart. You look so much like your mother."
Emily hesitated before accepting the embrace.
Rebecca held her for several seconds.
"I cannot believe you're all grown up."
Alexander watched carefully.
"Rebecca, it's been a long time."
She turned toward him.
"Alexander. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."
He gestured toward the chairs.
"Please sit."
Rebecca placed her handbag beside her.
"I heard about what happened at the Hale mansion."
Emily looked at her.
"How?"
Rebecca seemed momentarily uncomfortable.
"News travels quickly among people who know the family."
Alexander leaned forward.
"Which people?"
Rebecca ignored the question.
"Emily, I want you to understand something. Your mother was a wonderful woman. She was like a sister to me."
"Then why did you stop seeing her?"
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
"Things became complicated."
"What things?"
"Your mother's marriage."
Emily sat opposite her.
"Did you know Richard was trying to take control of my grandfather's company?"
Rebecca's expression changed.
"I don't think we should discuss business matters without lawyers present."
Alexander smiled faintly.
"Interesting. You were perfectly comfortable discussing Margaret's personal life for years, but now business matters are suddenly too sensitive."
Rebecca tightened her grip on her handbag.
"I came here because I wanted to see Emily."
"Then perhaps you can answer one question," Alexander said.
Rebecca looked at him.
"What question?"
"Where were you on the night Margaret disappeared?"
The room became silent.
Rebecca blinked.
"I've answered that question before."
"Answer it again."
"I was at home."
"Alone?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
Alexander placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Rebecca standing outside the Morgan estate on the evening Margaret disappeared.
Emily leaned forward.
"That's you."
Rebecca looked at the photograph.
Her face became pale.
"I don't remember taking that picture."
"You didn't," Thomas replied. "It was taken by a security camera."
Rebecca looked toward Alexander.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because my granddaughter deserves the truth."
Rebecca stood abruptly.
"I have nothing more to say."
But before she could reach the door, Emily spoke.
"Please."
Rebecca stopped.
Emily's voice trembled.
"If you knew my mother was in danger, why didn't you help her?"