Chapter 19 - THE CALLLater that night, after Sarah went upstairs, Helen remained alone on the deck.
The ocean was black beneath the moonlight.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
Helen stared at the screen.
Three years ago, she would have frozen.
Now she simply answered.
“Hello?”
A woman's voice spoke.
“Are you Helen Mendoza?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Claire.”
Helen frowned.
“Who is Claire?”
There was a pause.
“I need help.”
Helen sat upright.
“Are you in danger?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you?”
Another pause.
Then Claire whispered:
“I have information about Richard.”
Helen's heart stopped.
“Richard is in prison.”
“I know.”
“What information?”
The woman took a shaky breath.
“Something he never told the FBI.”
Helen looked toward the dark ocean.
“What?”
Claire whispered:
“He wasn't the only one who survived.”
The line went dead.
Helen stared at the phone.
For several seconds, she didn't move.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Sarah.
“Mom?”
Helen turned.
Sarah looked at her mother's face.
“What happened?”
Helen slowly stood.
“I don't know yet.”
May you like
She looked toward the endless darkness beyond the ocean.
“But I think our story isn't finished.”
