Chapter 11 - THE CHILD CATHERINE WANTED HIDDEN
Alexandre sat on the cottage floor, holding the photograph.
He had never known his sister had a daughter.
For four years, he had imagined Isabelle living somewhere far away, frightened and alone.
Now there was a child.
A child Catherine might have been threatening.
Elodie knelt beside him.
"Do you recognize her?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"Could she be Isabelle's daughter?"
"She must be."
Alexandre turned the photograph over again.
A date had been written beneath the name.
Three years earlier.
Claire called as they examined the flash drive.
"I've filed the emergency applications," she said. "The commercial court has agreed to hear our request for interim protective measures."
"Will it stop Catherine?" Elodie asked.
"Not automatically. But the disputed certificate and evidence of possible forgery are serious enough to justify immediate scrutiny."
Alexandre connected the flash drive to a laptop.
Several folders appeared.
One contained bank records.
Another contained copies of correspondence.
A third was labeled:
GENEVIÈVE — FINAL DAYS.
Alexandre opened it.
There were medical notes.
Photographs.
And an audio recording.
He pressed play.
A woman's voice filled the room.
It was Isabelle.
"If you're hearing this, Alexandre, it means I couldn't come home."
He closed his eyes.
"I found evidence that Mother falsified foundation transactions for years. But the financial crimes are not the worst part."
A pause.
Then Isabelle continued.
"Grandmother's final medical records contain inconsistencies. Someone altered the medication logs after her death."
Alexandre gripped the edge of the table.
"I traced the alterations to a private physician who later received payments from one of Mother's companies."
The recording crackled.
"I cannot prove exactly what happened. But I know Grandmother was preparing to expose Mother, and I know the records were changed afterward."
Elodie leaned closer.
Isabelle's voice became quieter.
"Mother discovered my investigation. She accused me of stealing eleven million euros. The documents were forged, but she threatened to have me arrested."
A long silence followed.
"Then she threatened Lucie."
Alexandre whispered:
"No."
"Lucie is my daughter. Her father died before she was born. Mother told me that if I disappeared and surrendered access to the records, she would leave my child alone."
Isabelle's voice broke.
"I believed her."
The recording ended.
Alexandre stared at the screen.
Elodie placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll find them."
He nodded.
But his face was pale.
Then the laptop displayed another file.
A map.
One location had been marked with a red circle.
A small village north of Bordeaux.
Beneath it was a name.
MAISON DES HIRONDELLES.
Alexandre stood.
"That's where she is."
Elodie looked toward the window.
A vehicle had stopped outside.
Its headlights swept across the cottage.
Alexandre immediately shut the laptop.
"Get down."
Two men emerged from the vehicle.
One carried a flashlight.
The other held something beneath his coat.
Elodie crouched behind the sofa.
"Did Catherine find us?"
Alexandre looked toward the door.
"Probably."
The first man approached the cottage.
A heavy knock sounded.
"Alexandre de Valmont!"
No answer.
"We know you're inside."
Alexandre reached for his phone.
Before he could call anyone, the second man smashed a rear window.
Glass scattered across the kitchen.
Elodie gasped.
Alexandre grabbed her hand.
"There's a tunnel beneath the cellar."
They ran downstairs.
Behind a wooden storage rack stood a narrow opening.
Alexandre pushed Elodie inside.
"Keep moving."
They crawled through darkness.
Above them, the cottage door crashed open.
Men shouted.
Furniture overturned.
Elodie struggled to breathe.
Then the tunnel opened onto the rocky shoreline.
Cold wind struck her face.
Alexandre climbed out behind her.
They hurried toward a narrow path leading up the cliffs.
Halfway up, Elodie stopped.
Someone stood at the top.
A woman.
She held a flashlight.
Alexandre froze.
The woman lowered the light.
Her face emerged from the darkness.
"Hello, little brother."
Alexandre stared.
"Isabelle?"
She nodded.
Then she looked at Elodie.
"We don't have much time."
Alexandre rushed toward her.
But Isabelle raised a hand.
"Before you hug me, there's something you need to know."
May you like
Her voice trembled.
"Mother isn't the only person trying to stop us."
