I could hear my own breathing.

I pressed one hand against the counter.

“His name was Ryan Morgan. He was twenty-four. He disappeared after telling me he had gotten involved with people he shouldn’t have trusted.”

Mr. Bennett’s face drained of color.

“He wore that locket every day.”

Silence.

“It was a gift from our mother before she died.”Philanthropy consulting

Still silence.

“So don’t tell me I’m mistaken.”

He closed his eyes.

I moved closer.

“Who are you?”

His eyes opened again.

“You already know my name.”Support group access

“Christopher Bennett.”

“That’s right.”

“No.”

I pointed toward his chest.

“I know

who Christopher Bennett is. Everybody in Chicago does. Billionaire real-estate investor. Hotels. Construction. Finance. But Ryan had that locket before Christopher Bennett’s name ever appeared in a newspaper.”Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

His fingers curled around the pendant.

“Leave, Rachel.”

“What happened to my brother?”

His wheelchair suddenly

moved backward.

“Get out!”Beauty Services & Spas

The shout brought Mrs. Alvarez running.

She stopped in the doorway.

“Christopher?”

He pointed toward me.

“Take her home.”

Mrs. Alvarez looked between us.

“What happened?”Business News

“Now.”

I didn’t move.

“Rachel,” she said softly.

“Ask him about the necklace.”

Her expression changed.

That was all I needed to see.

She knew.Standardized & Admissions Tests

My stomach dropped.

“You know too.”

Mrs. Alvarez looked away.