Sophie Found an Old Photograph and a Note That Said “Tomorrow” — Then Daniel Asked Vanessa Who the Man Was
Chapter 5 — East Station
Daniel refused to let Vanessa go alone.
“The note literally says come alone.”
“I don’t care.”
“He might leave.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Then he leaves.”
They compromised.
Vanessa would meet Adrian at East Station.
Daniel would remain nearby.
Sophie stayed with Daniel’s mother.
At 9:28 the next morning, Vanessa entered the old station café.
A man sat in the far corner.
Late fifties.
Gray hair.
Thin face.
He looked nothing like the young man in the photograph.
But Vanessa recognized his eyes.
“Adrian?”
He stood.
“You look like your mother.”
Vanessa remained several feet away.
“Why did you make me hide this from Daniel?”
Adrian looked toward the windows.
“Because I don’t know who to trust.”
Vanessa almost laughed.
“You contacted me.”
“Because your mother is dead.”
“That isn’t comforting.”
Adrian opened a folder.
Inside was a recent photograph of a man approximately thirty years old.
Dark hair.
Blue eyes.
His name appeared beneath it.
NOAH REED.
Adrian pushed it toward her.
“I believe that’s Nathan.”
Vanessa studied the photograph.
“Why?”
Adrian produced a second item.
A hospital identification bracelet.
NATHAN CAROLINE MERCER.
Vanessa stared.
“Where did you get that?”
Adrian’s answer surprised her.
“Noah sent it to me.”
Then he added:
“He knows somebody changed his identity.”
