Thomas Vale.
The man Claire had told Rachel to find.
Chen located an address.
Thomas Vale lived less than three miles from Rachel’s apartment.
Mercer insisted on accompanying me.
The house stood at the end of a narrow lane, partly hidden by cedar trees. It was modest and carefully maintained, with wind chimes hanging beside the porch.
A man in his late sixties answered the door.
He had silver hair, tired eyes, and a wooden cane.
When he saw me, he did not ask who I was.
“You have Claire’s eyes when you’re angry,” he said.
Mercer shifted beside me.
“You knew my wife.”
Thomas looked past us toward the road.
“You should come inside.”
His living room smelled of coffee and old books. Photographs covered the walls: orchestras, school choirs, children holding instruments.
One photograph showed Claire at twenty years old beside Thomas.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I was her professor.”
“Rachel said Claire told her to find you.”
“She did.”
“Why?”
“Because she trusted me with part of what she discovered.”
“Part?”
Thomas lowered himself into a chair.
“Claire learned that the Seven Branches Society had been compromised. Money intended for vulnerable families was being redirected through schools and private foundations.”
“By Halloway?”
