Chapter 20 - the box behind the wall
The storage unit was still registered under Corinne's name.
Police obtained the necessary authorization.
We entered with investigators.
The unit was almost empty.
A few chairs.
Old clothing.
Boxes of household records.
Then Marcus noticed something.
"There's a second wall."
The unit had been divided.
Behind the false panel was a narrow compartment.
Inside was a metal box.
My heart started beating faster.
The investigator opened it.
Inside were documents.
Not photographs.
Not jewelry.
Medical records.
Elena's records.
Three years of them.
I couldn't breathe.
Elena had been receiving treatment during her captivity.
The documents contained dates.
Names.
Medication.
And one thing that mattered most.
A facility address.
Daniel looked at me.
"This could prove where she was."
"It doesn't need to."
"No."
He shook his head.
"But it proves how long Corinne knew."
I looked at the records.
The dates began only weeks after Elena disappeared.
Corinne hadn't simply hidden Elena.
She had tracked her medical condition.
She had known exactly where she was.
She had maintained control over her.
I felt sick.
Elena came to the storage facility later.
I didn't want her to.
But she insisted.
When she saw the box, her face went white.
"That's mine."
I turned toward her.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"I remember that doctor."
She touched the edge of one document.
"He told me someone had paid for everything."
"Did you know who?"
"No."
She looked at me.
"Now I do."
We stood there in silence.
For years, Elena had wondered whether anyone had known she was alive.
Now she had proof.
Someone had known.
Someone had paid.
Someone had watched.
May you like
And that person had been Corinne.
---
