Christopher continued.
“He tried reporting it internally.”
“And?”
“My father found out.”
My stomach twisted.
Christopher looked toward the window.
“Ryan was offered a choice. Disappear or die.”
I whispered, “So he disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“And the body?”
“Someone else.”
I covered my mouth.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I was a kid trapped inside my father’s world.”
“You were twenty-three.”
“Yes. And terrified.”
I looked again at the photograph.
“What happened after this?”
“Ryan worked with federal investigators.”
My heart pounded.
“He was a witness?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
Christopher said nothing.
“Where is my brother?”
“I don’t know.”
I leaned closer.
“You’re lying.”
“I wish I were.”
He took a breath.
“In 2014, Ryan vanished from witness protection.”
My knees weakened.
“What?”
“No one knew whether he ran or was taken.”
“And the locket?”
Christopher touched it.
“He gave it to me.”
