Chapter 7 - The Bride Who Never Wanted a Wedding
Vanessa sat on the edge of a narrow hospital examination bed.
Her wedding dress had been replaced by gray sweatpants and an oversized shirt.
Without the elaborate makeup, expensive jewelry, and false pregnancy, she looked unmistakably eighteen.
Not like the sophisticated woman who had charmed wealthy investors at Richard Whitmore's parties.
Not like the confident bride who had walked down the aisle smiling.
She looked like a frightened teenager who hadn't slept in days.
Detective Monroe entered with a female officer.
Vanessa immediately straightened.
"Where's Daniel?"
"He's safe."
"Can I see him?"
"After we talk."
Vanessa shook her head.
"I've already told you everything."
Monroe sat across from her.
"You told me you were pressured to marry Richard Whitmore."
"I was."
"You told me Leonard Price threatened your brother."
"Yes."
"But you haven't explained how you met Richard."
Vanessa stared at her hands.
Monroe waited.
Finally, Vanessa spoke.
"At the Whitmore Foundation gala."
"Who invited you?"
"Leonard."
"Why?"
"He said someone wanted to help me."
"Who?"
Vanessa looked up.
"My mother."
Monroe studied her.
"Your mother has been missing for two years."
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"I know."
"Then how did Leonard contact you on her behalf?"
"He said she had left something for us."
"What?"
"Money."
Vanessa's voice cracked.
"Enough to take Daniel somewhere safe."
Monroe remained quiet.
Vanessa continued.
"Our grandmother raised us after Mom disappeared."
"Where is your grandmother?"
"She died in March."
"I'm sorry."
Vanessa wiped her face.
"After that, it was just me and Daniel."
"How did Leonard find you?"
"He came to our apartment."
"What did he offer?"
"A job."
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"At least that's what he called it."
Monroe leaned forward.
"Tell me."
Vanessa stared at the wall.
"He said Richard Whitmore was lonely."
She swallowed.
"He told me Richard liked young women who made him feel important."
Monroe didn't react.
"He said I could become part of a wealthy family."
"And you agreed?"
"At first."
Vanessa's voice grew smaller.
"I thought I was just going to attend events with him."
"What changed?"
"Leonard told me about the pregnancy."
Monroe glanced at her notes.
"When?"
"Six weeks ago."
"Did you know what the pregnancy was supposed to accomplish?"
"No."
"He didn't tell you about the trust?"
"Not until later."
Vanessa rubbed her arms.
"He said it would protect me after the marriage."
"Protect you from what?"
"From Richard."
Monroe frowned.
"Explain."
Vanessa looked up.
"Leonard said Richard was dangerous."
The detective remained still.
"He told me Richard had killed his wife."
Silence filled the room.
Vanessa's eyes overflowed.
"He said if I didn't follow his instructions, Richard would hurt Daniel."
Monroe spoke carefully.
"Did you believe him?"
Vanessa nodded.
"After I saw him hit Lily, I thought maybe Leonard had been telling the truth."
Monroe exhaled slowly.
"Violence toward a child is serious, and Richard will have to answer for that."
She paused.
"But that does not establish that he killed Elizabeth."
Vanessa nodded.
"I understand."
Monroe changed the subject.
"Why were you frightened of Adrian Cross?"
Vanessa went rigid.
"I wasn't."
"You looked toward him immediately after the false pregnancy was exposed."
Vanessa shook her head.
"He told me not to do it."
Monroe leaned forward.
"Who?"
"Adrian."
"Explain."
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"Three days before the wedding, he came to the apartment Leonard had rented for us."
"What did he say?"
"He said Leonard was using me."
"Did he provide evidence?"
"He showed me documents."
"Which documents?"
"Some of the trust papers."
Monroe waited.
Vanessa looked miserable.
"He said if I went through with the wedding, Leonard would take control of Richard's company."
"Then why did you continue?"
Vanessa whispered, "Because Daniel disappeared that night."
Monroe stopped writing.
"Who took him?"
"I don't know."
"What were you told?"
"Leonard called me."
Her voice shook.
"He played a recording of Daniel crying."
Monroe leaned closer.
"Did Adrian know?"
"I told him."
"What did he do?"
"He said he would find Daniel."
Vanessa wiped her face.
"Then he told me to keep the ceremony going until he could get Daniel out."
Monroe frowned.
"Did he specifically tell you to wear the false belly?"
Vanessa nodded.
"He said Leonard couldn't realize I knew about the plan."
"Did he tell you Lily would expose you?"
"No."
Vanessa looked toward the window.
"I didn't know Lily had seen the fake stomach."
"How did she see it?"
Vanessa stared at her hands.
"She came into my room one night."
"What happened?"
"I was taking it off."
Vanessa's voice became thick.
"She asked me why I was lying."
"What did you say?"
"I told her adults sometimes kept secrets."
Monroe waited.
Vanessa swallowed.
"She said her mother told her secrets that hurt people weren't good secrets."
The detective looked down at her notes.
Vanessa started crying again.
"I should have stopped everything."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I was scared."
Monroe nodded.
"Fear explains some of your decisions."
She paused.
"It doesn't erase the harm."
"I know."
"Would you be willing to testify against Leonard?"
Vanessa looked toward the door.
"If Daniel is safe."
"Protection decisions are made separately from testimony."
Vanessa nodded slowly.
"I'll tell you whatever I know."
Monroe stood.
Then Vanessa spoke again.
"There's something else."
The detective stopped.
"What?"
"Leonard made me practice signing my married name."
"Vanessa Whitmore?"
"No."
Vanessa shook her head.
"Elizabeth Whitmore."
Monroe stared.
"Why?"
"I asked him."
"What did he say?"
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"He said there was one document Elizabeth had never signed."
Monroe sat back down.
"What document?"
Vanessa looked frightened.
"A statement saying she had lied about the foundation."
Monroe felt a chill.
"Where is it?"
"I don't know."
"Did Leonard say who prepared it?"
Vanessa nodded.
"Dr. Benton."
The same doctor who had certified Elizabeth's death.
Monroe rose.
"I need to make a call."
Vanessa caught her wrist.
"Wait."
Monroe looked back.
"Please don't tell Richard I agreed to sign it."
"Why?"
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"Because there was another name on the paper."
May you like
"Whose?"
Vanessa whispered, "Lily's."
