Chapter 7 - UNDER THE BRIDGE
The ambulance was still there when Adrian arrived.
He jumped from his car.
“Clara!”
Paramedics were loading a stretcher.
Clara lay beneath a blanket.
Her eyes were closed.
Adrian ran beside her.
“Clara!”
Her eyelids fluttered.
Alive.
He almost collapsed.
She had bruises around one wrist and a cut above her eyebrow.
“Sir…”
“I’m here.”
“Mateo?”
“He’s safe.”
Clara closed her eyes with relief.
The paramedic pushed Adrian back.
“We need room.”
At the hospital, doctors treated Clara for dehydration, bruising, and a mild concussion.
Hours later, she was able to talk.
Adrian stood near the door.
He didn’t know whether he had the right to come closer.
Clara noticed.
“You can sit.”
He pulled a chair beside the bed.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Adrian said, “I read Rachel’s letter.”
Clara nodded.
“She was afraid Vanessa would come back.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried.”
“I know.”
Adrian looked down.
“I didn’t listen.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
Clara’s expression remained calm.
“You already apologized.”
“Not enough.”
“No apology will make me forget what happened.”
He looked at her.
“I know.”
Clara touched the bruise on her wrist.
“The man who took me wanted the letter.”
“Did you know him?”
“No.”
“What did he say?”
“He kept asking where Rachel’s evidence was.”
“The USB?”
Clara’s eyes widened.
“You found it?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t open it on your home computer.”
“Why?”
“Rachel believed Vanessa had someone helping her.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Clara looked toward the door.
Then she lowered her voice.
“But Rachel used to say Vanessa could never have moved that much money by herself.”
Adrian thought about the stolen $175,000.
“What’s on the drive?”
“Rachel never told me.”
A detective entered.
“Mr. Hayes, we examined it.”
“And?”
“There are financial records. Emails. Audio recordings.”
Adrian’s pulse quickened.
“Audio of Vanessa?”
“Some.”
“About Rachel?”
The detective nodded.
“One recording is from three days before your wife died.”
The room went quiet.
“What does she say?”
The detective hesitated.
“She threatens Rachel.”
Adrian’s face tightened.
“Play it.”
The detective opened his tablet.
Rachel’s voice filled the hospital room.
“Vanessa, stay away from my family.”
Then Vanessa.
“You think you won?”
Rachel answered.
“I’m done protecting you.”
Vanessa laughed.
“No, Rachel. You’re just done.”
The recording ended.
Adrian’s hands curled into fists.
Clara stared at him.
“You need to be careful.”
“Why?”
“Because Vanessa is in custody.”
Adrian frowned.
“So?”
Clara’s voice turned cold.
“The man who kidnapped me wasn’t.”
At that exact moment, Adrian’s phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
Olivia walking out of school.
Under it were four words.
May you like
YOU HAVE THE WRONG WOMAN.
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