Chapter 6 - THREE WOMEN, ONE SECRET
The photograph had been taken at least ten years earlier.
Rachel looked younger.
Clara did too.
Vanessa stood between them.
All three women were smiling.
Adrian couldn’t process it.
“They knew each other.”
Mateo nodded slowly.
“My mom worked with Mrs. Hayes before you met her.”
Adrian turned.
“What?”
“At a hotel downtown.”
“Why didn’t Clara ever tell me?”
“She promised Mrs. Hayes she wouldn’t.”
“That makes no sense.”
Mateo looked uncomfortable.
“I only know pieces.”
Adrian sat down.
“Tell me every piece you know.”
Mateo took a breath.
“Mom said Rachel helped her when I was little. We were having money problems. Mom worked double shifts. Rachel gave her extra hours and helped her find an apartment.”
“And Vanessa?”
“Vanessa worked there too.”
“What happened?”
Mateo lowered his voice.
“Money disappeared.”
Adrian stared.
“How much?”
“I don’t know. A lot.”
“Who took it?”
Mateo looked at the photograph.
“Mom always said Rachel took the blame for someone.”
Adrian’s stomach turned.
“Vanessa.”
Mateo didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
A detective entered.
“We tracked Ms. Cole’s financial transfers.”
“Vanessa?”
“Yes. Most of the money went into a shell company.”
“Whose company?”
“We’re working on that.”
Adrian held up the brass key.
“And this?”
The detective examined the stamped number.
“Looks like a bank deposit key.”
By morning, Adrian, the detective, and Mateo were standing inside a downtown bank.
The key matched Box 317.
Because Clara’s name was on the account, they needed a warrant.
Hours later, the metal box was opened.
Inside was a sealed envelope.
ADRIAN.
Rachel’s handwriting.
Adrian’s knees nearly gave out.
There was also a USB drive and a note from Clara.
He opened Clara’s note first.
Adrian,
If you are reading this, Vanessa found out I kept Rachel’s letter.
Rachel gave it to me two days before she died. She told me not to give it to you unless Vanessa ever entered your life.
I thought Rachel was being paranoid.
I was wrong.
Please protect your children.
Adrian’s hands trembled.
He opened Rachel’s envelope.
My love,
If Vanessa Cole ever finds you, do not trust her.
Adrian stopped.
His vision blurred.
He forced himself to continue.
She believes I ruined her life.
The truth is, I protected her once, and it became the greatest mistake I ever made.
Years ago, Vanessa stole money from the hotel where Clara and I worked. I discovered it. Vanessa begged me not to report her because her mother was sick. I paid the money back myself and told management I had made an accounting mistake.
She promised it would never happen again.
It did.
Adrian swallowed hard.
Rachel’s letter continued.
Vanessa later stole from my private account. When I confronted her, she blamed me for everything that had gone wrong in her life.
She told me one day she would take something from me that money could never replace.
Adrian stopped reading.
The room felt too small.
At the bottom of the letter were six final words.
If I die unexpectedly, investigate Vanessa.
Adrian looked up at the detective.
“My wife’s death was ruled natural.”
The detective took the letter carefully.
“That may have been true.”
“May have?”
The detective’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
Then he looked at Adrian.
“They found Clara.”
Adrian stood so fast the chair fell backward.
“Where?”
The detective hesitated.
“Under the old Riverside Bridge.”
May you like
And he wouldn’t tell Adrian whether she was alive.
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