Chapter 12: Clara Finally Turned Against Julian
Clara was waiting outside the courthouse when Detective Grant approached her.
Rain fell steadily over the parking lot, turning the pavement silver beneath the streetlights. Her cream-colored coat was soaked at the shoulders, and she held her purse against her chest as if it could protect her from what was coming.
“Ms. Bennett,” the detective said, “I'd like to ask you some questions about the statements you made in court.””
Clara looked toward the building.
“I'm not answering anything without a lawyer.””
“That is your right.””
“Then we're finished.””
She started toward a waiting car.
Detective Grant didn't block her path.
“One question before you go. Did you know about the recording device inside Leo's rabbit?””
Clara stopped.
Her shoulders rose and fell.
Then she turned around.
“I knew the child had been recording things.””
“Did you know what was recorded?””
“No.””
“Did you ever attempt to take the device from him?””
Clara's eyes flickered.
“I wanted him to stop playing with it.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
She looked away.
“I reached for it once.””
“Why?””
“Because it belonged to the house.””
Detective Grant waited.
Clara finally muttered, “Because I knew what he might have recorded.””
It was the first time she had admitted any awareness that the recording might contain something incriminating.
The detective asked whether she would provide a formal statement with counsel present.
Clara hesitated.
Then she looked back at the courthouse doors.
“Can I speak to Audrey first?””
Detective Grant shook her head.
“Not privately. Any relevant statement should be handled through the proper process.””
Clara's mouth tightened.
“Of course. Everyone is protecting her.””
“No,” the detective replied.
“We're preserving evidence and giving everyone an opportunity to be heard.””
Inside the courthouse, Margaret was helping me arrange the temporary care plan for Leo.
The court had not granted me permanent guardianship. It had ordered further assessment, and the social worker was coordinating a suitable arrangement that would account for my medical condition and Leo's emotional needs.
It wasn't the complete victory I wanted.
But Leo would not be forced straight back into the household where he had said he was frightened.
For now, that mattered more than anything.
When Margaret told me Clara wanted to speak, I refused.
“I don't want her near Leo.””
“That's reasonable,” Margaret said.
“You can decline direct contact. If she has information, she can provide it to the investigators.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
Dr. Patel.
She explained that the initial medical review had identified a finding that required further investigation. Additional tests were underway, and she wanted to discuss the results with me in person.
I returned to the hospital with Leo and Margaret.
An hour later, Dr. Patel entered my room carrying a file.
“Audrey, we've reviewed your recent symptoms and the available laboratory results. We have enough concern to continue investigating possible exposure to an unprescribed substance, but we don't yet have a confirmed identification or a clear explanation of how it entered your system.””
I swallowed.
“Could it have harmed my daughter?””
“It's too early to determine whether there has been any lasting effect. Her monitoring has been reassuring so far, and we'll continue watching her closely.””
I pressed my palm against my stomach.
“Please tell me what to do.””
“Continue taking only medication approved by your medical team. Don't consume anything you're uncertain about, and tell us immediately if you experience new symptoms.””
I nodded.
After Dr. Patel left, Margaret sat beside me.
“You don't have to solve everything tonight.””
I stared at the window.
“How do I stop thinking about the fact that I trusted him?””
“You begin by recognizing that trusting someone is not the same as causing their choices.””
I closed my eyes.
For years, I had defended Julian to friends who said he was controlling. I had explained away his temper, excused his absences, and convinced myself that marriage meant being patient when the person you loved was struggling.
Now I wondered how many times my patience had given him room to become someone I no longer recognized.
A knock sounded.
Detective Grant entered with a woman from the district attorney's office.
“We have an update,” she said.
Clara had retained an attorney and agreed to provide a formal statement. She had also identified a storage unit where she claimed Julian kept personal documents, including some materials removed from Evelyn's house after her death.
The investigators were assessing whether they could obtain the appropriate authorization to examine it.
“Did she say what was inside?”” Margaret asked.
“She described boxes of papers, photographs, and electronic equipment. We haven't verified the contents.””
I looked at Detective Grant.
“Did she say anything about my drinks?””
The detective glanced at her notes.
“She claims she saw Julian prepare a substance for you on several occasions. She says she assumed it was a prescribed supplement, but later became concerned.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“We haven't completed her interview. We don't yet know whether her account is accurate or whether she is attempting to shift responsibility.””
That was the truth I had to accept.
Clara might be telling the truth now.
She might also be trying to save herself.
Either way, her words needed corroboration.
Detective Grant continued.
“She also says Julian asked her to remove a blue folder from the locked room at his mother's house shortly before the divorce proceedings began.””
“What happened to it?””
“She claims she placed it in the storage unit.””
Margaret leaned forward.
“Does she say what was in the folder?””
“Not specifically. She remembers a document bearing Rebecca's name and a photograph of a vehicle.””
I thought of Leo's drawing.
The black car.
The blue room.
The letter Julian had supposedly written before Rebecca died.
“Can you recover it?”” I asked.
“We're working through the legal process now.””
The detective left to continue the investigation.
Later that evening, Leo sat beside my bed, drawing quietly while a children's program played on the television.
He seemed calmer than he had been in days.
Then he looked up.
“Mommy Audrey?””
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Is Clara going to jail?””
I set my book aside.
“I don't know. That's something the investigators and the court will have to determine.””
“Is Daddy?””
“I don't know that either.””
Leo considered this.
Then he asked, “If they did bad things, will they still love me?””
I pulled him close.
“Whatever happens between the adults, you deserve to be loved and protected. Their choices are not your responsibility.””
He rested his head against my arm.
“I don't want another mommy,” he whispered.
I kissed his forehead.
“You don't have to call anyone a name you aren't ready to use.””
He nodded and returned to his drawing.
A few minutes later, Margaret received an email from Clara's attorney. It contained a statement Clara had authorized for the investigators.
Margaret read it silently, then looked at me.
“There's something here that may explain why Julian was so determined to finalize the divorce.””
She turned the screen toward me.
The statement described a conversation Clara claimed to have overheard between Julian and his business partner.
According to Clara, Julian had said the trust could not be challenged while Evelyn's chosen guardian remained married to him and had access to Leo.
I read the sentence twice.
“Chosen guardian,” I whispered.
Margaret nodded.
“It's consistent with the provision we've seen, but we still need the original documents and independent confirmation.””
The statement continued.
Clara claimed Julian had planned to transfer several business assets before the divorce became final. She believed he intended to use the proceeds to fund a new property venture under her name.
But the final paragraph was what made my hands tremble.
Clara claimed Julian had told her that if Audrey ever discovered the truth about Rebecca's death, he would make sure she lost custody of both children.
Both children.
My unborn daughter and Leo.
I stared at the screen until the words blurred.
Then a new message appeared from Detective Grant.
*We have obtained authorization to examine the storage unit. The initial search has located the blue folder.*
A second message followed.
*There is also a handwritten letter bearing Julian Vance's signature and dated the evening before Rebecca's death.*
I held my breath.
The final message arrived a few seconds later.
*The letter appears to contain a direct threat against Rebecca. We need to verify its authenticity and context, but this is now a significant development in the investigation.*
I looked at Leo, sleeping with his rabbit tucked beneath his chin.
For the first time, I allowed myself to believe that the truth might finally come out.
Then Detective Grant called.
Her voice was grave.
“Audrey, the letter contains something else. Julian refers to a person who was supposed to meet Rebecca that night.””
“Who?””
The detective paused.
“Clara Bennett.””
I stared at the wall.
Julian had spent years telling me that Clara entered his life after Rebecca's death.
May you like
But if the letter was authentic, their connection began much earlier.
And whatever happened on that wet Missouri road, my husband had been lying about it from the very beginning.
