Chapter 5: The Woman Who Was Sent Into My Life
Daniel insisted that Lily and I leave the estate through a private entrance.
The wedding guests were still waiting outside.
Some were beginning to whisper. Others were checking their phones, wondering why the ceremony hadn't started.
I didn't care.
My daughter had spent the last two hours being frightened, threatened, and forced to keep secrets.
She deserved to go home.
As I buckled her into the back seat of my SUV, she touched my arm.
"Daddy?""
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Are you still going to marry Vanessa?""
I looked at her through the rearview mirror.
"No, baby.""
"Because I was bad?""
My throat tightened.
I climbed into the back seat beside her.
"Listen to me carefully. You didn't ruin anything. You didn't do anything wrong.
The wedding was supposed to be about making our family happier. But a family should never make you afraid.""
She nodded.
Then she whispered, "Mommy wouldn't like Vanessa.""
I kissed her forehead.
"I don't think she would either.""
When we reached home, Daniel was already waiting with two security officers.
He had also called a digital forensic specialist to preserve the contents of Vanessa's secret phone.
"Have you contacted the police?"" I asked.
"Yes. I've also requested the original accident records through the appropriate legal channels.""
I nodded.
"Good. I want everything documented.""
We went upstairs to Lily's bedroom.
Her little wooden treasure chest sat beneath the bed, exactly where she had described.
It was painted white with pink flowers. Emily had bought it at a craft fair when Lily was barely two.
I pulled it out.
"Is this the one, sweetheart?""
Lily nodded.
"Mommy told me to keep it safe.""
I opened the lid.
Inside were drawings, birthday cards, a broken hair clip, and a photograph of Emily holding Lily.
Beneath the toys was a blue leather folder.
My hands started shaking.
I hadn't seen it in three years.
Daniel put on a pair of gloves before examining the contents.
The first document was a printed bank statement.
The second was a list of company transfers.
The third was a photograph of several signed checks.
I recognized the accounts.
They belonged to Carter Construction.
Daniel studied the numbers.
"Michael, do you know about these transfers?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
He pointed to a series of payments.
"Over eighteen months, more than $1.8 million moved through these accounts.""
I stared at him.
"Where did it go?""
"Several companies. Some appear to be legitimate subcontractors. Others need further investigation.""
One company name caught my attention.
Northbridge Consulting.
I had never heard of it.
But beside the name was a handwritten note in Emily's familiar handwriting.
J.C. controls this account.
I looked at Daniel.
"J.C.?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "James Carter?""
I nodded.
Daniel turned the page.
There was another note.
If anything happens to me, Michael must know that the payments were approved using a forged authorization.
I sat down on Lily's bed.
Emily had known.
She'd discovered someone was stealing from us.
And she'd been trying to protect me.
I turned another page.
A small envelope had been taped inside the folder.
My name was written across it.
Michael.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
My love,
If you're reading this, something has happened, and I wasn't able to explain everything.
I need you to understand that I never wanted to leave you or Lily.
I've found evidence that someone close to us has been using the company to move money. I don't know how far it goes, but I know they're watching me.
I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid they would destroy the evidence before we could prove anything.
Please protect Lily.
And whatever happens, don't let James take her anywhere.
I read the final sentence again.
Don't let James take her anywhere.
My vision blurred.
Daniel gently took the letter.
"Michael, we need to preserve this.""
I nodded.
But there was something else.
At the bottom of the envelope, Emily had written a phone number.
Beneath it were four words.
*Call Rebecca. She knows.*
"Who is Rebecca?"" I asked.
Daniel examined the handwriting.
"Could be a lawyer, a friend, or someone connected to the investigation.""
I looked through the rest of the folder.
There was a business card.
Rebecca Hayes.
Private investigator.
Atlanta, Georgia.
On the back, Emily had written:
She has the original recording.
I immediately searched the number on my phone.
It was still active.
I called.
A woman answered after four rings.
"Hayes Investigations.""
"My name is Michael Carter. My wife was Emily Carter.""
Silence.
Then I heard a sharp intake of breath.
"Mr. Carter?""
"Yes.""
"Is Lily with you?""
I looked toward my daughter, who was sitting on the carpet arranging her stuffed animals.
"She's right here.""
The woman lowered her voice.
"Then listen carefully. I need you to get somewhere safe.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Because I received a message twenty minutes ago telling me that the Carter family matter was officially closed.""
"Who sent it?""
She hesitated.
Then she said, "Your brother.""
I gripped the phone.
"James?""
"Yes. He also told me you were getting married today.""
"How did he know?""
"Because he contacted me yesterday asking whether I still had Emily's original recording.""
My heart started racing.
"Did you?""
"Yes.""
"What's on it?""
Rebecca took a breath.
Then she said something that made my knees weaken.
"Your wife recorded a conversation with the person who threatened her the night before she died.""
I swallowed.
"Who was it?""
Before Rebecca could answer, a loud crash came from downstairs.
One of the security officers shouted.
Daniel rushed toward the bedroom door.
May you like
And Lily began crying.
Someone had just broken into my house.
