Chapter 7: The Fifteen-Thousand-Dollar Lie
Richard Cole stared at the bank statement as if the numbers might rearrange themselves if he refused to acknowledge them.
“That's a reimbursement,” he finally said.
“Your mother owed me money for legal services.””
I kept my eyes on him.
“Fifteen thousand dollars? Three days before she died?””
“Yes.””
“For what services?””
“Estate planning. Medical directives. Various matters.””
“Then show us the invoices.””
Richard closed the folder.
“This conversation is becoming inappropriate.””
“No,” I replied.
“What's inappropriate is taking money from a dying woman while helping her believe her daughter is dead.””
Ryan stepped toward the officers.
“This is ridiculous. Richard has represented our family for decades. You can't seriously be suggesting he participated in some elaborate conspiracy based on a bank statement.””
Officer Bennett looked at him.
“Mr. Mitchell, nobody has accused you of anything beyond what we're investigating. Please let us do our jobs.””
Ryan's face reddened.
“I'm trying to help.””
“Then stop interrupting.””
A few guests exchanged uncomfortable glances. Daniel Brooks, Ryan's business partner, had moved closer to the table. His expression was no longer merely curious.
He looked worried.
“Richard,” Daniel said, “you told me three years ago that Emily's estate had been settled.””
Richard turned toward him.
“It had.””
“But you also told me Ryan was dealing with a complicated custody situation. You asked me to approve an emergency payment through the company.””
Ryan's head snapped around.
“Daniel, not now.””
Daniel ignored him.
“You said it was for legal protection. You told me not to ask questions because the money concerned a family tragedy.””
Richard adjusted his glasses.
“I don't recall the details.””
“I do.””
Daniel reached into his jacket and removed his phone.
“I still have the email.””
Ryan went completely still.
Daniel opened the message and handed the phone to Officer Bennett.
The officer read it, then passed it to her partner.
“What account was this payment made from?”” she asked.
“Our construction company,” Daniel replied.
“Ryan told me the funds were going to a law firm handling Emily's estate.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“That email was confidential business correspondence.””
“Then you won't mind explaining why it mentions Victor Hale,” Daniel answered.
I felt Emily's hand tighten around mine.
Ryan looked at Daniel with naked fury.
“You said you were my friend.””
“I was,” Daniel replied.
“Until I started realizing I might have helped you hurt someone.””
Ryan shoved his chair backward.
“You don't know anything!””
“Then explain the payments.””
Ryan had no answer.
Across the room, Vanessa stood alone beside the wedding cake. Her veil had slipped off one shoulder, and her bouquet lay abandoned beneath a table.
She looked at Ryan with the exhausted disbelief of someone watching an entire life collapse in real time.
“Was any of it real?”” she asked.
Ryan turned toward her immediately.
“Vanessa, please. I love you.””
“Did you love me when you told me your wife was dead?””
“I was trying to protect Lily.””
“Did you love me when you planned to have me adopt her without telling me her mother might still be alive?””
His silence was answer enough.
Vanessa removed the small diamond earrings he'd given her that morning and placed them beside her wedding ring.
“I don't know who I married.””
Ryan approached her.
“Don't do this in front of everyone.””
She took a step back.
“You slapped a seven-year-old child in front of everyone. You don't get to decide which parts of this are private.””
Lily looked up at her mother.
“Mommy, is Vanessa mad at me?””
Emily knelt beside her.
“No, sweetheart.””
“Because I said I wanted you?””
Emily's eyes filled.
“Never apologize for wanting your mother.””
Vanessa heard the words. Her face crumpled, and she turned away.
For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her.
Then I remembered that she'd stood beside Ryan while he tried to intimidate a little girl, and I reminded myself that sympathy didn't mean trust.
Officer Bennett approached Richard.
“Sir, we need copies of these documents and your contact information. You may also be asked to provide a formal statement.””
Richard straightened his tie.
“Of course. But I want it understood that I have committed no wrongdoing.””
“That will be determined after we review the evidence.””
He began gathering his papers.
I placed my hand over the folder.
“Not those.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Excuse me?””
“These are evidence now.””
“You have no authority to seize my property.””
Officer Bennett intervened before I could answer.
“We'll determine what needs to be retained. Please leave the documents on the table.””
Richard reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Then Emily spoke.
“You haven't told them about the second payment.””
Richard's head turned slowly.
“What second payment?””
“The one Ryan made after I escaped.””
Ryan's face changed.
Emily looked at me.
“I found out about it six months ago. Victor told me Ryan had paid someone to locate me after I left New Mexico.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Emily reached into her handbag and removed a small folded receipt.
“I don't know the person's name. Victor refused to tell me. But he said the payment had been made through a company registered in Texas.””
Daniel leaned closer.
“Do you have the company name?””
Emily unfolded the paper.
The company was called Mitchell Property Holdings.
Ryan's company.
Officer Bennett took the receipt.
“Mr. Mitchell, do you have any explanation for this payment?””
Ryan stared at the paper.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
“Absolutely.””
He looked directly at Emily.
“She knows exactly who helped me find her.””
Emily went pale.
Ryan took a step toward her, his voice dropping.
“Tell them, Emily. Tell them who gave me your location.””
She shook her head.
“I never gave you anything.””
“You didn't have to.””
His smile widened.
“Someone you trusted did it for you.””
And when he turned toward Lily, I realized he wasn't talking about Richard.
He was talking about someone who had helped raise her.
May you like
Someone who had known exactly where Emily would run.
Someone who was still part of our family.
