Chapter 7: The Woman Outside My Husband's House
The officer placed the photograph on the table.
I couldn't take my eyes off it.
The woman stood beneath the porch light at Walter's house. Her face was partially hidden by the hood of a dark coat, but her left wrist was visible.
A silver bracelet.
Tiffany's bracelet.
Daniel had given it to her during their engagement party. I'd personally helped him choose it. The initials T.M. were engraved on the clasp.
“That's Tiffany's bracelet,” I whispered.
The officer nodded.
“It's one reason we're interested in speaking with her.””
Tiffany immediately shook her head.
“This is ridiculous. I wasn't there that night.””
The officer introduced himself as Detective Harris.
“Ms. Miller, nobody has accused you of anything yet. We're simply asking questions.””
“I've already answered them. I wasn't at Margaret's house.””
“Where were you on November nineteenth?””
“At home.””
“Alone?””
“With my mother.””
Linda looked uncomfortable.
Detective Harris turned toward her.
“Mrs. Miller, can you confirm that?””
Linda opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Tiffany grabbed her mother's arm.
“Tell him!””
Linda swallowed.
“I don't remember the exact evening.””
Tiffany's expression became furious.
“Mom!””
“I'm sorry, sweetheart. I don't remember.””
The detective wrote something in his notebook.
“That's interesting, because a neighbor reported seeing a dark SUV outside Mr. Bennett's property around 9:30 p.m.””
I looked at Daniel.
He was staring at the photograph.
“Daniel,” I whispered.
“Were you there?””
He shook his head.
But his hands were trembling.
Detective Harris pulled another photograph from his folder.
This one showed a vehicle parked across the street.
The license plate was partially visible.
Daniel leaned forward.
Then he immediately sat back.
“Do you recognize this vehicle?”” the detective asked.
“No.””
“Are you certain?””
“Yes.””
The detective turned the photograph around.
“It's registered to your wife.””
Tiffany's face turned pale.
She quickly recovered.
“I lent my vehicle to someone.””
“Who?””
“I don't remember.””
“You don't remember who was driving your vehicle on the night your father-in-law died?””
“I have a busy life. I don't keep track of every little thing.””
Detective Harris closed his folder.
“Then we'll check the vehicle records.””
Tiffany suddenly stood.
“This is harassment. I'm leaving.””
“Please sit down, Ms. Miller.””
“You can't keep me here!””
“We aren't detaining you. But leaving doesn't make these questions disappear.””
Robert stepped forward.
“Detective, I have additional financial records that may be relevant.””
He handed him the transaction statements.
“Fifty thousand dollars from my company's property deposit was transferred to an account linked to Jason Miller. We also discovered that the same people submitted a forged medical certificate concerning Margaret.””
Harris looked at the name.
“Jason Miller?””
“Yes. Tiffany's former husband.””
The detective glanced at Tiffany.
“Is that correct?””
She looked down.
“Jason and I have no relationship.””
Robert laughed bitterly.
“Then why is your company registered with him as a financial beneficiary?””
Tiffany spun around.
“You went through my private accounts?””
“I went through the documents submitted to my company. There's a difference.””
The detective raised his hand.
“Everyone, please.””
He then turned toward Daniel.
“Mr. Bennett, I'd like to speak with you separately.””
Daniel glanced at me.
I nodded.
“Tell the truth, sweetheart.””
He followed the detective into a small conference room.
Through the glass, I watched Harris place a photograph on the table.
Daniel leaned forward.
His shoulders dropped.
Then he covered his face.
Helen approached me.
“Margaret, there's something else you should know.””
“What?””
“Walter contacted me on the afternoon of his death. He said he had discovered that Daniel was being pressured to hand over the original deed.””
“Was that the blue envelope?””
Helen nodded.
“I believe so.””
I remembered Jason's words on the phone.
Ask Daniel about the blue envelope.
“Did Walter ever tell you what was inside?””
Helen opened her case.
“He said it contained evidence of an agreement between Tiffany, Jason, and another person.””
“Who?””
She shook her head.
“He didn't tell me. But he wanted it delivered to the police if anything happened to him.””
A cold feeling settled in my stomach.
“Where is that envelope now?””
Helen looked directly at Daniel through the glass.
“I don't know.””
A few minutes later, Detective Harris returned.
Daniel followed him.
His eyes were red.
“Mom,” he whispered.
“What happened?””
He sat down and stared at his hands.
“I was there that night.””
My heart stopped.
“You told me you weren't.””
“I lied.””
“Why?””
He started crying.
“I went to see Dad because Tiffany said he'd agreed to give us the original deed. When I arrived, Tiffany was already there.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“What happened?””
“Dad was furious. He told her to leave. Then they started arguing.””
“About the land?””
Daniel nodded.
“And the envelope?””
He swallowed.
“Dad wouldn't give it to her.””
I leaned closer.
“What did she do?””
Daniel looked at Detective Harris.
Then he whispered something that made the detective immediately stop writing.
“Mom, Tiffany wasn't alone that night.””
“Who was with her?””
May you like
Daniel lifted his eyes.
“Jason.””
