Chapter 11: The Man at the Gate
Everyone in the room went still.
Daniel moved toward the window.
“There's a black SUV at the gate.””
I recognized it.
The same kind of vehicle I'd seen outside my old house.
The officer drew the curtain aside.
“Everyone stay inside.””
A man stepped out of the SUV.
Silver hair.
Dark suit.
Calm expression.
Richard Cole.
Sarah's breathing became shallow.
“That’s him.””
The officer opened the front door slightly.
“Sir, stay where you are.””
Richard stopped.
“I came to speak with Claire Miller.””
“You can speak from there.””
Richard smiled.
“I believe there has been a misunderstanding.””
I stepped closer to the door.
“There hasn't.””
His eyes found mine.
For one strange second, he looked almost sympathetic.
“Claire.””
I felt sick hearing my name in his voice.
“You knew my husband.””
“Yes.””
“You were with him the night he died.””
“Yes.””
Sarah whispered behind me, “Mom…”
I ignored her.
“What happened?””
Richard's expression didn't change.
“Your husband was frightened.””
“Of you?””
“Of what he had discovered.””
“What did he discover?””
Richard glanced at the police officer.
“This isn't the place to discuss it.””
“It is for me.””
He sighed.
“Your husband believed someone was stealing from his company.””
“Was he right?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
Richard looked directly at Sarah.
She stepped backward.
“Don't,” she whispered.
Richard said, “Your daughter knows more than she admits.””
Sarah shook her head.
“You're lying.””
Richard smiled.
“Am I?””
The officer stepped outside.
“Mr. Cole, you're going to need to come with us.””
Richard raised his eyebrows.
“On what grounds?””
“We're investigating unauthorized access to this property and potential fraud.””
Richard laughed softly.
“I have no connection to the renovations.””
Daniel spoke from behind me.
“You met with Sarah about them.””
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“Did I?””
“You signed off on the plans.””
“I advise many people.””
“You advised my daughter.””
Richard looked at Sarah.
“Did I?””
Sarah's face crumpled.
“You told me what to do.””
Richard shook his head.
“You made your own decisions.””
I looked between them.
Then I understood.
Sarah hadn't been the mastermind.
She'd been taking instructions.
The officer stepped closer.
“Mr. Cole, I'd like you to answer some questions downtown.””
Richard nodded.
“Of course.””
As he passed me, he stopped.
“You should be careful, Claire.””
I turned.
“Is that a threat?””
“No.””
His voice was quiet.
“It's advice.””
Then he leaned slightly closer.
“Your husband didn't die because of the cottage.””
I stared at him.
“He died because of what was under it.””
The officer grabbed his arm.
Richard walked away.
I stood frozen.
Daniel looked at me.
“What does that mean?””
I turned toward the basement.
“I don't know.””
Sarah did.
She was staring at the floor.
“Sarah?””
She didn't answer.
I stepped toward her.
“What is under the cottage?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I've never been down there.””
“You've been trying to renovate the basement.””
“Because Richard told me to.””
“Why?””
“Because he said that's where Dad hid the real records.””
I looked at the officer.
“Can we search the basement?””
He nodded.
“Stay behind us.””
We descended the stairs.
The basement smelled of damp wood and earth.
Daniel switched on the lights.
Nothing seemed unusual.
Then I noticed a section of concrete near the far wall.
It looked newer than the rest.
“That's it,” Sarah whispered.
The officer examined it.
“Why is this section different?””
“I don't know.””
Daniel crouched.
“There’s a seam.””
He ran his fingers along the edge.
Then stopped.
“Claire.””
“What?””
“There’s something underneath.””
The officer called for additional equipment.
While we waited, I noticed a tiny metal tag embedded in the concrete.
It had one word engraved on it.
*MILLER.*
Then another sound came from above.
A door slammed.
The officer looked up.
“Everyone stay here.””
Footsteps crossed the floor overhead.
Someone was inside the cottage.
And then we heard a woman's voice.
“Claire?””
May you like
It was Linda.
But Linda was standing beside me.
