Chapter 10: The Man Outside the Window
James moved toward the window and pulled the curtain aside just enough to see the parking lot.
The black SUV had stopped directly beneath a security camera.
A tall man stepped out.
He wore a charcoal suit and carried a photograph in his right hand.
James recognized him immediately.
"That's Daniel.""
Richard's attorney.
Patricia tightened her arms around Lucas.
"Why would Richard send his lawyer here?""
James didn't answer.
Instead, he turned toward Dr. Hayes.
"Lock the doors.""
Dr. Hayes looked confused.
"Mr. Whitmore, what's happening?""
"Someone is threatening a witness. I want security in this corridor immediately.""
I looked at Brielle.
She was staring at the photograph James had received.
"Mom," she whispered.
"What?""
"That's not just a photograph of you.""
I took the phone.
The picture showed me leaving my house three days earlier, wearing a blue cardigan and carrying a grocery bag.
But something was written on the back.
A handwritten message had been added digitally.
*THE NEXT ACCIDENT WON'T BE AN ACCIDENT.*
My knees weakened.
James took the phone.
"Call the police.""
Dr. Hayes immediately reached for his desk telephone.
Before he could dial, someone knocked on the door.
Three sharp knocks.
"Open up. I'm here on behalf of Richard Whitmore.""
Daniel's voice.
James stood between the door and Patricia.
"Go away.""
"I have documents requiring immediate attention.""
"Then leave them with the police.""
There was a pause.
Daniel spoke again.
"James, your father is trying to prevent an unfortunate situation. Don't make this worse.""
James opened the door just a few inches.
"You're threatening my family?""
Daniel looked past him.
His eyes landed on Lucas.
For a fraction of a second, his professional expression disappeared.
Then he recovered.
"Lucas. It's been a long time.""
Patricia stood.
"Get away from my son.""
Daniel ignored her.
"Mr. Whitmore would like to speak with you privately.""
Lucas shook his head.
"Tell him I'm not going anywhere.""
Daniel sighed.
"You're making a mistake.""
James pushed the door shut.
But before it closed completely, Daniel slipped an envelope through the gap.
It landed on the floor.
James picked it up.
Inside was a photograph of Robert's car after the accident.
I recognized the damaged front end.
My husband had been driving that car.
But something else caught my attention.
The photograph showed a second vehicle parked behind it.
A silver Mercedes.
I turned toward Eleanor.
"Is that the second vehicle?""
She nodded.
Her lips trembled.
"Yes.""
"Who was driving it?""
She looked at me.
Then she whispered, "I was.""
I couldn't move.
My sister began crying.
"Twelve years ago, Richard called me after the accident. He said Brielle had been involved and that Laura was dead. He told me he needed help getting her home before the police arrived.""
I stared at her.
"You drove the second car?""
"Yes.""
"And you knew Lucas was alive?""
She nodded.
"I saw him in Richard's vehicle.""
Patricia stepped forward.
"Then you knew where my son was?""
"I didn't know where he was taken. Richard told me he was receiving treatment.""
"You believed him?""
Eleanor lowered her head.
"I wanted to believe him.""
Patricia slapped the table.
"You helped them erase my children!""
Eleanor broke down.
"I know.""
I looked at my sister.
"Why didn't Robert tell me?""
"Because he discovered I had helped Richard. He was furious. He told me I needed to come forward, but I was afraid.""
"Afraid of what?""
"Richard had recordings.""
She opened her handbag and removed a small USB drive.
"He recorded conversations between us. He said if I ever went to the police, he would tell them I helped conceal the accident.""
James took the USB drive.
"What's on this?""
"Everything.""
I stared at her.
"Everything?""
"Richard discussing the accident. The missing money. The insurance policy. And what happened to Robert.""
My heart stopped.
"What happened to Robert?""
Eleanor wiped her cheeks.
"Robert found out that Richard had arranged the original accident investigation. He threatened to take the evidence to federal authorities.""
"Then?""
"Richard asked me to arrange a meeting with him. He promised he would return the money and leave Brielle alone.""
I could barely breathe.
"But Robert never came home.""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Richard called me afterward. He said Robert had suffered a heart attack.""
"Was that true?""
She looked at me.
"I don't know.""
Then she said something that made James step backward.
"Because Richard told me he had already arranged for Robert's medication to be changed.""
I grabbed the edge of the table.
My husband had been taking medication for a heart condition.
He had trusted his doctors.
He had trusted his business partners.
And apparently, someone had used that trust against him.
A sudden crash came from the corridor.
Dr. Hayes shouted.
The door handle began moving.
James turned toward the others.
"Everyone stay back.""
Then the lights went out.
For several seconds, the room was completely dark.
I heard Patricia calling Lucas's name.
Someone knocked over a chair.
Then a voice whispered near my ear.
"Margaret, don't move.""
It was Brielle.
She grabbed my hand.
"Mom, we have to get out through the back corridor.""
I hesitated.
"Why?""
She pulled me toward the door.
"Because Daniel isn't alone.""
We followed her through a side exit.
As we reached the stairwell, James looked back.
"How did you know about this exit?""
Brielle didn't answer.
She pulled out her phone and opened a message.
It was from Richard.
*Get Margaret out. Bring the USB. Leave Lucas.*
James stared at the screen.
Then he looked at his wife.
"You're still taking orders from him?""
Brielle shook her head.
"No.""
She turned the phone around.
There was another message underneath.
*If you disobey me, I'll release the video of what happened to Laura.*
I looked at my daughter.
"What video?""
May you like
Brielle began trembling.
"The video from the car.""
