Chapter 4: The Car That Came for Us
The crash outside the chapel sounded like an explosion.
Nora screamed and clutched my leg as guests surged toward the side aisles. Somewhere near the altar, a woman began praying aloud. The stained-glass windows trembled, scattering red and blue light across the floor.
I pulled Nora behind me.
“Ryan, get everyone away from the doors!””
My brother didn't move immediately. He was staring at Vanessa, who stood beside the altar with the little black device still in her hand.
“Who did you call?”” I demanded.
Vanessa slipped the device into her dress.
“I didn't call anyone.””
“You pressed something!””
“I told you, Ethan, I can explain.””
“Stop saying that!””
A second crash came from outside, followed by the sharp squeal of tires.
Rachel grabbed my arm.
“We have to leave. Now.””
Her face had gone gray. She leaned heavily on her cane, and I noticed how badly her left hand was shaking.
“Where are we going?”” I asked.
“Anywhere that isn't here.””
Ryan finally snapped into action. He helped my mother toward the rear exit while two of the wedding guests began guiding the others away from the windows.
I scooped Nora into my arms.
“Daddy, are they going to take Mommy away again?””
The question nearly broke me.
I pressed my lips against her forehead.
“No one is taking anyone away from us.””
Rachel looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.
“Ethan, don't make promises you don't understand.””
I stared at her.
“I've spent six years believing you were dead. I'm not losing you again.””
Before she could answer, the chapel's main doors slammed open.
A tall man in a gray suit stepped inside.
He wasn't the man from the videos.
This man had a shaved head, a scar across his chin, and a dark leather glove on his right hand. He scanned the room until his eyes settled on Rachel.
“There you are,” he said.
Rachel took a step backward.
The man smiled without warmth.
“Six years, Rachel. You made this very difficult.””
Ryan moved between him and my family.
“Stay where you are.””
The stranger glanced at Ryan's wedding suit.
“Ryan Miller. Still playing the hero?””
Ryan's fists tightened.
“You're not coming near them.””
The stranger reached inside his jacket.
I pulled Nora behind a pew.
“Everybody down!”” I shouted.
But instead of a weapon, the man produced a folded document and held it up.
“I'm not here to hurt anybody. I just need the woman to come with me.””
Rachel shook her head.
“No.””
“That's unfortunate.””
He glanced toward Vanessa.
“You told me she wouldn't be here.””
Vanessa's expression changed.
For a split second, I saw genuine fear in her eyes.
“You said the records were destroyed,” she whispered.
“They were supposed to be.””
“Then why is she alive?””
The man sighed.
“Because someone made a mistake six years ago.””
Rachel gripped her cane with both hands.
“You didn't make a mistake. You left me alive because you thought I would be too frightened to speak.””
The stranger tilted his head.
“And look where that brought us.””
I stepped out from behind the pew.
“Who are you?””
He looked me up and down.
“Someone who would advise you to return to your wedding reception, Mr. Miller.””
“My wedding is over.””
“Not necessarily.””
He glanced at Vanessa.
“She still has something you need to sign.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
Vanessa stared at the floor.
The stranger pulled a second document from his jacket.
“Your marriage settlement. The agreement transferring control of certain assets upon the completion of your marriage.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“You brought financial papers to our wedding?””
She lifted her chin.
“It's a standard agreement.””
“For what? A baby that doesn't exist?””
Her lips trembled.
“You don't understand the circumstances.””
“Then explain them!””
The stranger folded the papers and slipped them away.
“This is becoming unnecessarily theatrical. Rachel, you know what happens if you refuse to cooperate.””
Rachel's voice shook, but she didn't look away.
“I know what happens if I do.””
For the first time, the man's smile disappeared.
Then he turned toward Nora.
“Beautiful child. She has her mother's eyes.””
I moved so quickly that Ryan had to catch my shoulder to stop me from attacking him.
“Don't look at my daughter.””
The stranger raised both hands.
“Relax. I'm merely making an observation.””
Rachel stepped forward.
“If you come within ten feet of Nora, I'll tell them everything.””
He stared at her.
“Everything?””
“The accounts. The false death certificate. The woman whose body was placed in my car. The money Vanessa received.””
Vanessa suddenly screamed.
“Shut up!””
Rachel's eyes filled with tears.
“You've already destroyed enough lives.””
The stranger's jaw tightened.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then the distant wail of sirens reached us.
He glanced toward the doors.
“Looks like our time is up.””
He pointed at Rachel.
“This isn't finished.””
Then he turned and walked out through the shattered entrance.
I wanted to follow him, but Rachel grabbed my sleeve.
“No, Ethan. That's what he wants.””
Within seconds, two police cruisers pulled up outside. Officers rushed through the broken gates, their hands near their holsters.
Ryan began explaining what had happened, while my mother held Nora close enough to crush the flowers on her dress.
I stood beside Rachel, staring at the empty doorway.
“Who was that man?””
She took a long breath.
“His name is Marcus Voss. He handled the money for Vanessa's operation.””
“What operation?””
Rachel looked at Vanessa, who was now sitting on the altar steps with her face buried in her hands.
“An operation that began long before you met her.””
An officer approached us.
“Sir, we need everyone to remain here while we investigate the collision outside.””
Rachel nodded, but her attention had shifted to the parking lot.
A police officer was examining a black SUV that had smashed through the iron gates. The driver's door stood open. No one was inside.
On the passenger seat lay a small envelope.
Even from across the courtyard, Rachel recognized the handwriting.
Her face crumpled.
“No,” she whispered.
I took her hand.
“What is it?””
She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“They found the letters.””
“What letters?””
She looked at me.
“The ones I wrote to Nora.””
Then an officer emerged from the SUV holding a photograph.
He examined it briefly before walking toward us.
“Mr. Miller?””
I turned.
“What's that?””
He held up the picture.
It showed Nora standing outside her elementary school.
Taken that morning.
May you like
And beneath the photograph, someone had written a message in thick black ink.
*THE NEXT ACCIDENT WON'T MISS.*
