Chapter 8: The Man Behind Adrian
Adrian's father had been dead for six years.
That should have made the detective's statement impossible.
It didn't.
Because the voice on the recording belonged to someone named Richard Cole.
Adrian's father.
A man I had met exactly once.
At my wedding.
I remembered him now.
The cold handshake.
The expensive watch.
The way he'd looked at me as though he were evaluating a purchase.
I had assumed he disliked me.
Apparently, he had known exactly what his son was doing.
Detective Bennett explained it while we sat in the station's conference room.
“The recording was timestamped six weeks before your father's death.””
“Richard was alive then?””
“Yes.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Why didn't anyone investigate him?””
“Because nobody knew about the recording,” Daniel said.
“And after he died?””
“The investigator buried it.””
“Why?””
Daniel's face hardened.
“Because Adrian paid him.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“How much?””
“Enough to keep him quiet for years.””
I stared at the table.
“How much did Adrian pay him?””
Daniel answered.
“Seventy-five thousand dollars.””
Julian cursed under his breath.
Then Caleb's phone buzzed.
He looked at the screen.
“It's Vanessa.””
I looked up.
“Why is she calling you?””
He answered on speaker.
Vanessa sounded terrified.
“Caleb?””
“What happened?””
“I need to talk to Claire.””
I took the phone.
“This is Claire.””
There was a shaky breath.
“I know.””
“Why are you calling?””
“Because Adrian lied to me too.””
I said nothing.
“He told me your marriage was over.””
“It wasn't.””
“I know that now.””
Her voice cracked.
“He told me you were leaving him.””
I closed my eyes.
“When?””
“Months ago.””
“And you believed him?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because he showed me divorce papers.””
My eyes opened.
“Divorce papers?””
“Yes.””
Daniel immediately leaned toward the phone.
“Did Claire sign them?””
“No.””
“Did Adrian?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“I don't know.””
I looked at Daniel.
He understood.
“Where are they?””
Vanessa whispered, “At Adrian's apartment.””
My heart sank.
“What else is there?””
Silence.
“Vanessa.””
“He had a safe.””
Marcus stood.
“What kind?””
“Behind a painting in his office.””
Julian grabbed his coat.
“Let's go.””
Detective Bennett stopped him.
“You're not going anywhere near that apartment without us.””
Marcus nodded.
“Fine.””
Vanessa suddenly spoke again.
“There is something else.””
I took the phone closer.
“What?””
“I found a photograph.””
“Of what?””
“Your father.””
My breath caught.
“Where?””
“In Adrian's safe.””
“Why would Adrian have a photograph of my father?””
“I don't know.””
“Describe it.””
Vanessa swallowed.
“Your father is standing beside a car.””
My stomach dropped.
“Is there anyone else?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
“I can't tell.””
“Look.””
“I am.””
“What do you see?””
Vanessa went quiet.
Then she whispered something that made my blood turn cold.
“Claire…”
“What?””
“The man beside your father is your husband.””
Nobody spoke.
Even Detective Bennett looked stunned.
I whispered, “That's impossible.””
Vanessa answered softly.
“I thought so too.””
Then there was a loud crash on her end.
She screamed.
The call disconnected.
I immediately called back.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Detective Bennett grabbed her radio.
“Send officers to Vanessa Cole's location.””
I stared at my phone.
Then I saw something.
A message had arrived.
From Vanessa.
Only four words.
*He knows I talked.*
May you like
A second message appeared beneath it.
*Run.*
