Chapter 14: The Woman Who Had Been Lying All Along
Detective Harris read Vanessa's message over my shoulder.
"Do not respond," she said.
"We'll establish where she is and whether she's trying to manipulate us.""
But the words had already lodged in my mind.
I know who killed Rachel.
I had spent years believing Rachel's death was a medical tragedy. Then I'd believed Daniel was responsible. Then my mother had become a suspect.
Now Vanessa claimed she knew the truth.
I looked at Detective Harris.
"What if she's telling us something important?""
"Then we'll listen to her in a controlled setting. But we won't let her dictate how this investigation proceeds.""
The officers reached the facility's service entrance shortly before dusk.
I stayed with Detective Harris while the search team entered. Minutes passed. Then a radio crackled.
"Movement in the west corridor.""
Another voice responded.
"One suspect in custody. We have a second person unaccounted for.""
My heart hammered.
"What about my mother?"" I asked.
Detective Harris raised a hand, listening to the radio.
A moment later, an officer came running out of the building.
"We found Margaret Bennett. She's alive.""
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in days, I could breathe.
They brought my mother out on a stretcher. Her face was bruised, and her wrists were marked by restraints, but she was conscious.
I hurried toward her.
"Mom!""
She turned her head.
"Michael.""
I took her hand carefully.
"I'm here.""
Her fingers closed around mine.
"Is Sophie safe?""
"Yes. She's safe.""
My mother began to cry.
"Thank God.""
I wanted to ask a thousand questions, but the paramedics needed to examine her. I stepped back while they loaded her into the ambulance.
Detective Harris approached me.
"Daniel is in custody. We're still looking for Vanessa.""
"Did you find the necklace?""
"Not yet.""
I looked toward the building.
"Where was my mother being held?""
"In a storage room beneath the old clinic. There were signs she'd been kept there for several days.""
My stomach twisted.
"Why would Daniel keep her alive?""
"We believe he wanted the original medical documents. He may have thought Margaret knew where they were.""
I glanced at my phone.
Vanessa's message remained on the screen.
"I need to speak to her.""
Detective Harris considered that for a moment.
"We'll arrange it if we locate her. But first, I want you to hear what your mother has to say.""
At the hospital, Mom was given a private room while investigators took photographs of her injuries and collected her initial statement.
When I entered, she looked smaller than I remembered.
I sat beside her bed.
"Why didn't you tell me about the consent form?""
She stared at her hands.
"Because I thought I'd made Rachel's death possible.""
"Did you know what was in the medication?""
"No.""
"Did Vanessa tell you the doctor had approved it?""
"Yes. She said Rachel was in pain and needed something to help her rest.""
My throat tightened.
"Why did you trust her?""
"Because she told me Rachel had asked her to help. And because I wanted to believe there was still a way to save your wife.""
Mom closed her eyes.
"I signed the form. I shouldn't have done it without speaking to the doctor myself.""
"That doesn't mean you killed Rachel.""
"I know. But I was careless, Michael. And afterward, Vanessa told me that if I spoke about what happened, she'd make sure you lost Sophie.""
I leaned forward.
"How?""
"She said Daniel had evidence that Rachel had lied about Sophie's biological father. She threatened to use it to destroy your marriage and take Sophie away.""
I looked at the floor.
"So you stayed quiet.""
"I thought I was protecting you both.""
Mom began crying.
"I was wrong. I should have told you everything.""
I took her hand.
"Why did you go with Daniel?""
"Because he contacted me. He said he had the original records and wanted to help clear my name. I knew it was dangerous, but I thought I could get the documents and bring them to the police.""
"And then he locked you up.""
She nodded.
"He wanted the location of Rachel's backup files. I told him I didn't have them.""
I swallowed.
"Do you know who does?""
Mom looked directly at me.
"You do.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
"Rachel gave you the evidence before she died. You just never realized what it was.""
My mind raced through every object Rachel had left behind.
The photographs. The letters. The silver pendant.
The wooden rabbit.
I looked up sharply.
"Sophie's rabbit?""
Mom nodded.
"Rachel hid a tiny memory card inside its base. She told me it was the only place Daniel would never think to look.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Sophie has had that rabbit for years.""
"Then the evidence may still be safe.""
I called Detective Harris immediately and told her what Mom had revealed. She arranged for an officer to retrieve the rabbit from the secure apartment.
While we waited, my phone rang.
Vanessa.
Detective Harris gestured for me to answer on speaker.
"Michael," Vanessa said, her voice trembling.
"I'm ready to tell you everything.""
"Where are you?""
"At the old clinic. In the basement.""
"The police are searching that building.""
"I know. That's why I'm calling.""
"Why didn't you leave?""
"Because I have the necklace.""
Detective Harris signaled for me to keep her talking.
"Why does Daniel want it?""
"Because it contains evidence that can prove the medication order was changed.""
"Who changed it?""
Vanessa began sobbing.
"I did.""
The room went silent.
She continued before I could speak.
"I used Dr. Foster's credentials. Daniel told me the medication would make Rachel sleep. He said he needed time to get the documents from her room.""
My hands went numb.
"What happened to Rachel?""
"I didn't know the order would kill her. I swear I didn't know.""
"Did you give her the medication?""
"I brought her the cup. But I didn't administer the drug myself.""
"Who did?""
Vanessa's voice broke.
"I don't know. When I returned, Rachel was already unconscious. Dr. Foster told me to leave.""
Detective Harris leaned toward the phone.
"Vanessa, this is Detective Harris. Stay where you are. Officers are coming to your location.""
Vanessa whispered something I barely heard.
"There's something else.""
"What?"" I asked.
"Daniel wasn't the only person who wanted Rachel dead.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who else?""
Vanessa took a ragged breath.
"Rachel had discovered that the person who signed Sophie's original birth record wasn't Daniel.""
I stared at Detective Harris.
Vanessa continued.
"Daniel isn't Sophie's biological father, Michael.""
My heart stopped.
"Then who is?""
Her answer was almost inaudible.
"That's what the memory card proves.""
A loud crash sounded over the phone.
Vanessa screamed.
Then the line went dead.
Detective Harris immediately sent officers toward the basement.
I stood frozen, unable to process what I'd heard.
The truth about Rachel's death was finally within reach.
But the question that had haunted me since the beginning was still unanswered.
May you like
If Daniel wasn't Sophie's father, who was?
And why had Rachel spent her final days terrified that the truth would destroy our family?
