Chapter 7: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
"Dr. Foster, who entered my wife's room?""
For several seconds, I heard nothing but her breathing.
Then she whispered, "Vanessa.""
I gripped the edge of the kitchen counter.
"My wife?""
"Yes.""
"That's impossible. Vanessa didn't know Rachel until after she died.""
Another silence.
"Michael, I need you to understand something. I should have told you this years ago, but I was afraid. Vanessa wasn't a stranger to Rachel. They knew each other long before you met your second wife.""
Behind me, Vanessa made a strangled sound.
I turned.
She was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her face drained of color.
"Put the phone down," she said.
I raised my hand, signaling for her to stay back.
"Dr. Foster, can you tell me where you are?""
"I'm at home. But I don't think it's safe to speak over the phone.""
"Then I'll come to you.""
"No!"" Her voice sharpened.
"Listen carefully. Don't tell Vanessa where you're going. And don't bring the little girl.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why are you afraid of my daughter?""
"I'm not afraid of Sophie. I'm afraid of the people who believe they have a claim over her.""
Before I could ask another question, the line went dead.
I stared at the phone.
Vanessa took a step toward me.
"Michael, you have to stop this.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You keep saying that. Every time I get close to an answer, you tell me to stop.""
"Because you're putting Sophie in danger!""
"She's already been in danger. You made sure of that.""
Vanessa flinched.
"I didn't know Daniel would take your mother.""
"But you knew he was coming.""
She lowered her eyes.
That was enough.
I called Detective Harris and told her about the conversation with Dr. Foster. I also reported the break-in and explained that Rachel's letter had been stolen.
The detective instructed me not to approach Daniel and arranged for officers to check on Sophie at Mrs. Carter's home.
"Mr. Bennett," she said, "I need you to be completely honest with me. Did you know your wife before you married her?""
"No. We met at a charity fundraiser.""
"Did she know your first wife?""
"She says they did.""
"Then we need to establish the nature of that relationship.""
After the call, I packed a small bag for Sophie and went to collect her from our neighbor.
She was sitting on Mrs. Carter's sofa, drawing a picture with a box of crayons.
When she saw me, she dropped the crayons and ran into my arms.
"Daddy!""
I held her tightly.
"I'm here, sweetheart.""
She pressed her cheek against my shoulder.
"Can we go somewhere else?""
"Yes.""
"Somewhere Mommy Vanessa doesn't know?""
I couldn't promise her that immediately. But I could promise that she wouldn't have to face Vanessa alone again.
"We're going to stay somewhere safe while the police help us.""
Sophie nodded.
Then she reached into the pocket of her little cardigan.
"I kept something.""
She opened her palm.
A small silver key lay across it.
"Where did you get this?""
"Grandma gave it to me.""
"When?""
"The day she came to the house.""
My heart began pounding.
"What did she say it was for?""
Sophie looked around to make sure nobody was listening.
"She said if Mommy Vanessa ever tried to send me away, I should give it to Daddy.""
I crouched in front of her.
"Did Grandma tell you what it opened?""
Sophie shook her head.
"She said Daddy would know.""
I examined the key. It was old, with a round head and a narrow shaft. A tiny number had been engraved near the base.
*214.*
I remembered the garage footage. My mother had carried a thick folder, and she'd refused to hand it over to Vanessa or Daniel.
Could the key belong to a storage unit?
I slipped it into my pocket.
That evening, I arranged for Sophie to stay with Mrs. Carter while Detective Harris helped me find a secure place nearby. I wanted my daughter away from the house until we understood what was happening.
Then I drove to Dr. Foster's address.
I didn't go inside.
Two unmarked police vehicles were already parked across the street, and Detective Harris had instructed me to wait for her.
When she arrived, she approached the front door with another officer.
The door stood slightly open.
"Dr. Foster?"" she called.
No answer.
We entered together.
The living room was tidy, but a lamp lay shattered beside the sofa. A drawer had been pulled from a desk, and papers were scattered across the floor.
Detective Harris raised a hand.
"Nobody touch anything.""
We moved through the house.
The kitchen was empty.
The bedroom was empty.
Then the officer beside me stopped at a small study near the back of the house.
There was blood on the carpet.
Not much, but enough to make my stomach turn.
On the desk sat a photograph of Rachel holding newborn Sophie.
Someone had written a message across the glass frame.
*STOP ASKING ABOUT THE NIGHT SHE DIED.*
Detective Harris called for additional officers.
I stood frozen, staring at the photograph.
Dr. Foster had known the truth.
And now someone had silenced her before she could tell me.
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
*Your mother is alive because Daniel still needs something from her. If you want her back, find Unit 214 before midnight.*
I looked down at the little silver key in my hand.
May you like
Then another message arrived.
*Come alone, Michael. Or the next photograph you receive will be your daughter's.*
