Chapter 14: The Last Lie Vanessa Told
Dad immediately called the police detective.
"Someone has booked an international flight using my daughter's identity.""
The detective replied that airport authorities had already been notified.
"Don't let that plane leave," Dad demanded.
"We're handling it.""
I stared at the passenger list.
"Why would Vanessa book a ticket in my name?""
Rachel answered before Dad could.
"Because she needs to make it look as if you voluntarily left.""
The attorney nodded.
"If she can establish that Emily has relocated, she may attempt to challenge the trust's property protections again.""
Dad looked furious.
"She's not taking another step toward my daughter.""
The officer received another radio message.
"Vanessa has been located inside the private terminal. Richard Hale is with her.""
Dad turned toward me.
"Stay here with Grandma.""
"No.""
"Emily—"
"She's been using my name, stealing my money, and lying about Mom. I'm not hiding while she tells another story.""
Rachel placed a hand on my shoulder.
"She's right, Michael. We can go with the officers. Emily won't be alone.""
After a brief discussion, the detective agreed to let Dad and Rachel accompany the police. I was allowed to remain with Grandma in a secure area while the officers handled the confrontation.
When we arrived at the airport, the private terminal was unusually quiet.
A black SUV stood near the entrance.
Vanessa was beside it, holding a designer handbag.
Brittany stood next to her, crying.
Richard Hale was speaking to a man in a pilot's uniform.
Dad stepped forward.
"Vanessa!""
She turned.
For a split second, her face showed genuine surprise.
Then she smiled.
"Michael. What a pleasant surprise.""
Two officers approached her.
"Ma'am, we need you to come with us.""
She laughed.
"On what grounds?""
The detective stepped forward.
"Fraudulent financial transactions, identity misuse, and questions relating to the attempted transfer of protected estate assets.""
Vanessa looked at Dad.
"You're doing this in front of Brittany?""
Dad's expression didn't change.
"You brought Brittany into this when you used my daughter's inheritance to buy her a car.""
Brittany began crying harder.
"Mom, I don't want to go.""
Vanessa grabbed her hand.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be fine.""
Dad looked at Brittany.
"Did you know about the fake documents?""
She shook her head.
"I didn't know everything.""
"Did you know Emily's signature was forged?""
Brittany looked down.
"Mom said it was just paperwork.""
Rachel stepped closer.
"Did she tell you why she wanted Emily out of the house?""
Brittany began crying.
"She said Emily was going to ruin everything.""
Vanessa snapped.
"Stop talking!""
An officer moved between them.
"Ma'am, you need to calm down.""
Vanessa turned toward Richard.
"Tell them!""
Richard remained silent.
"Richard!""
He looked at the officers.
Then he said something none of us expected.
"I don't know this woman.""
Vanessa's face twisted.
"What?""
Richard adjusted his coat.
"I've never agreed to anything with you.""
She stared at him in disbelief.
"You promised me the money!""
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
Dad stepped forward.
"Then why were you on the flight manifest?""
Richard looked away.
The detective received a message and checked his phone.
"Mr. Hale, we have a warrant for your arrest.""
Richard immediately backed toward the SUV.
Two officers intercepted him.
Vanessa began shouting.
"You can't do this! He was the one who arranged everything!""
Richard turned on her.
"And you were the one who promised the house!""
The officers separated them.
Brittany sank into a chair, covering her face.
Dad approached her.
"Where's the envelope?""
She looked up.
"What envelope?""
"The one Vanessa took from the basement.""
Brittany hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small brown envelope.
"I took it from Mom's room.""
Vanessa stared at her.
"Brittany! Give that back!""
But Brittany handed it to Dad.
"She told me to destroy it. I couldn't.""
Dad opened it carefully.
Inside was a handwritten statement from my mother.
There were also copies of emails between Vanessa and Richard.
One email caught everyone's attention.
It was dated six weeks before my mother died.
Richard had written:
Once Laura is out of the way, we can transfer the property. Michael won't understand the documents, and the girl is too young to challenge anything.
Vanessa's reply was only one sentence.
Then we make sure she never has the chance.
Dad's face went white.
The detective photographed the email.
Vanessa started shouting.
"Those messages are fake!""
But Brittany suddenly spoke.
"Mom, stop lying.""
Everyone turned.
She stood up, wiping her face.
"I heard you talking to David. You said Emily's mother had found the bottle.""
Vanessa froze.
Brittany continued.
"You said the doctor was asking questions. You told David to get rid of the basement things.""
Dad looked at her.
"What bottle?""
Brittany shook her head.
"The one you kept in your bedroom drawer.""
Vanessa lunged toward her.
An officer restrained her immediately.
"Don't you touch my daughter!"" she screamed.
Brittany began sobbing.
"I don't want to lie anymore!""
Vanessa was placed in handcuffs.
As the officers led her away, she turned toward Dad.
"You think you've won?""
Dad said nothing.
She looked past him, directly at me.
Then she smiled.
"Ask your daughter what Laura told her the night she died.""
My heart stopped.
I stepped forward.
"What are you talking about?""
Vanessa's smile widened.
"Your mother was awake for a few minutes before she died. She told someone a secret.""
Dad grabbed my shoulder.
"Don't listen to her.""
Vanessa was pushed toward the police vehicle.
But she shouted one final sentence.
"She told me where the original deed was hidden!""
The officers closed the door.
I looked at Dad.
"Is there another deed?""
He nodded slowly.
"Apparently.""
Rachel opened the envelope again.
Something small slipped out and landed on the floor.
It was a brass key.
On its tag were two words.
*BANK VAULT.*
Dad picked it up.
And suddenly, the attorney's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then he turned toward us.
"Michael, the bank has just confirmed that Laura maintained a private safe-deposit box.""
Dad looked at the key.
"What's inside?""
The attorney's voice dropped.
"According to the account records, it contains the original estate deed, the complete financial history, and a sealed letter addressed to Emily.""
I stared at the key.
"Can we open it?""
The attorney nodded.
"Yes. But there's something you should know.""
May you like
He paused.
"The box was accessed yesterday.""
