Chapter 9: The Friend Who Knew Her Secret
Vanessa’s old friend lived thirty minutes away.
Her name was Lauren.
My father didn’t tell Vanessa where we were going.
I sat in the passenger seat while he drove.
The entire ride was quiet.
Finally, I asked:
“Are you scared?””
My father glanced at me.
“A little.””
“Why?””
He looked back at the road.
“Because sometimes the truth hurts more than the lie.””
I thought about that.
I understood.
The lie was that everything was normal.
The truth was that it wasn’t.
When we arrived, Lauren opened the door.
The second she saw my father, her expression changed.
“Daniel?””
He nodded.
“We need to talk.””
She looked behind him.
Then saw me.
Her face became pale.
“Oh.””
My father noticed.
“You know who he is?””
Lauren hesitated.
“Yes.””
“Then you know why we’re here.””
She stepped back.
“Come inside.””
Her house smelled like coffee and old books.
We sat in the living room.
My father placed the recording device on the table.
“When was Vanessa contacting you?””
Lauren looked down.
“Years ago.””
“About what?””
She didn’t answer.
“Lauren.””
She sighed.
“She was angry.””
“At who?””
“At Noah.””
My stomach dropped.
Lauren looked at me.
“I’m sorry.””
My father’s voice became cold.
“What did she say?””
Lauren swallowed.
“She said she felt like she would always come second.””
“That’s not Noah’s fault.””
“I know.””
“Then why did you help her?””
Lauren looked ashamed.
“I didn’t think it would go this far.””
My father leaned forward.
“What did she ask you to do?””
Lauren was silent.
Then she said:
“She wanted information.””
“What information?””
“About Noah’s mother.””
I felt my heartbeat increase.
“Why?””
Lauren looked at me.
“Because Vanessa wanted to know if your mother left anything behind.””
My father stared.
“Why would she care?””
Lauren’s voice dropped.
“Because she was afraid your mother had written something about her.””
The room went silent.
My father asked:
“Did she?””
Lauren nodded.
“Yes.””
I stopped breathing.
“What did it say?””
Lauren looked at me.
Then at my father.
“She said Vanessa would try to replace her.””
My father closed his eyes.
Lauren continued.
“But that wasn’t the worst part.””
“What was?””
She reached into a drawer.
She pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“I kept this because Vanessa asked me to destroy it.””
My father took it.
“Why didn’t you?””
Lauren looked at me.
“Because I had a son too.””
My father unfolded the paper.
The color drained from his face.
“What?””
I stepped closer.
“What is it?””
My father looked at me.
And before he could answer, Lauren whispered:
“It’s proof that Vanessa didn’t just hide your mother’s letter.””
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A pause.
“She tried to change the story of what happened the night your mother died.””
