Chapter 9: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
The name on the note was one I had never heard before.
But my father had.
I knew because his entire expression changed.
“Who is she?””
He didn’t answer.
“Dad.””
He looked at me.
“Her name is Rachel Bennett.””
The woman from the photograph.
The missing employee.
The person who knew about Mark before anyone else.
Mia looked confused.
“Why would she say Emily is a victim?””
Dad picked up the note again.
“I don’t know.””
Vanessa sat quietly.
That was strange.
Usually she always had something to say.
But now she looked frightened.
“Vanessa?””
She looked up.
“What?””
“You knew Rachel?””
She hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
My father noticed too.
“You did.””
Vanessa looked away.
“I met her once.””
“When?””
“Before the wedding.””
Dad went silent.
“What?””
She sighed.
“Rachel came to my house.””
“Why?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“She warned me about Mark.””
The room became completely still.
“You knew he was dangerous?””
“I didn’t understand.””
Dad stood.
“You didn’t understand?””
His voice shook.
“She told you he was stealing from me.””
Vanessa looked down.
“She told me you were in danger.””
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“And you still worked with him?””
Tears appeared in Vanessa’s eyes.
“I thought she was trying to destroy him.””
“Why?””
“Because Mark told me Rachel hated him.””
Dad laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because he couldn’t believe it.
“He used you.””
Vanessa nodded slowly.
“I know.””
For once, she didn’t defend herself.
She just looked broken.
Dad sat back down.
“So where is Rachel now?””
Nobody answered.
Then Vanessa whispered:
“I don’t know.””
The next day, Dad searched through old company records.
He found Rachel’s old contact information.
But the number was disconnected.
Her address was empty.
It was like she had disappeared.
Then, while we were eating dinner, Dad received an email.
No subject.
No message.
Just an attachment.
He opened it.
A video file.
“Don’t play it,” Vanessa said suddenly.
Everyone looked at her.
“How do you know?””
She froze.
“I…”
Dad stared.
“How do you know what it is?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
My father clicked the video.
The screen showed a dark room.
A woman sat in front of the camera.
Rachel.
She looked tired.
Scared.
But alive.
My heart started racing.
She looked directly into the camera.
“If you’re watching this, Mark knows I found the evidence.””
Dad leaned closer.
Rachel continued.
“Daniel, I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you sooner.””
My father covered his mouth.
The video continued.
“Mark didn’t just steal from your company.””
A pause.
“He targeted your family.””
I felt a chill.
Rachel looked down.
“Vanessa wasn’t his first choice.””
My father froze.
“What?””
Rachel continued.
“He needed someone close to you.””
The video glitched.
Then came back.
“And when Emily’s account was opened…”
My heart stopped.
Rachel looked directly at the camera.
“He found the easiest way to hurt you.””
The screen suddenly went black.
Nobody moved.
Then a final message appeared.
*PART TWO WILL REVEAL THE PERSON WHO GAVE MARK ACCESS.*
My father stared at the screen.
Then his phone buzzed.
A new text message.
One sentence.
*Stop looking for Rachel. She’s closer than you think.*
Dad slowly looked toward Vanessa.
And Vanessa whispered:
“Daniel…”
May you like
Her face went completely pale.
“Someone is inside this house.””
