Chapter 14: The Voice on the Recording
Madison arrived at Robert's office the following afternoon with Detective Bennett.
She looked smaller than I remembered, as though the previous twenty-four hours had stripped away the confidence she'd worn like armor.
Her hair was tangled. Her sweatshirt was stained, and her eyes were swollen from crying.
Vanessa rushed toward her.
“Oh, sweetheart!””
Madison stepped into her mother's arms and began sobbing.
“I thought he was going to leave me there,” she whispered.
Vanessa held her tightly.
“I've got you. You're safe.””
I remained where I was.
Madison eventually looked over her mother's shoulder and met my eyes.
“Michael?””
I nodded.
“I'm glad you're safe.””
She wiped her face.
“I know you're angry with me.””
“I am.””
Her shoulders sagged.
“But I'm also glad you're alive,” I continued.
“Both things can be true.””
She looked down.
“I need to tell you what happened.””
Detective Bennett explained that Madison had already given an initial statement. She could speak to us about her experience, but questions concerning the investigation should go through the detective.
We sat around Robert's conference table.
Madison folded her hands together.
“Dad told me he wanted to meet someone who could make the loan disappear. He said if I came with him, he'd show me proof that Michael had been lying about everything.””
“What did he mean?”” Olivia asked.
“He said Michael had stolen money that belonged to our family.””
I frowned.
“What family?””
“His family. Mom's. Mine.””
Madison took a breath.
“He kept saying you had promised to help him and then changed your mind because you didn't want me to have anything Olivia had.””
Olivia looked away.
Madison noticed.
“I know that's not true now,” she said quickly.
“I know I was wrong.””
I didn't interrupt.
She continued.
“When we got to the warehouse, Dad showed me a folder full of documents. He said if I signed another statement, everything would be fixed.””
“Another statement?”” Robert asked.
Madison nodded.
“He wanted me to say that I'd heard Michael agree to the loan. He said it would prove that everyone had misunderstood what happened.””
“And did you sign it?”” Detective Bennett asked.
“No.””
The answer came firmly.
For the first time, I saw a glimpse of the girl who'd once sat beside me at the kitchen table, carefully painting the cardboard bridge we'd built together.
“I asked him why he needed me to lie,” Madison continued.
“He got angry. He said I was acting just like Michael.””
“What happened next?”” I asked.
“He called someone. He said the person was coming to collect the original documents. Then he told me to wait in the car.””
Madison began trembling.
“I heard them arguing inside the warehouse. Dad was saying he wanted more money. The other man said he'd already paid him enough.””
“Did you see the man?”” Detective Bennett asked.
“Only for a few seconds. He was wearing a baseball cap. I couldn't see his face clearly.””
“What did you do?””
“I ran.””
Her voice broke.
“I didn't know where to go. I took the flash drive because Dad had dropped it, and I thought it might prove what he was doing. I hid behind a building until I saw a police car.””
I looked at her.
“You could have called us.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't you?””
She stared at her hands.
“Because I was ashamed.””
The room fell silent.
“I knew about the loan,” she continued.
“I knew Dad wanted the Mercedes money. I thought if I helped him, he'd finally be proud of me. I thought he'd stop disappearing and start acting like my father again.””
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Madison looked at me.
“You were the one who actually showed up for me. You paid for school, came to my performances, and sat with me when I was sick. But I kept thinking that if I got Dad what he wanted, he'd finally choose me.””
I felt a painful ache in my chest.
“Madison, you didn't need to buy your father's love.””
“I know that now.””
She began crying again.
“I treated you terribly. I treated Olivia terribly. And when you gave me the Toyota, I acted like you'd insulted me.””
Olivia looked at her for a long moment.
“You told me to shut up in front of everybody.””
Madison nodded.
“I know.””
“You grabbed my keys.””
“I know.””
“You were willing to sell my car.””
Madison covered her face.
“I'm sorry.””
Olivia didn't embrace her. She didn't tell her everything was forgiven.
Instead, she said, “I'm glad you're safe. But I need time.””
Madison nodded.
“I understand.””
Detective Bennett then explained that the flash drive had been processed and contained several files, including a recording.
She played it through a secure device.
At first, there was only static.
Then Daniel's voice came through.
“We agreed that Michael would never know where the documents came from.””
A second voice answered.
“He won't. The only thing that matters is getting him to sign the final agreement.””
Daniel sounded agitated.
“And Madison?””
“She'll do what her mother tells her.””
I felt Vanessa stiffen beside me.
The second voice continued.
“Once the property claim is established, Michael will have two choices. He can pay to make the problem disappear, or he can spend years fighting it.””
Daniel laughed nervously.
“And if he refuses?””
“Then we use the daughter.””
The recording went silent for several seconds.
Then Daniel asked, “Which one?””
The second voice answered without hesitation.
“Either. It doesn't matter. They're both leverage.””
Olivia grabbed my hand.
I felt my stomach turn.
The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't immediately place it.
Detective Bennett stopped the recording.
“Do you recognize the speaker?””
I shook my head.
“Not yet.””
She played the final section.
This time, the man spoke more clearly.
“Tell Vanessa that everything will be ready before the birthday. Once the Mercedes is sold, we'll have enough cash to move forward.””
A pause.
Then Daniel asked, “And the original deed?””
The man replied, “Diane has it.””
My blood ran cold.
Diane.
Olivia's mother.
But before I could react, the speaker added a final sentence.
“She's the only one who knows the house was purchased with money that never belonged to Michael.””
The recording ended.
No one moved.
Robert slowly turned toward me.
“Michael, what does that mean?””
I stared at the device.
I had bought the house after my divorce. I'd paid for it with the proceeds from my construction company and the sale of a commercial property.
At least, that was what I believed.
I turned toward Detective Bennett.
“Can you identify the speaker?””
“Not conclusively from this recording alone. We're arranging a forensic examination.””
Vanessa looked terrified.
“Michael, I don't know what they're talking about.””
I believed she might not.
Then my phone rang.
Diane.
I answered.
“Michael, the police just called me. They said they found a recording.””
“Yes.””
Her voice trembled.
“There's something I should have told you years ago.””
I closed my eyes.
“Diane, what is it?””
She took a shaky breath.
“The money you used to buy that house didn't all come from your business.””
I gripped the phone.
“What are you talking about?””
“When we divorced, I gave you my share of the proceeds from our old house. You used that money to help fund the purchase of your current property.””
“That was part of our settlement.””
“Yes. But there was another payment.””
I couldn't speak.
Diane whispered, “The money came from a trust established by my father. It was intended for Olivia.””
The room seemed to tilt.
“What?””
“My father set aside money for Olivia when she was born. I used part of it during the divorce to help you stabilize your finances because I believed we were still working together for her future.””
I stared at Robert.
He looked stunned.
Diane continued.
“I never intended to claim your house. But the trust documents may contain restrictions about how that money could be used.””
My mouth went dry.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I thought the money had been properly accounted for in the settlement. I didn't realize Daniel was trying to use it against you until today.””
I slowly lowered the phone.
The house hadn't been stolen.
But part of the money used to purchase it might have belonged to Olivia.
And if Daniel had discovered that fact, the entire scheme might have been built around a legitimate financial question twisted into a weapon.
I looked at Robert.
“We need those trust documents.””
He nodded.
Then Detective Bennett's phone rang.
She answered, listened, and looked directly at me.
“We've identified the person who arranged the meeting at the warehouse.””
My heart pounded.
“Who?””
She lowered the phone.
“The man on the recording is Daniel's business partner. His name is David Mitchell.””
I stared at her.
“Where is he?””
“He was taken into custody an hour ago.””
For the first time in days, I thought the nightmare might finally be ending.
Then Detective Bennett added one more thing.
“Mr. Carter, during questioning, Mitchell claimed Daniel wasn't the person who designed the entire scheme.””
I felt the room grow cold again.
“Who does he say was?””
May you like
The detective looked at Vanessa.
“Your wife.””
