Chapter 17 - Emma Runs Toward the Truth
Maria rushed in behind her.
“I’m sorry. She heard the address on the police radio.”
Emma ran to me.
I held her so tightly she squeaked.
“You cannot do that again.”
“I wanted to see Mommy’s room.”
My anger disappeared.
The police allowed us ten minutes.
Emma walked slowly around Claire’s old bedroom.
She touched the windowsill.
The faded wallpaper.
A dusty photograph.
Then she pointed at a small crescent moon painted above the closet.
“Like my box.”
I stared.
Claire had used the same symbol.
I checked behind the closet panel.
Nothing.
Emma reached higher and pressed the painted moon.
A hidden compartment clicked open.
Inside was a second flash drive.
Claire had made more than one backup.
The video on it had been recorded the day before her crash.
Claire looked directly into the camera.
“Graham thinks I’m afraid of him.”
She smiled sadly.
“I am.”
Then her face hardened.
“But fear is not the same as surrender.”
She named Voss.
Named Hartley.
Explained the trust clause.
Explained the medication.
Explained the car repair.
Then she said:
“If anything happens to me, Adrian will blame himself. He always does that. Please tell him this part clearly.”
She leaned closer.
“Adrian, none of this is because you failed me.”
My chest cracked open.
Emma climbed into my lap.
Claire continued.
“But if you hide inside work after I’m gone, you might fail Emma.”
I stopped breathing.
It was as if Claire could see five years into the future.
“She needs you present, not perfect.”
I covered my face.
Emma pulled my hands down.
“Daddy.”
“I’m here.”
“You’re crying.”
“I know.”
“Is it bad?”
“No.”
She leaned against me.
On the video, Claire smiled one last time.
“Take care of our girl.”
The file ended.
Ortiz said the recording would strengthen the case.
I barely heard her.
Outside, rain tapped the windows.
For five years I had wanted Claire to tell me I was forgiven.
Instead, she had given me an instruction.
Be there.
My phone rang.
County jail.
Graham again.
I almost ignored it.
Then Ortiz said, “Answer.”
I did.
Graham’s voice sounded different.
No arrogance.
No laughter.
Just fear.
“Voss is going to make a deal.”
“He should.”
“If he talks, I’m finished.”
“Yes.”
A long silence.
May you like
Then Graham whispered:
“I know where Claire’s original hospital blood sample is.”
