Chapter 8 - The Voice in the Recording
Claire's father, Thomas Bennett, had been buried four years earlier. She'd identified his watch at the hospital. She'd signed the forms because the remains were too badly damaged for an open-casket funeral. She had listened to the minister say ashes to ashes and believed she had no more questions left to ask.
Now she listened to the message three times.
"Pumpkin," the voice repeated. "If this reaches you, I didn't die in that crash."
Detective Alvarez watched carefully. "Do you know when it was recorded?"
"No. It's his voice."
"Voices can be altered. We need the original file."
"Then find it."
Alvarez didn't flinch. "We will try. Right now, I need to get you out."
The bridal suite door opened. Adrian stood there holding a jacket over his arm, smiling as if he'd walked in on an ordinary family disagreement.
"Claire, sweetheart. Your sister is poisoning you against me."
"You were married to Hannah."
"I should have told you."
"You tried to make me sign away my father's land."
His smile disappeared. "You don't understand the business."
"Then explain why my initials are already on the transfer."
"Our lawyers prepared a draft."
Alvarez stepped between them. "Mr. Vale, you can discuss it with an attorney."
Adrian lowered his voice. "Claire, don't destroy us because you're upset about dinner."
She looked at the stained satin pooled around her feet. "Dinner wasn't the problem. You were."
He moved aside, but as she passed, he said something barely audible.
May you like
"Ask Sophie why she waited until today."
On the stairs, Claire received a new message from Mara: YOUR SISTER WASN'T THE ONLY PERSON WHO HIRED LUCY. I DID, TOO. AND I'M HANNAH'S SISTER.
