Chapter 15 - The Dead Husband
“Penelope told me Daniel died in a quarry accident,” Rosalind said.
“He died on paper,” Sam replied. “That gave him freedom to move money without questions.”
The hidden camera footage showed Daniel supervising the chemical shipments while Vance handled threats. Penelope appeared briefly, handing over a folder. She was not frightened. She looked impatient.
Rosalind watched twice. Every tender moment she'd ever shared with her sister suddenly felt like something Penelope had borrowed to get closer to what she wanted.
They sent encrypted copies to Denise's legal team, a state investigator, and two newspapers. Sam arranged for the evidence to release publicly if his computer stopped checking in.
“Now we go to the attorney general,” Rosalind said.
Sam shook his head. “Local offices are compromised. We need a witness who can place Daniel inside the operation.”
“Penelope.”
“Or Evelyn,” Tobias said.
Before they could decide, an incoming call appeared on Vance's stolen phone. Penelope's name glowed on the screen.
Rosalind answered without speaking.
“Vance?” Penelope asked. “Daniel says the ledger's gone. What happened?”
Rosalind closed her eyes. “Hello, Penny.”
The silence on the line was delicious and terrible.
“Roz?” Penelope whispered.
“Surprised?”
“Garrett said—”
“Garrett watched me drown. You were holding his hand.”
Penelope's voice hardened. “You have no idea what this family took from me.”
“Then tell me.”
“Meet me at the flood-control station at midnight. Alone. I'll tell you where your mother is.”
Tobias shook his head furiously. Rosalind ignored him.
“And why should I believe you?”
“Because,” Penelope said, “if you don't come, Daniel will kill her before sunrise.”
The call ended. A second later a photograph arrived: Evelyn, older and bruised, seated in a metal chair beneath a fluorescent light.
May you like
Rosalind finally knew where her mother was.
And the clock had started.
