Chapter 15 - The Confession Daniel Wanted
Daniel did not want money.
He wanted a confession.
Not his own.
Michael’s.
The live video showed Noah tied to a chair inside what looked like an underground room.
Daniel smiled into the camera.
“Tell Lauren what you did with Anthony’s truck.”
Michael stared at the phone.
“She already knows.”
“Not all of it.”
Lauren turned.
Michael’s face changed.
Daniel laughed.
“There it is.”
Nolan said quietly, “Michael, whatever he’s holding over you, now is the time.”
Michael swallowed.
“I drove Anthony’s truck into the quarry.”
Lauren frowned. “We know.”
“I wasn’t alone.”
Robert closed his eyes.
Lauren looked at him.
“No.”
Michael continued.
“Dad helped me.”
Hannah stared at Robert.
Daniel’s voice came through the phone.
“And?”
Michael’s hands shook.
“When we pushed the truck into the water, Anthony was still inside.”
Lauren felt sick.
“What?”
Michael looked at her.
“I thought he was dead.”
“You thought?”
“He moved.”
Hannah made a broken sound.
Michael’s eyes filled with tears.
“I heard him hit the window.”
Lauren stepped backward.
“You drowned him.”
Robert spoke for the first time.
“I did.”
Everyone turned.
Robert’s voice cracked.
“Michael wanted to pull him out. I stopped him.”
Margaret whispered his name.
Robert continued.
“I was afraid Anthony would tell police Daniel hit him. I thought I could save both my sons.”
Hannah’s face twisted with disgust.
“You killed a man to save your sons, and then you let Daniel keep me prisoner.”
Robert looked broken.
“Yes.”
Daniel’s laughter came through the phone.
“Beautiful family moment.”
Nolan crouched beside the phone.
“You got your confession. Where’s Noah?”
“Not yet.”
“What else?”
“I want Hannah to say what she did.”
Hannah froze.
Lauren turned to her.
“Hannah?”
Daniel’s voice sharpened.
“Tell them why Marcus Lane died.”
Hannah went white.
“No.”
“Hannah,” Lauren whispered, “what is he talking about?”
Tears rolled down Hannah’s face.
“I called Marcus.”
Nolan stared.
“When?”
“Eight years ago. From Daniel’s basement. I stole his phone.”
“That doesn’t make Marcus’s death your fault.”
Hannah shook her head.
“I told Marcus to come alone.”
Daniel laughed.
“And he did.”
The live video suddenly shifted.
For one second, the camera showed the room behind Noah.
Aaron leaned closer.
“I know where that is.”
Nolan looked at him.
“Where?”
Aaron pointed toward the quarry lake.
May you like
“Under the old pump house.”
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