Chapter 12 - The Woman in the Cardigan
For several seconds, nobody understood what they were seeing.
Then Oscar leaned closer.
The disguise was crude, but the cardigan was unmistakable.
His cardigan.
The one Diane had bought him for Christmas nearly fifteen years ago.
He looked down at the sweater he was wearing.
Same color. Same pattern.
Not the same garment.
“My old one disappeared when I moved,” he said.
Lauren gripped the back of a chair.
Jared paused the video on the woman’s face.
“Who is she?”
Lauren whispered, “I don’t know.”
Oscar looked at the hands.
Short nails. Thin gold ring. Small crescent-shaped scar near the left thumb.
He had seen that scar before.
At Christmas.
At birthdays.
Pouring wine at a backyard table.
“Evelyn,” he said.
Lauren shook her head immediately. “No.”
Oscar enlarged the image. “Your mother burned her hand on a pie plate four years ago. The scar is here.”
Lauren covered her mouth.
Jared replayed the clip.
The disguised woman repeated lines fed by Martin. She confirmed the loan. She confirmed the power of attorney. She confirmed Jared’s house could be pledged as additional collateral through Lauren’s authority.
Lauren whispered, “I never told her to do that.”
“Did you know she did it?” Jared asked.
“No.”
Oscar watched Lauren carefully.
This time he believed her.
Reese sent them a copy of the recording.
Jared called Evelyn.
No answer.
He called again.
No answer.
Lauren tried.
Straight to voicemail.
Then a text arrived from Evelyn.
STOP DIGGING. YOU’LL DESTROY THIS FAMILY.
Lauren read it aloud.
Oscar said, “The family was already damaged. Digging just shows us where.”
Jared stood. “We’re going to Highland Park.”
Lauren grabbed his arm. “She won’t tell you anything.”
“Then she can tell Dad.”
They drove north through sleet.
When they reached Evelyn’s stone house, the front gate stood open.
So did the garage.
Lauren ran inside.
“Mom?”
No answer.
The living room was empty.
So was the bedroom.
On the kitchen island sat a single envelope addressed to Lauren.
Inside was a note.
I’m sorry. Martin said there was one last way out.
May you like
Beneath it was a key.
And a storage-unit number.
