Chapter 17 - The Roof Garage
Daniel ran.
Vanessa kicked off her heels and ran after him, lifting the front of her gown with both hands.
“Vanessa, stay inside!”
“No.”
They reached the service elevator with two security officers, Margaret, and Renee close behind.
The doors opened on the roof garage.
Cold night air cut through the wedding warmth still clinging to Vanessa’s skin.
Helen stood near a black sedan, the missing envelope in one hand.
“Don’t come closer,” she said.
Daniel stopped twenty feet away.
“You spent nine years hiding this.”
Helen’s face twisted. “I spent nine years surviving it.”
“Give me the letter.”
“You don’t understand what it says.”
“Then let me read it.”
Helen looked at Margaret. “Richard ordered Aaron to damage Emily’s car because he wanted to scare her. Aaron loosened the brake line, then panicked and told Edward. Edward tried to repair it before Emily drove home.”
Renee shook her head. “Aaron told me he never touched the car.”
“He lied because he loved her.”
Margaret’s voice trembled. “And Richard?”
“He knew the repair was incomplete. He let Emily leave anyway.”
Daniel’s fists tightened.
Helen raised the envelope. “This letter is Emily’s final statement. She wrote it after Edward warned her about the brake line.”
Vanessa stared. “Then why did she drive?”
“Because Aaron was waiting for her. She thought she could get to him before Richard’s men did.”
Renee whispered, “Oh, Emily.”
Helen’s eyes filled. “I found the letter after the crash. Richard told me if I released it, he would destroy my son.”
Daniel stepped forward. “He’s dead now.”
“Yes. But the people who helped him are not.”
A car engine roared behind them.
Headlights snapped on.
A dark SUV accelerated across the roof toward Helen.
Vanessa screamed, “MOVE!”
May you like
Daniel lunged.
And the SUV did not slow down.
