Chapter 16 - Thomas Bennett’s Last Recording
They played the recording in the hidden office.
Claire sat in one corner.
Patricia refused to sit at all.
The file was dated forty-seven minutes before Thomas’s crash.
His voice sounded exhausted.
This is Thomas Bennett. I’m recording this because I no longer trust what will be left behind if something happens to me.
Emily’s throat tightened.
Thomas continued.
Claire confronted me tonight. She believes I favor Emily. I failed both girls by allowing money to become the language of this family.
Claire looked down.
I told Claire I would not pay another gambling debt. I told Patricia I was filing for divorce. They are both angry.
A pause.
Then:
But anger is not the thing I fear most.
Patricia moved toward the recorder.
Emily stopped her.
Thomas’s voice filled the room.
Patricia told me tonight that Victor Sloane did not push Emily at Harbor House. She did.
Patricia made a sound like she had been struck.
Claire stared at her mother.
Thomas continued.
She says it was an accident. I believe that part. What I cannot forgive is twenty years of lies after it.
Emily’s eyes burned.
The recording continued.
Claire has spent her life thinking she failed to protect Emily. Patricia encouraged that guilt because it kept Claire loyal.
Claire began sobbing.
Thomas’s voice softened.
If Claire ever hears this: you were a child. You were not responsible for what happened to your sister.
Claire pressed both hands over her mouth.
Then came the last section.
Tonight, Claire did something to my car.
Everyone froze.
I saw her near the inspection pit. I checked the brake fluid and found nothing obvious. I am taking Patricia’s car instead.
Emily’s heart stopped.
Patricia’s face went blank.
Thomas said:
My car is staying here.
The recording ended.
For several seconds, no one moved.
Emily whispered, “Dad didn’t drive his car.”
Claire looked up.
Patricia backed toward the door.
Emily turned.
“Whose car crashed?”
Patricia shook her head.
“No.”
Claire stood.
“Mom.”
Patricia reached for the door.
Emily blocked it.
“Whose car did Dad take?”
Patricia’s lips trembled.
“My car.”
Claire stared at her.
“But I didn’t touch your car.”
“No,” Patricia whispered.
Emily felt the answer before it came.
Marcus had told them the brake line was damaged.
Claire had admitted damaging Thomas’s car.
But Thomas had switched vehicles.
Which meant someone else had damaged Patricia’s car.
Emily’s voice was barely audible.
“Who cut the brakes on yours?”
Patricia closed her eyes.
May you like
And for the first time in eight years, she told the whole truth.
“I did.”
