Chapter 7 - The Blue Box
Vanessa had been there.
The thread from her dress was tiny, but Emily recognized the fabric immediately.
Ruiz collected it as evidence.
Daniel stood inside the hidden compartment, staring at the empty shelf.
"She knew," he said.
Emily shook her head. "Maybe she only found it after the ambulance left."
Ruiz turned toward them. "If the box exists, she either has it or moved it. We need to find out where."
They did not have to wait long.
At 4:12 that afternoon, Daniel received a text from Vanessa.
STOP LETTING EMILY DESTROY THIS FAMILY.
A second message followed.
MEET ME ALONE. I HAVE SOMETHING DAD WANTED YOU TO SEE.
Daniel showed Ruiz.
The detective's expression hardened.
"You are not meeting her alone."
Vanessa chose a public park near the river.
Daniel wore a small recording device. Ruiz and two officers watched from an unmarked car.
Emily stayed with Lily at the hospital under protest.
Vanessa arrived in a long gray coat, her face pale but composed.
"You brought police into our father's house," she said.
Daniel stared at her.
"You kicked my daughter."
"I did not."
"You threw a vase at my wife."
"Emily threw it."
"Stop."
The force in his voice made her flinch.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Where is the blue box?"
Vanessa's face changed.
Only for a second.
It was enough.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Dad wrote that he had copies."
"Dad was confused before he died."
"He was not confused."
Vanessa looked past him toward the river.
"You always believed him over me."
Daniel laughed once, without humor.
"I believed you. That's the problem."
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"Emily did this. She came into our family and turned you against me."
"No. Lily did that. The second you put your foot on my child, you did that yourself."
Vanessa's expression went flat.
Then she said quietly, "You don't have the video."
Daniel stopped breathing for a moment.
Vanessa realized what she had said.
Too late.
Daniel's voice dropped.
"How do you know the video is missing?"
Sirens sounded behind them.
Vanessa turned.
Ruiz and the officers were already walking across the grass.
She backed away.
"This isn't over," she whispered.
Then she reached into her coat.
Every officer shouted at once.
"Hands! Show your hands!"
May you like
Vanessa froze.
Slowly, she pulled out a small blue metal key.
