Chapter 9 - The Third Name
Robert Carter's recording lasted nineteen minutes.
Daniel listened to every second.
His father sounded tired, angry, and frightened.
He described discovering forged transfers totaling more than four million dollars.
He named Vanessa.
He named Graham.
Then he named a third person.
Monica Carter.
Daniel's mother.
Emily looked at him.
"Your mother?"
Daniel did not answer.
Monica had lived in Florida since Robert's death. She called every Sunday. She sent Lily birthday gifts and complained that Emily did not send enough photos.
Daniel had always described her as difficult, but loyal.
The recorder told a different story.
Robert's voice continued.
"Monica knew the transfers were happening. She said Vanessa deserved compensation for giving up years of her life to help the family. I told her theft is not compensation. She threatened to have me declared incompetent."
Daniel stopped the recording.
"I need a minute."
He walked into the hallway.
Emily followed.
"You don't have to do this alone."
He laughed bitterly. "Apparently I've been doing everything alone. I just didn't know it."
His phone rang.
Mom.
Daniel stared at the screen.
Emily whispered, "Don't answer unless Ruiz records it."
The detective nodded and started the system.
Daniel answered.
"Hi, Mom."
Monica's voice came fast.
"Daniel, thank God. Vanessa called me from the jail. That woman you married is destroying your sister."
Daniel looked at Emily.
"Emily didn't throw the vase."
Silence.
Then Monica said, "You hit your head. You don't know what happened."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"How do you know the vase hit me?"
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Monica recovered. "Vanessa told me."
"Vanessa also told me Dad was confused before he died."
"He was."
"I found his recording."
The line went dead.
Ruiz immediately called an officer in Florida.
But ten minutes later, they learned Monica had already left her condo.
Her car was gone.
Her phone had been turned off.
Emily felt a chill.
"Where would she go?"
Daniel looked toward the blue box.
Then he remembered something his mother had said years ago.
When things go wrong, family returns to where it started.
He stood up.
"My parents have an old lake house."
Ruiz asked, "Where?"
Daniel was already reaching for the map.
"Two hours north."
And in the same moment, Emily's phone rang.
The daycare.
She answered.
May you like
Her face drained of color.
"What do you mean Lily isn't there?"
