Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew the## Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew the Truth
I did Truth
I did not sleep that night.
At 12:14 AM, Detective Price called again and not sleep that night.
At 12:14 AM, Detective Price called again and told me that the person claiming to know Laura Bennett's whereabouts had requested a meeting.
Not with the police told me that the person claiming to know Laura Bennett's whereabouts had requested a meeting.
Not with the police.
With me.
"Absolutely not," I said.
Price seemed relieved by my.
With me.
"Absolutely not," I said.
Price seemed relieved by my answer.
"I agree that we shouldn't arrange an informal meeting. We need to verify the source first. answer.
"I agree that we shouldn't arrange an informal meeting. We need to verify the source first. If this person is genuinely Laura Bennett, we'll work through the appropriate channels to establish her If this person is genuinely Laura Bennett, we'll work through the appropriate channels to establish her identity and assess her safety.""
"Has she explained why she wants to speak with me?""
"She says she has information about identity and assess her safety.""
"Has she explained why she wants to speak with me?""
"She says she has information about Victor Sloane, Northbridge Solutions, and the financial records connected to Marcus Reed's company.""
I looked toward Chloe's bed.
Victor Sloane, Northbridge Solutions, and the financial records connected to Marcus Reed's company.""
I looked toward Chloe's bed.
"Does she know about my daughter?""
"She specifically mentioned Chloe Reed.""
My stomach tightened.
"Then I want this documented"Does she know about my daughter?""
"She specifically mentioned Chloe Reed.""
My stomach tightened.
"Then I want this documented as a potential threat to her safety.""
"It will as a potential threat to her safety.""
"It will be.""
Before ending the call, Price asked me not to contact the sender or attempt to locate Laura independently.
I promised I wouldn't be.""
Before ending the call, Price asked me not to contact the sender or attempt to locate Laura independently.
I promised I wouldn't.
At 12:37, I sat in the hospital cafeteria with a paper cup of coffee I had.
At 12:37, I sat in the hospital cafeteria with a paper cup of coffee I had no intention of drinking.
The building was quiet. The Thanksgiving crowds had thinned no intention of drinking.
The building was quiet. The Thanksgiving crowds had thinned, and the cleaning staff moved slowly through the corridors with carts of, and the cleaning staff moved slowly through the corridors with carts of supplies.
I thought about the last time Laura Bennett had spoken to me.
It had been four years earlier, in a small conference room with no windows.
She supplies.
I thought about the last time Laura Bennett had spoken to me.
It had been four years earlier, in a small conference room with no windows.
She was thirty-nine then, a bookkeeper with tired eyes and a habit of twisting a was thirty-nine then, a bookkeeper with tired eyes and a habit of twisting a silver ring around her finger whenever she became nervous.
She had come forward voluntarily after discovering that several consulting invoices did not match the work supposedly performed silver ring around her finger whenever she became nervous.
She had come forward voluntarily after discovering that several consulting invoices did not match the work supposedly performed.
She had provided records.
She had answered questions.
She had told us that David Mercer could explain.
She had provided records.
She had answered questions.
She had told us that David Mercer could explain the relationship between several companies involved in the financial network.
Then, shortly before trial, she stopped responding.
the relationship between several companies involved in the financial network.
Then, shortly before trial, she stopped responding.
Her apartment was empty. Her phone was disconnectedHer apartment was empty. Her phone was disconnected. Her employer said she had resigned.
We had followed the leads available to us, but she had not appeared as a witness, and the case had proceeded without. Her employer said she had resigned.
We had followed the leads available to us, but she had not appeared as a witness, and the case had proceeded without her testimony.
I had never known whether she had fled because she was afraid, because she had been paid to disappear, or because she had become involved in something she could her testimony.
I had never known whether she had fled because she was afraid, because she had been paid to disappear, or because she had become involved in something she could not escape.
Now someone was telling me she was alive.
And she wanted to speak with me.
At 1 not escape.
Now someone was telling me she was alive.
And she wanted to speak with me.
At 1:06 AM, Detective Price sent a message asking me to confirm that I had received the latest communication:06 AM, Detective Price sent a message asking me to confirm that I had received the latest communication. I acknowledged it and returned to Chloe's room.
She was awake.
"Mom, you look exhausted. I acknowledged it and returned to Chloe's room.
She was awake.
"Mom, you look exhausted.""
"I've had a long day.""
"Did something happen?""
I sat beside her bed.
"Someone has come forward.""
"I've had a long day.""
"Did something happen?""
I sat beside her bed.
"Someone has come forward claiming to know Laura Bennett.""
Chloe frowned.
"Who's Laura Bennett?""
"A woman who provided information during one of claiming to know Laura Bennett.""
Chloe frowned.
"Who's Laura Bennett?""
"A woman who provided information during one of my old federal cases. She disappeared from contact before trial.""
"Does this have something to do with Marcus?""
my old federal cases. She disappeared from contact before trial.""
"Does this have something to do with Marcus?""
"We don't know yet.""
Chloe studied my face.
"You're worried.""
"Yes"We don't know yet.""
Chloe studied my face.
"You're worried.""
"Yes.""
"About me?""
"Always.""
She reached for my hand.
"Mom, I don't want you to get hurt because of me.""
I squeezed her fingers.
"You.""
"About me?""
"Always.""
She reached for my hand.
"Mom, I don't want you to get hurt because of me.""
I squeezed her fingers.
"You are not responsible for what other people choose to do. Neither of us is going to make decisions out of are not responsible for what other people choose to do. Neither of us is going to make decisions out of guilt.""
She nodded, but I could see the fear beneath her composure.
At 1:42, Meredith arrived guilt.""
She nodded, but I could see the fear beneath her composure.
At 1:42, Meredith arrived at the hospital after receiving my message about the latest development.
She was still wearing the same charcoal at the hospital after receiving my message about the latest development.
She was still wearing the same charcoal suit, and she looked as though she had been awake for twenty hours suit, and she looked as though she had been awake for twenty hours.
"I've spoken with Detective Price," she said.
"He has asked that we refrain from.
"I've spoken with Detective Price," she said.
"He has asked that we refrain from communicating with the sender. That's the right decision.""
"Could Laura's information help Chloe communicating with the sender. That's the right decision.""
"Could Laura's information help Chloe?""
"It could. But we must not assume that a witness from an unrelated investigation can establish?""
"It could. But we must not assume that a witness from an unrelated investigation can establish what happened in Chloe's marriage.""
"Of course.""
Meredith pulled a chair beside us.
"Chloe what happened in Chloe's marriage.""
"Of course.""
Meredith pulled a chair beside us.
"Chloe, I also want to prepare you for something. If the company investigation, I also want to prepare you for something. If the company investigation becomes more serious, you may be asked about the records you reviewed.
That doesn't mean you're becomes more serious, you may be asked about the records you reviewed. That doesn't mean you're accused of wrongdoing. It means your knowledge may be relevant.""
Chloe nodded.
"I'll cooperate.""
"Through the accused of wrongdoing. It means your knowledge may be relevant.""
Chloe nodded.
"I'll cooperate.""
"Through the proper channels," Meredith reminded her.
"You don't need to prove your innocence to Marcus by arguing with proper channels," Meredith reminded her.
"You don't need to prove your innocence to Marcus by arguing with him. You don't need to convince Vanessa of anything. You simply need to preserve the him.
You don't need to convince Vanessa of anything. You simply need to preserve the facts and let the process work.""
After Meredith left, Chloe finally slept.
I remained beside her until the facts and let the process work.""
After Meredith left, Chloe finally slept.
I remained beside her until the first pale light of morning appeared beyond the window.
At 6:18 AM first pale light of morning appeared beyond the window.
At 6:18 AM, Detective Price called.
"We've made preliminary contact with a person who may be Laura Bennett. Her identity has not yet been independently confirmed, but, Detective Price called.
"We've made preliminary contact with a person who may be Laura Bennett. Her identity has not yet been independently confirmed, but the information she provided is consistent with details from the historical investigation.""
"Is she safe?""
"She says the information she provided is consistent with details from the historical investigation.""
"Is she safe?""
"She says she is. We're taking steps to verify that.""
"Does she know who sent the messages?""
" she is. We're taking steps to verify that.""
"Does she know who sent the messages?""
"She claims she can identify the person who has been communicating with you.""
I stood.
"Who?""
"SheShe claims she can identify the person who has been communicating with you.""
I stood.
"Who?""
"She hasn't provided a name yet. She says she'll speak to investigators after certain conditions are addressed.""
hasn't provided a name yet. She says she'll speak to investigators after certain conditions are addressed.""
"What conditions?""
"She wants assurance that her identity will be protected to the extent the law allows, and"What conditions?""
"She wants assurance that her identity will be protected to the extent the law allows, and she wants to know whether the historical records are still available.""
I closed my eyes.
" she wants to know whether the historical records are still available.""
I closed my eyes.
"Tell her I won't contact her privately. If she has information, I want her to provide it to theTell her I won't contact her privately. If she has information, I want her to provide it to the investigators.""
"That's what we've advised.""
At 7:03, Chloe's doctor confirmed that investigators.""
"That's what we've advised.""
At 7:03, Chloe's doctor confirmed that she could be discharged later that morning if her condition remained stable.
Meredith arranged for her to stay at my house while she could be discharged later that morning if her condition remained stable.
Meredith arranged for her to stay at my house while she recovered. She also coordinated with the police about the reported she recovered. She also coordinated with the police about the reported assault and the threatening messages.
By 8:11, Chloe was dressed in clean clothes, sitting in assault and the threatening messages.
By 8:11, Chloe was dressed in clean clothes, sitting in a wheelchair while a nurse reviewed her discharge instructions.
She looked exhausted, but her eyes a wheelchair while a nurse reviewed her discharge instructions.
She looked exhausted, but her eyes were clearer than they had been the previous morning.
"Are you ready to go home?"" I asked.
were clearer than they had been the previous morning.
"Are you ready to go home?"" I asked.
She nodded.
"Your home.""
"Of course.""
She hesitated.
"Mom,She nodded.
"Your home.""
"Of course.""
She hesitated.
"Mom, do you think Marcus will come looking for me?""
"If he does, we'll follow the safety plan Meredith and do you think Marcus will come looking for me?""
"If he does, we'll follow the safety plan Meredith and the police have arranged.""
Chloe looked down at her hands.
"I used to think home was the place the police have arranged.""
Chloe looked down at her hands.
"I used to think home was the place where nothing bad could happen to you.""
I crouched beside her wheelchair.
"Home should be where you where nothing bad could happen to you.""
I crouched beside her wheelchair.
"Home should be where you can rest without being afraid. We'll make sure you have that again.""
can rest without being afraid. We'll make sure you have that again.""
At 8:46, we arrived at my house.
I helped Chloe settle intoAt 8:46, we arrived at my house.
I helped Chloe settle into the guest bedroom, where the curtains were drawn and a fresh blanket lay across the bed. I had placed a the guest bedroom, where the curtains were drawn and a fresh blanket lay across the bed. I had placed a glass of water and her prescribed medication on the nightstand according to the hospital's instructions glass of water and her prescribed medication on the nightstand according to the hospital's instructions.
She looked around the room.
"Nothing has changed.""
"That's not entirely true," I said..
She looked around the room.
"Nothing has changed.""
"That's not entirely true," I said.
"I finally replaced the curtains you hated.""
She gave a weak laugh.
Then her expression became serious.
"Mom, "I finally replaced the curtains you hated.""
She gave a weak laugh.
Then her expression became serious.
"Mom, can I see the lockbox?""
I went to the hallway closet and brought it into the living room.
Chloe watched as can I see the lockbox?""
I went to the hallway closet and brought it into the living room.
Chloe watched as I opened it.
The badge lay inside beside my retired credentials and a small stack of old correspondence.
I opened it.
The badge lay inside beside my retired credentials and a small stack of old correspondence.
She touched the edge of the metal.
"I never knew you kept it.""
"I kept it because it matteredShe touched the edge of the metal.
"I never knew you kept it.""
"I kept it because it mattered to me. Not because I expected to use it again.""
"Do you miss being to me. Not because I expected to use it again.""
"Do you miss being a prosecutor?""
I considered the question.
"Sometimes I miss the work. I don't miss a prosecutor?""
I considered the question.
"Sometimes I miss the work. I don't miss the hours, the pressure, or the nights when I wondered whether I had understood the evidence correctly.""
She looked at the hours, the pressure, or the nights when I wondered whether I had understood the evidence correctly.""
She looked at the badge.
"Do you think you were good at it?""
"I tried to be fair the badge.
"Do you think you were good at it?""
"I tried to be fair. That's more important than being certain you're good.""
She nodded slowly.
Then she looked at me.
"That's what. That's more important than being certain you're good.""
She nodded slowly.
Then she looked at me.
"That's what I want. A fair chance to tell the truth.""
"You'll have one I want. A fair chance to tell the truth.""
"You'll have one.""
At 9:32, my doorbell rang.
I checked the security camera before opening.""
At 9:32, my doorbell rang.
I checked the security camera before opening it.
Two uniformed officers stood on the porch.
Detective Price had sent them to inform me it.
Two uniformed officers stood on the porch.
Detective Price had sent them to inform me that Laura Bennett had agreed to provide a statement through the appropriate investigative process. They also wanted to confirm that that Laura Bennett had agreed to provide a statement through the appropriate investigative process. They also wanted to confirm that I had received no further threats.
I invited them into the living room.
One officer asked Chloe whether I had received no further threats.
I invited them into the living room.
One officer asked Chloe whether she felt safe at the house. She said she did, and he documented her response.
After they left she felt safe at the house. She said she did, and he documented her response.
After they left, Chloe sat beside me on the sofa.
"Do you think Laura knows who hurt me, Chloe sat beside me on the sofa.
"Do you think Laura knows who hurt me?""
"She may know something about the financial allegations. We cannot assume she knows what happened?""
"She may know something about the financial allegations. We cannot assume she knows what happened in Marcus's house.""
Chloe nodded.
"Then what does she want from you?""
I looked toward the lockbox in Marcus's house.""
Chloe nodded.
"Then what does she want from you?""
I looked toward the lockbox.
"I don't know.""
At 10:17, my phone rang.
Detective Price.
".
"I don't know.""
At 10:17, my phone rang.
Detective Price.
"Mrs. Hayes, Laura Bennett has agreed to speak with investigators today. She has also provided an initial statement concerning theMrs.
Hayes, Laura Bennett has agreed to speak with investigators today. She has also provided an initial statement concerning the historical financial records.""
"What did she say?""
"She claims that David Mercer continued working with people connected to the old historical financial records.""
"What did she say?""
"She claims that David Mercer continued working with people connected to the old financial network after the Sloane prosecution. She also claims that a company involved in the network was later used financial network after the Sloane prosecution. She also claims that a company involved in the network was later used to route payments through legitimate businesses.""
I sat very still.
"Northbridge?""
"She mentioned a to route payments through legitimate businesses.""
I sat very still.
"Northbridge?""
"She mentioned a company with a similar name. We haven't confirmed that it's the same entity.""
"What about company with a similar name. We haven't confirmed that it's the same entity.""
"What about Marcus?""
"She says she recognizes his name Marcus?""
"She says she recognizes his name from documents she saw several years ago. We are working to determine the context.""
I looked at Chloe.
She had gone pale.
from documents she saw several years ago. We are working to determine the context.""
I looked at Chloe.
She had gone pale.
"Does Laura say Marcus was involved in the original scheme?""
"No. We do not have that conclusion.""Does Laura say Marcus was involved in the original scheme?""
"No. We do not have that conclusion. Her statement raises questions, and investigators will need to corroborate it.""
"Understood.""
Price continued Her statement raises questions, and investigators will need to corroborate it.""
"Understood.""
Price continued.
"There's one more thing. Laura says the threatening messages may be connected to someone who has.
"There's one more thing. Laura says the threatening messages may be connected to someone who has been trying to locate her for years.""
"Who?""
"She has given us a name, been trying to locate her for years.""
"Who?""
"She has given us a name, but we're still verifying the information.""
I gripped the phone.
"Detective, is my daughter in immediate danger but we're still verifying the information.""
I gripped the phone.
"Detective, is my daughter in immediate danger?""
"We don't have enough information to assess that conclusively. Please continue following the safety plan, and contact emergency services?""
"We don't have enough information to assess that conclusively. Please continue following the safety plan, and contact emergency services if you receive a direct threat or observe suspicious activity.""
After we ended the call, Chloe stared at me.
if you receive a direct threat or observe suspicious activity.""
After we ended the call, Chloe stared at me.
"What did he say?""
I told her.
She was quiet for a long time.
Then she"What did he say?""
I told her.
She was quiet for a long time.
Then she asked, "Mom, what if this was never just about the money?""
I looked toward the window, where the little American asked, "Mom, what if this was never just about the money?""
I looked toward the window, where the little American flag on my porch moved in the cold wind.
"Then we need to understand what else is flag on my porch moved in the cold wind.
"Then we need to understand what else is involved.""
At 11:03, another message appeared on my phone.
It contained involved.""
At 11:03, another message appeared on my phone.
It contained no photograph this time.
Only a name.
*SYLVIA REED.*
Underneath it no photograph this time.
Only a name.
*SYLVIA REED.*
Underneath it was a sentence.
**Ask your daughter-in-law's mother-in-law what she did for David Mercer before Marcus was was a sentence.
*Ask your daughter-in-law's mother-in-law what she did for David Mercer before Marcus was promoted.*
I read it twice.
Then I handed the phone to Meredith, promoted.**
I read it twice.
Then I handed the phone to Meredith, who had returned to check on Chloe.
She examined the message and immediately contacted Detective Price.
Chloe who had returned to check on Chloe.
She examined the message and immediately contacted Detective Price.
Chloe stared at the screen.
"Sylvia?""
"Apparently," I said.
"But we don't know what the message stared at the screen.
"Sylvia?""
"Apparently," I said.
"But we don't know what the message means.""
Chloe shook her head.
"Sylvia always said Marcus owed his career to hard work. She said his promotion means.""
Chloe shook her head.
"Sylvia always said Marcus owed his career to hard work. She said his promotion was proof that the family deserved respect.""
"Did she ever mention David Mercer?""
"Never.""
I saved was proof that the family deserved respect.""
"Did she ever mention David Mercer?""
"Never.""
I saved the message and waited for the police to respond.
At 11:41, Detective Price called back.
"We've confirmed the message and waited for the police to respond.
At 11:41, Detective Price called back.
"We've confirmed that Sylvia Reed had a documented professional association with a business connected to David Mercer several years that Sylvia Reed had a documented professional association with a business connected to David Mercer several years ago. That does not establish wrongdoing, but it is relevant enough to investigate.""
Chloe covered her mouth.
"What kind ago. That does not establish wrongdoing, but it is relevant enough to investigate.""
Chloe covered her mouth.
"What kind of association?"" I asked.
"An administrative role involving vendor contracts of association?"" I asked.
"An administrative role involving vendor contracts. We're still reviewing the records.""
I looked at my daughter.
Her husband. We're still reviewing the records.""
I looked at my daughter.
Her husband had abandoned her in the cold.
His mother had helped pressure her into signing a declaration.
And now Sylvia's had abandoned her in the cold.
His mother had helped pressure her into signing a declaration.
And now Sylvia's name appeared in historical records connected to the same network that might have touched Marcus's company.
At noon, the doorbell rang again.
name appeared in historical records connected to the same network that might have touched Marcus's company.
At noon, the doorbell rang again.
This time, the security camera showed a woman standing on my porch.
She wore a dark coat and a gray scarf. Her hair wasThis time, the security camera showed a woman standing on my porch.
She wore a dark coat and a gray scarf. Her hair was shorter than it had been in the courthouse photograph I remembered, and there were deep lines around her eyes.
shorter than it had been in the courthouse photograph I remembered, and there were deep lines around her eyes.
But I recognized her.
Laura Bennett.
She held a manila envelope against her chest.
Before I could move,But I recognized her.
Laura Bennett.
She held a manila envelope against her chest.
Before I could move, she looked directly into the camera.
"Eleanor," she said, her voice trembling.
"I know you told the she looked directly into the camera.
"Eleanor," she said, her voice trembling.
"I know you told the police not to let me contact you privately. I'm not here to ask you to break that rule.""
She lifted the police not to let me contact you privately. I'm not here to ask you to break that rule.""
She lifted the envelope.
"I'm here because I finally found the document that proves why I disappeared.""
Then she glanced over her envelope.
"I'm here because I finally found the document that proves why I disappeared.""
Then she glanced over her shoulder toward the street.
"And because the man who threatened your daughter knows I'm here.""
May you like
shoulder toward the street.
"And because the man who threatened your daughter knows I'm here.""
