Chapter 9: The Betrayal Came From Inside My Own Company
Robert waited## Chapter 9: The Betrayal Came From Inside My Own Company
Robert waited until Linda's car had disappeared from the driveway before speaking.
“Marcus, I need you to think carefully until Linda's car had disappeared from the driveway before speaking.
“Marcus, I need you to think carefully. Who in your company would have had access to your medical information, financial records, and personal schedule?””
I didn't hesitate.
“Gregory.””
“Besides. Who in your company would have had access to your medical information, financial records, and personal schedule?””
I didn't hesitate.
“Gregory.””
“Besides Gregory.””
I looked toward the window.
“My operations director, Thomas Reed. My accountant, Peter Lawson. And possibly my executive assistant, Rachel.””
Robert wrote down the names.
“Who knew about your insurance policy?””
“Gregory, Peter, and Linda.””
Gregory.””
I looked toward the window.
“My operations director, Thomas Reed. My accountant, Peter Lawson. And possibly my executive assistant, Rachel.””
Robert wrote down the names.
“Who knew about your insurance policy?””
“Gregory, Peter, and Linda.””
“Who knew you were planning to visit Jasmine on the night of the accident?””
I stopped.
“Gregory knew.””
“Anyone else?””
I thought about it.
Then something occurred to me.
Rachel had called me that evening.
She had asked whether I was still planning to drive to Jasmine's apartment.
I had told her yes.
She had laughed and said, “You really do look after that girl like she's your own.””
At the time, it had seemed“Who knew you were planning to visit Jasmine on the night of the accident?””
I stopped.
“Gregory knew.””
“Anyone else?””
I thought about it.
Then something occurred to me.
Rachel had called me that evening.
She had asked whether I was still planning to drive to Jasmine's apartment.
I had told her yes.
She had laughed and said, “You really do look after that girl like she's your own.””
At the time, it had seemed like an ordinary conversation.
Now it felt different.
“Rachel knew.””
Robert looked up.
“Your assistant?””
“Yes.””
“How long has she worked for you?””
“Eight years.””
“Does she have access to your calendar?””
“Everything.””
Robert wrote another note.
“Then I want to speak with her.””
I nodded.
But before he could make the call, my phone rang.
It was Daniel.
“Marcus, are you sitting down?””
I looked at Robert.
like an ordinary conversation.
Now it felt different.
“Rachel knew.””
Robert looked up.
“Your assistant?””
“Yes.””
“How long has she worked for you?””
“Eight years.””
“Does she have access to your calendar?””
“Everything.””
Robert wrote another note.
“Then I want to speak with her.””
I nodded.
But before he could make the call, my phone rang.
It was Daniel.
“Marcus, are you sitting down?””
I looked at Robert.
“Yes. What's wrong?””
“I received something from the rehabilitation clinic's administration. Someone submitted a request to change your emergency contact and medical decision-maker.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
“Linda.””
“Did they approve it?””
“No. The clinic flagged it because your existing records list you as fully capable of making your own decisions.””
I closed my eyes.
“Thank you for telling me.””
Daniel hes“Yes. What's wrong?””
“I received something from the rehabilitation clinic's administration. Someone submitted a request to change your emergency contact and medical decision-maker.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
“Linda.””
“Did they approve it?””
“No. The clinic flagged it because your existing records list you as fully capable of making your own decisions.””
I closed my eyes.
“Thank you for telling me.””
Daniel hesitated.
“Marcus, I also need to tell you something about the night of the accident.””
I straightened.
“What?””
“I was working at the rehabilitation hospital when you were admitted. I wasn't your therapist yet, but I remember the incident.””
“What do you remember?””
“There was a woman who came to the hospital asking about your condition. She wasn't Linda.””
“Who?””
“Rachel.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“My assistant?””
“Yes. Sheitated.
“Marcus, I also need to tell you something about the night of the accident.””
I straightened.
“What?””
“I was working at the rehabilitation hospital when you were admitted. I wasn't your therapist yet, but I remember the incident.””
“What do you remember?””
“There was a woman who came to the hospital asking about your condition. She wasn't Linda.””
“Who?””
“Rachel.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“My assistant?””
“Yes. She asked whether you had regained consciousness. Then she spoke privately with someone from the emergency department.””
“Did you hear what they said?””
“Not everything. But I remember her asking whether your medical records would show that you were confused when you arrived.””
I looked at Robert.
He was already taking notes.
“Daniel, are you certain?””
“I remember her face. She was carrying a company folder with your construction business logo.””
I thanked him and ended the call.
Robert immediately contacted his asked whether you had regained consciousness. Then she spoke privately with someone from the emergency department.””
“Did you hear what they said?””
“Not everything. But I remember her asking whether your medical records would show that you were confused when you arrived.””
I looked at Robert.
He was already taking notes.
“Daniel, are you certain?””
“I remember her face. She was carrying a company folder with your construction business logo.””
I thanked him and ended the call.
Robert immediately contacted his investigator.
Within an hour, we had a preliminary picture of what had been happening.
Rachel had accessed my digital calendar shortly before the accident.
She had downloaded copies of my insurance documents.
She had also requested copies of several company financial reports.
But the most disturbing discovery came from an email exchange between Rachel and Gregory.
The subject line was:
CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENT.
Gregory had written:
*Once Marcus is unavailable, we can move forward without waiting for his approval investigator.
Within an hour, we had a preliminary picture of what had been happening.
Rachel had accessed my digital calendar shortly before the accident.
She had downloaded copies of my insurance documents.
She had also requested copies of several company financial reports.
But the most disturbing discovery came from an email exchange between Rachel and Gregory.
The subject line was:
CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENT.
Gregory had written:
Once Marcus is unavailable, we can move forward without waiting for his approval.
Rachel had replied:
Linda is concerned about the timing. Jasmine wants the money available immediately.
Gregory's response was short.
Then the medical documents need to be ready before the end of the month.
I read the exchange twice.
“Robert, what exactly does unavailable mean?””
He leaned back.
“It could mean several things. But given the surrounding correspondence, investigators will want to determine whether they were discussing a planned transfer of control over your company.””
I looked at the screen.
“Rachel.*
Rachel had replied:
Linda is concerned about the timing. Jasmine wants the money available immediately.
Gregory's response was short.
Then the medical documents need to be ready before the end of the month.
I read the exchange twice.
“Robert, what exactly does unavailable mean?””
He leaned back.
“It could mean several things. But given the surrounding correspondence, investigators will want to determine whether they were discussing a planned transfer of control over your company.””
I looked at the screen.
“Rachel was supposed to protect my business.””
“And now we have evidence suggesting she may have helped someone misuse it.””
I shook my head.
“I trusted her with everything.””
Robert closed the email.
“Marcus, trust is not evidence. Neither is betrayal. We need to establish what she actually did.””
He made another call.
This time, he contacted the company's board chair.
I had appointed three independent directors when the company expanded five years earlier.
They had no was supposed to protect my business.””
“And now we have evidence suggesting she may have helped someone misuse it.””
I shook my head.
“I trusted her with everything.””
Robert closed the email.
“Marcus, trust is not evidence. Neither is betrayal. We need to establish what she actually did.””
He made another call.
This time, he contacted the company's board chair.
I had appointed three independent directors when the company expanded five years earlier.
They had no family connection to Linda or Jasmine.
Robert explained that there were serious concerns about unauthorized transactions and possible misuse of corporate authority.
The board agreed to an emergency meeting the following morning.
I intended to attend.
At eight the next day, Daniel arrived for my rehabilitation session.
He noticed the expression on my face.
“Rough night?””
“Something like that.””
He checked my legs.
“Then let's give you something positive to focus on.””
We spent forty minutes family connection to Linda or Jasmine.
Robert explained that there were serious concerns about unauthorized transactions and possible misuse of corporate authority.
The board agreed to an emergency meeting the following morning.
I intended to attend.
At eight the next day, Daniel arrived for my rehabilitation session.
He noticed the expression on my face.
“Rough night?””
“Something like that.””
He checked my legs.
“Then let's give you something positive to focus on.””
We spent forty minutes working on balance.
I managed to stand without holding the parallel bars for almost a minute.
Then Daniel positioned a walking support in front of me.
“Ready to try again?””
I nodded.
My legs trembled.
I took one step.
Then another.
This time, I managed three.
Daniel smiled.
“That's the best you've done.””
I looked down at my feet.
Three steps.
Three small movements that meant more to me than any construction contract I had ever signed.
“Can we try four working on balance.
I managed to stand without holding the parallel bars for almost a minute.
Then Daniel positioned a walking support in front of me.
“Ready to try again?””
I nodded.
My legs trembled.
I took one step.
Then another.
This time, I managed three.
Daniel smiled.
“That's the best you've done.””
I looked down at my feet.
Three steps.
Three small movements that meant more to me than any construction contract I had ever signed.
“Can we try four?””
“Not today.””
“Come on.””
“Marcus, you know the rules.””
I laughed.
“Fine.””
He helped me sit.
Then he handed me a bottle of water.
“You're getting stronger.””
I looked at him.
“Daniel, do you think I'll ever walk normally again?””
He considered the question.
“I think you have a real chance of regaining significant mobility. But I don't want to promise you something I can't guarantee.””
“Fair enough.””
He paused.
?””
“Not today.””
“Come on.””
“Marcus, you know the rules.””
I laughed.
“Fine.””
He helped me sit.
Then he handed me a bottle of water.
“You're getting stronger.””
I looked at him.
“Daniel, do you think I'll ever walk normally again?””
He considered the question.
“I think you have a real chance of regaining significant mobility. But I don't want to promise you something I can't guarantee.””
“Fair enough.””
He paused.
“One more thing. You should know that Linda called the clinic again this morning.””
I frowned.
“What did she want?””
“She wanted to know whether your recovery could be reversed if you stopped therapy.””
I stared at him.
“Why would she ask that?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know.””
I looked down at my legs.
For six months, I had been fighting to regain control of my body.
And somewhere along the way, my wife and stepdaughter had apparently been fighting to make sure I never did.
At ten, Robert picked me up for“One more thing. You should know that Linda called the clinic again this morning.””
I frowned.
“What did she want?””
“She wanted to know whether your recovery could be reversed if you stopped therapy.””
I stared at him.
“Why would she ask that?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know.””
I looked down at my legs.
For six months, I had been fighting to regain control of my body.
And somewhere along the way, my wife and stepdaughter had apparently been fighting to make sure I never did.
At ten, Robert picked me up for the board meeting.
The company's headquarters stood in a glass office building overlooking downtown Columbus.
I hadn't been there since the accident.
As we entered the lobby, several employees turned toward me.
Some looked surprised.
Others looked uncomfortable.
My receptionist, Angela, hurried over.
“Mr. Hale!””
She smiled warmly.
“It's wonderful to see you.””
“It's good to see you too, Angela.””
She walked beside my wheelchair toward the elevator.
“Everyone has the board meeting.
The company's headquarters stood in a glass office building overlooking downtown Columbus.
I hadn't been there since the accident.
As we entered the lobby, several employees turned toward me.
Some looked surprised.
Others looked uncomfortable.
My receptionist, Angela, hurried over.
“Mr. Hale!””
She smiled warmly.
“It's wonderful to see you.””
“It's good to see you too, Angela.””
She walked beside my wheelchair toward the elevator.
“Everyone has been asking about you.””
I smiled.
“Hopefully, they've been working while I've been away.””
She laughed.
Then her expression became serious.
“There's something you should know.””
“What?””
“Rachel has been telling people you're unlikely to return.””
I looked at her.
“What exactly has she said?””
Angela hesitated.
“She told several department heads that the board would soon appoint Gregory as permanent chief executive because you weren't capable of running the company anymore.””
I exchanged a been asking about you.””
I smiled.
“Hopefully, they've been working while I've been away.””
She laughed.
Then her expression became serious.
“There's something you should know.””
“What?””
“Rachel has been telling people you're unlikely to return.””
I looked at her.
“What exactly has she said?””
Angela hesitated.
“She told several department heads that the board would soon appoint Gregory as permanent chief executive because you weren't capable of running the company anymore.””
I exchanged a glance with Robert.
“Did she say anything else?””
Angela lowered her voice.
“She also told people that Linda had already agreed to sell your controlling interest.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Thank you for telling me.””
The elevator doors opened.
When we entered the boardroom, Gregory wasn't there.
Rachel was.
She sat at the far end of the table, wearing a navy business suit.
When she saw me, her face drained of color.
“Marcus?””
I looked at her.
“Good morning, Rachel.””
She stood awkwardly.
“I glance with Robert.
“Did she say anything else?””
Angela lowered her voice.
“She also told people that Linda had already agreed to sell your controlling interest.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Thank you for telling me.””
The elevator doors opened.
When we entered the boardroom, Gregory wasn't there.
Rachel was.
She sat at the far end of the table, wearing a navy business suit.
When she saw me, her face drained of color.
“Marcus?””
I looked at her.
“Good morning, Rachel.””
She stood awkwardly.
“I didn't know you were coming.””
“That's usually how surprises work.””
Nobody laughed.
The board chair, David Peterson, stood.
“Marcus, it's good to have you back.””
I nodded.
“Thank you, David.””
He introduced me to the outside counsel who had been reviewing the company's financial activity.
Then he began the meeting.
“Over the past several weeks, we've identified irregular transactions involving company reserve funds. We've also received concerns about unauthorized access to didn't know you were coming.””
“That's usually how surprises work.””
Nobody laughed.
The board chair, David Peterson, stood.
“Marcus, it's good to have you back.””
I nodded.
“Thank you, David.””
He introduced me to the outside counsel who had been reviewing the company's financial activity.
Then he began the meeting.
“Over the past several weeks, we've identified irregular transactions involving company reserve funds. We've also received concerns about unauthorized access to confidential records.””
Rachel shifted in her chair.
David continued.
“We're conducting an internal review, and until that review is complete, certain executive permissions have been suspended.””
Rachel immediately spoke.
“That's completely unnecessary.””
David looked at her.
“Ms. Collins, you'll have an opportunity to respond.””
She turned toward me.
“Marcus, I hope you understand that I've been doing everything possible to keep this company functioning.””
I looked at her.
“Then you'll confidential records.””
Rachel shifted in her chair.
David continued.
“We're conducting an internal review, and until that review is complete, certain executive permissions have been suspended.””
Rachel immediately spoke.
“That's completely unnecessary.””
David looked at her.
“Ms. Collins, you'll have an opportunity to respond.””
She turned toward me.
“Marcus, I hope you understand that I've been doing everything possible to keep this company functioning.””
I looked at her.
“Then you'll have no trouble explaining the transfers.””
Her face tightened.
“What transfers?””
Robert placed several printed statements on the table.
“Approximately $126,000 was moved from corporate reserve accounts over a five-month period.””
Rachel shook her head.
“Those were authorized operational expenses.””
“By whom?””
“Gregory.””
“Under whose authority?””
She looked at me.
I didn't speak.
David leaned forward.
“Rachel, did Marcus authorize these payments?””
She hes have no trouble explaining the transfers.””
Her face tightened.
“What transfers?””
Robert placed several printed statements on the table.
“Approximately $126,000 was moved from corporate reserve accounts over a five-month period.””
Rachel shook her head.
“Those were authorized operational expenses.””
“By whom?””
“Gregory.””
“Under whose authority?””
She looked at me.
I didn't speak.
David leaned forward.
“Rachel, did Marcus authorize these payments?””
She hesitated.
“Not directly.””
Robert opened another document.
“Did you download his insurance records and personal medical documents?””
Rachel's expression changed.
“I was asked to coordinate paperwork.””
“By whom?””
“Linda.””
“And did you provide those records to Gregory Mills?””
Silence.
David folded his hands.
“Rachel, this is a serious matter.””
She suddenly became defensive.
“You're all acting as if I did something terrible. I was trying to protect the company!””
I stared at her.
“From whatitated.
“Not directly.””
Robert opened another document.
“Did you download his insurance records and personal medical documents?””
Rachel's expression changed.
“I was asked to coordinate paperwork.””
“By whom?””
“Linda.””
“And did you provide those records to Gregory Mills?””
Silence.
David folded his hands.
“Rachel, this is a serious matter.””
She suddenly became defensive.
“You're all acting as if I did something terrible. I was trying to protect the company!””
I stared at her.
“From what?””
“From uncertainty.””
“I'm the owner of this company.””
“You were in the hospital!””
“And?””
“You couldn't make decisions!””
I looked at her for several seconds.
“Did you ever ask me?””
She lowered her eyes.
“No.””
“Did you ever ask my doctors whether I was capable of making decisions?””
“No.””
“Then why did you decide?””
She began crying.
“Because Gregory said it was necessary.””
There it was.
Another person who?””
“From uncertainty.””
“I'm the owner of this company.””
“You were in the hospital!””
“And?””
“You couldn't make decisions!””
I looked at her for several seconds.
“Did you ever ask me?””
She lowered her eyes.
“No.””
“Did you ever ask my doctors whether I was capable of making decisions?””
“No.””
“Then why did you decide?””
She began crying.
“Because Gregory said it was necessary.””
There it was.
Another person who had trusted Gregory more than me.
I leaned back.
“Rachel, did you know Jasmine and Gregory were involved?””
She looked at me sharply.
“What?””
“Did you know they were having a relationship?””
She said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“Yes.””
“And did you know Gregory was driving the car on the night of the accident?””
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.””
David stood.
“Rachel, I think we need to suspend this meeting and have our attorneys review your statement.””
But I wasn't finished.
“One last question.””
She looked at had trusted Gregory more than me.
I leaned back.
“Rachel, did you know Jasmine and Gregory were involved?””
She looked at me sharply.
“What?””
“Did you know they were having a relationship?””
She said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“Yes.””
“And did you know Gregory was driving the car on the night of the accident?””
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.””
David stood.
“Rachel, I think we need to suspend this meeting and have our attorneys review your statement.””
But I wasn't finished.
“One last question.””
She looked at me.
“Did you know they were planning to obtain control of my business before the accident?””
Rachel started shaking her head.
“No.””
“Then why did you write that email about moving forward once I was unavailable?””
She looked at Robert's papers.
Then she covered her mouth.
“I didn't mean it that way.””
“How did you mean it?””
She began crying.
“I thought you were going to be gone for a few months. Gregory told me the insurance arrangement would cover the business me.
“Did you know they were planning to obtain control of my business before the accident?””
Rachel started shaking her head.
“No.””
“Then why did you write that email about moving forward once I was unavailable?””
She looked at Robert's papers.
Then she covered her mouth.
“I didn't mean it that way.””
“How did you mean it?””
She began crying.
“I thought you were going to be gone for a few months. Gregory told me the insurance arrangement would cover the business transition. He said you wouldn't be able to return.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
She looked directly at me.
Then she said something that made the entire boardroom go silent.
“Because Gregory told us that your accident wasn't supposed to leave you alive.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
David slowly sat down.
Robert stood immediately.
“Rachel, I need you to repeat that.””
She looked terrified.
“Gregory said the plan was for Marcus to die in the accident.””
Nobody transition. He said you wouldn't be able to return.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
She looked directly at me.
Then she said something that made the entire boardroom go silent.
“Because Gregory told us that your accident wasn't supposed to leave you alive.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
David slowly sat down.
Robert stood immediately.
“Rachel, I need you to repeat that.””
She looked terrified.
“Gregory said the plan was for Marcus to die in the accident.””
Nobody moved.
Rachel began sobbing.
“I didn't know how they were going to do it. I swear. I only handled the paperwork.””
I stared at her.
“You knew they were planning to kill me?””
“I thought it was just talk!””
“And you still helped them?””
She covered her face.
Robert signaled to the company attorney.
The meeting was immediately suspended, and Rachel was asked to remain while arrangements were made for a formal statement.
I sat silently.
moved.
Rachel began sobbing.
“I didn't know how they were going to do it. I swear. I only handled the paperwork.””
I stared at her.
“You knew they were planning to kill me?””
“I thought it was just talk!””
“And you still helped them?””
She covered her face.
Robert signaled to the company attorney.
The meeting was immediately suspended, and Rachel was asked to remain while arrangements were made for a formal statement.
I sat silently.
The accident had not simply been a terrible consequence of reckless behavior.
There had been discussions about my death.
There had been financial arrangements.
There had been medical paperwork prepared in advance.
And somehow, people who had worked for me for years had become involved.
When Robert and I finally left the building, I felt exhausted.
But I also felt something else.
Clarity.
For the first time, I understood why they had been so desperate to keep me in that wheelchairThe accident had not simply been a terrible consequence of reckless behavior.
There had been discussions about my death.
There had been financial arrangements.
There had been medical paperwork prepared in advance.
And somehow, people who had worked for me for years had become involved.
When Robert and I finally left the building, I felt exhausted.
But I also felt something else.
Clarity.
For the first time, I understood why they had been so desperate to keep me in that wheelchair.
As long as I remained helpless, they could pretend I was incapable of making decisions.
They could control the company.
They could control the property.
They could control the story.
But I wasn't helpless anymore.
That evening, I returned home and found Linda sitting in the living room.
Her eyes were red.
She stood as soon as she saw me.
“Marcus, we need to talk.””
I looked at her.
“About what?””
“Rachel called me.””
I stopped.
“What did she tell you?””
Linda swallowed.
“She said you found.
As long as I remained helpless, they could pretend I was incapable of making decisions.
They could control the company.
They could control the property.
They could control the story.
But I wasn't helpless anymore.
That evening, I returned home and found Linda sitting in the living room.
Her eyes were red.
She stood as soon as she saw me.
“Marcus, we need to talk.””
I looked at her.
“About what?””
“Rachel called me.””
I stopped.
“What did she tell you?””
Linda swallowed.
“She said you found out everything.””
I said nothing.
She stepped closer.
“Please don't let this go any further.””
I stared at her.
“Linda, people were discussing my death.””
She began crying.
“I didn't want that.””
“But you knew.””
“I didn't know it would happen!””
“Did you know they were planning it?””
She looked down.
Then she nodded.
I felt something inside me go completely still.
“How long?””
She whispered, “Months.””
I stared at her.
“Months?””
She out everything.””
I said nothing.
She stepped closer.
“Please don't let this go any further.””
I stared at her.
“Linda, people were discussing my death.””
She began crying.
“I didn't want that.””
“But you knew.””
“I didn't know it would happen!””
“Did you know they were planning it?””
She looked down.
Then she nodded.
I felt something inside me go completely still.
“How long?””
She whispered, “Months.””
I stared at her.
“Months?””
She nodded again.
Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out a small envelope.
“I brought something.””
“What?””
“A letter.””
She placed it on the coffee table.
I looked at the handwriting.
It was Jasmine's.
Linda wiped her cheeks.
“She wrote it two days before the accident. She told me to keep it in case anything went wrong.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
The message was short.
*Mom, if Marcus survives, don't nodded again.
Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out a small envelope.
“I brought something.””
“What?””
“A letter.””
She placed it on the coffee table.
I looked at the handwriting.
It was Jasmine's.
Linda wiped her cheeks.
“She wrote it two days before the accident. She told me to keep it in case anything went wrong.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
The message was short.
Mom, if Marcus survives, don't let him remember what happened. Gregory says we can still get everything under control if he believes the accident was his fault.
I read it once.
Then again.
But at the bottom, there was another sentence.
One that made me stop breathing.
And if he starts walking again, we have to make sure he never gets the chance to tell anyone.
I slowly lowered the letter.
“Linda.””
She was trembling.
“I'm sorry.””
I looked at her.
“Where is Jasmine?””
Linda swallowed.
let him remember what happened. Gregory says we can still get everything under control if he believes the accident was his fault.*
I read it once.
Then again.
But at the bottom, there was another sentence.
One that made me stop breathing.
And if he starts walking again, we have to make sure he never gets the chance to tell anyone.
I slowly lowered the letter.
“Linda.””
She was trembling.
“I'm sorry.””
I looked at her.
“Where is Jasmine?””
Linda swallowed.
“She left this morning.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
I held up the letter.
“Then you'd better find out.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
Mr. Hale, my name is Detective Laura Bennett. We have located Jasmine's vehicle. We need you to come to the station immediately.
A second message followed.
There is evidence suggesting she may be preparing to leave the country.
Then a third.
*And Marcus, we found something in her apartment that changes“She left this morning.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
I held up the letter.
“Then you'd better find out.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
Mr. Hale, my name is Detective Laura Bennett. We have located Jasmine's vehicle. We need you to come to the station immediately.
A second message followed.
There is evidence suggesting she may be preparing to leave the country.
Then a third.
And Marcus, we found something in her apartment that changes the investigation completely.
I looked at Linda.
For the first time, she seemed more afraid of what her daughter had done than of what I might discover.
I turned my wheelchair toward the door.
Because tomorrow, I was going to hear the final truth.
And this time the investigation completely.*
I looked at Linda.
For the first time, she seemed more afraid of what her daughter had done than of what I might discover.
I turned my wheelchair toward the door.
Because tomorrow, I was going to hear the final truth.
May you like
And this time, nobody was going to tell me what I was allowed to remember.
, nobody was going to tell me what I was allowed to remember.
