Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Recording Vanessa Stole: The Recording Vanessa Stole
My father called the police before I
My father called the police before I could stop him.
He paced Thomas could stop him.
He paced Thomas Bennett's living room with his phone pressed to his ear, demanding that someone send officers Bennett's living room with his phone pressed to his ear, demanding that someone send officers to the motel on Route 6. His voice was sharp and controlled, but his free to the motel on Route 6. His voice was sharp and controlled, but his free hand kept opening and closing at his side.
I had never seen him look so hand kept opening and closing at his side.
I had never seen him look so helpless.
“An injured witness, a stolen recording, and a woman helpless.
“An injured witness, a stolen recording, and a woman who may have falsified hospital records,” he told the dispatcher.
“I want someone there immediately.””
When he who may have falsified hospital records,” he told the dispatcher.
“I want someone there immediately.””
When he ended the call, I held up my phone.
“The photograph could be old. We ended the call, I held up my phone.
“The photograph could be old. We don't know whether Peter is alive.””
“Then we'll find out.””
“And if Vanessa has already don't know whether Peter is alive.””
“Then we'll find out.””
“And if Vanessa has already left?””
“We'll find her.””
I stared at him.
“You keep saying that as though she's left?””
“We'll find her.””
I stared at him.
“You keep saying that as though she's an employee who missed a meeting.””
His expression tightened.
“Nia, I know what she's done to an employee who missed a meeting.””
His expression tightened.
“Nia, I know what she's done to you.””
“No, Dad. You know what we're beginning to discover she's you.””
“No, Dad. You know what we're beginning to discover she's done. There's a difference.””
Lily sat on the bottom stair, her knees drawn to her chest. She done. There's a difference.””
Lily sat on the bottom stair, her knees drawn to her chest. She had barely spoken since the message arrived.
Thomas stood beside her, one hand resting on the railing.
“Marcus had barely spoken since the message arrived.
Thomas stood beside her, one hand resting on the railing.
“Marcus,” he said quietly, “if Vanessa has,” he said quietly, “if Vanessa has that recording, she'll destroy it.””
My father turned.
“Then we need to find her before she does.””
Thomas that recording, she'll destroy it.””
My father turned.
“Then we need to find her before she does.””
Thomas shook his head.
“You're thinking like a businessman. Vanessa doesn't operate that way. She shook his head.
“You're thinking like a businessman. Vanessa doesn't operate that way. She'll assume the police are coming, and she'll make sure there's nothing left to find.””
“Then what do you suggest?””
Thomas'll assume the police are coming, and she'll make sure there's nothing left to find.””
“Then what do you suggest?””
Thomas looked at Lily.
“I suggest we find out why she took the recording.””
Lily raised her head.
“Because looked at Lily.
“I suggest we find out why she took the recording.””
Lily raised her head.
“Because it proves Nia is the wrong daughter.””
“Perhaps,” Thomas said it proves Nia is the wrong daughter.””
“Perhaps,” Thomas said.
“But if that were all it proved, she could have destroyed it years ago. She must have believed.
“But if that were all it proved, she could have destroyed it years ago. She must have believed there was something on that recording that could still hurt her.””
I thought about Peter's words.
*The there was something on that recording that could still hurt her.””
I thought about Peter's words.
The truth about your birth is not the worst thing your mother hid from you.
My mother had known that someone intended to switch the babies truth about your birth is not the worst thing your mother hid from you.*
My mother had known that someone intended to switch the babies before we were born.
She had written a letter.
She had left a recording.
And she had apparently before we were born.
She had written a letter.
She had left a recording.
And she had apparently concealed another secret.
I felt as though I were chasing a woman who had been leaving concealed another secret.
I felt as though I were chasing a woman who had been leaving breadcrumbs for nineteen years, never knowing whether they were meant to lead me toward breadcrumbs for nineteen years, never knowing whether they were meant to lead me toward her or away from something worse.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered immediately.
“Peter her or away from something worse.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered immediately.
“Peter?””
A woman's voice replied.
“No. My name is Grace Miller?””
A woman's voice replied.
“No. My name is Grace Miller. I'm a nurse at St.
Catherine's. Peter Lawson is my father.””
I. I'm a nurse at St. Catherine's. Peter Lawson is my father.””
I gripped the phone.
“Is he alive?””
“Yes. He's in surgery. Someone attacked him in the motel parking lot gripped the phone.
“Is he alive?””
“Yes. He's in surgery. Someone attacked him in the motel parking lot, but a housekeeper found him before he lost too much blood.””
I closed my eyes with, but a housekeeper found him before he lost too much blood.””
I closed my eyes with relief.
“Can I speak to him?””
“Not yet. He's unconscious. But before he went into surgery, he gave the relief.
“Can I speak to him?””
“Not yet. He's unconscious. But before he went into surgery, he gave the paramedics something.””
“What?””
“A key.””
I heard paper paramedics something.””
“What?””
“A key.””
I heard paper rustling on the other end.
“He told them to find a woman named Nia rustling on the other end.
“He told them to find a woman named Nia Carter. He said the key would help you recover something your mother left behind.””
My father Carter. He said the key would help you recover something your mother left behind.””
My father moved closer.
“Ask her where the key is,” he said.
I rel moved closer.
“Ask her where the key is,” he said.
I relayed the question.
“It's with me,” Grace replied.
“But there's something else you shouldayed the question.
“It's with me,” Grace replied.
“But there's something else you should know. My father has been trying to contact Marcus Carter for years.””
My father froze.
“ know. My father has been trying to contact Marcus Carter for years.””
My father froze.
“Why didn't he?””
“He said every letter he sentWhy didn't he?””
“He said every letter he sent was returned, and every call was redirected to an assistant who told him Mr. Carter wasn't was returned, and every call was redirected to an assistant who told him Mr. Carter wasn't available.””
I looked at my father.
His face went rigid.
“Who handled available.””
I looked at my father.
His face went rigid.
“Who handled the calls?”” he asked.
Grace answered without the calls?”” he asked.
Grace answered without hesitation.
“Vanessa Carter.””
Nobody spoke.
The room seemed to shrink around us.
My hesitation.
“Vanessa Carter.””
Nobody spoke.
The room seemed to shrink around us.
My father sat down slowly.
“Of course,” he whispered.
He looked at me.
“She controlled my schedule, my correspondence, and almost every visitor who wanted access father sat down slowly.
“Of course,” he whispered.
He looked at me.
“She controlled my schedule, my correspondence, and almost every visitor who wanted access to me. I thought she was protecting my time.””
“You to me. I thought she was protecting my time.””
“You gave her the keys to your life,” I said.
He lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
For once, he didn't defend himself.
Grace continued.
“My gave her the keys to your life,” I said.
He lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
For once, he didn't defend himself.
Grace continued.
“My father said there was a storage unit at the old hospital records annex. He rented it under father said there was a storage unit at the old hospital records annex. He rented it under a false name. He told me the key was supposed to go to you if anything happened to him.””
a false name. He told me the key was supposed to go to you if anything happened to him.””
“Why me?””
“Because your mother specifically requested it.””
My heart pounded.
“Why me?””
“Because your mother specifically requested it.””
My heart pounded.
“What's in the unit?””
“I don't know. My father never told me. He said the contents could“What's in the unit?””
“I don't know. My father never told me. He said the contents could only be released to you.””
I glanced at my father.
He nodded once.
“We only be released to you.””
I glanced at my father.
He nodded once.
“We'll meet you at the hospital,” he said.
Grace hesitated.
“There's one more thing.''ll meet you at the hospital,” he said.
Grace hesitated.
“There's one more thing. Someone called the hospital ten minutes ago asking whether Peter had survived. The caller Someone called the hospital ten minutes ago asking whether Peter had survived. The caller identified herself as Vanessa Carter.””
Lily stood abruptly identified herself as Vanessa Carter.””
Lily stood abruptly.
“She knows where he is.””
My father grabbed his coat.
“Then we need to move.””
But before we could leave, Lily.
“She knows where he is.””
My father grabbed his coat.
“Then we need to move.””
But before we could leave, Lily caught my wrist.
“Wait.””
She looked terrified caught my wrist.
“Wait.””
She looked terrified.
“What if Vanessa comes here?””
Thomas stepped between us.
“Then she won't get through that door.””
Lily shook her head.
“You.
“What if Vanessa comes here?””
Thomas stepped between us.
“Then she won't get through that door.””
Lily shook her head.
“You don't understand. She doesn't need to come here.””
She pulled out her phone and showed us a message.
It had arrived two minutes earlier.
**You don't understand. She doesn't need to come here.””
She pulled out her phone and showed us a message.
It had arrived two minutes earlier.
*You have until midnight to come home. If you don't, Thomas will be arrested have until midnight to come home. If you don't, Thomas will be arrested for kidnapping.*
Below it was a photograph of Thomas standing beside Lily when she was about six years old.
for kidnapping.**
Below it was a photograph of Thomas standing beside Lily when she was about six years old.
The picture had been taken in front of their old house.
Someone had circled LilyThe picture had been taken in front of their old house.
Someone had circled Lily's face in red.
Thomas went pale.
“She wouldn't dare.””
Lily looked at him.
“She took me once. You know she would.””
My father's face in red.
Thomas went pale.
“She wouldn't dare.””
Lily looked at him.
“She took me once. You know she would.””
My father read the message again.
“She's bluffing. Lily has lived with read the message again.
“She's bluffing. Lily has lived with you for seventeen years. You have legal guardianship records.””
“Records she created,” Thomas replied.
“If she you for seventeen years. You have legal guardianship records.””
“Records she created,” Thomas replied.
“If she has the originals, she can make them say anything she wants.””
I looked at Lily.
“Do you want to go with has the originals, she can make them say anything she wants.””
I looked at Lily.
“Do you want to go with her?””
“No!””
The answer came out immediately.
She looked her?””
“No!””
The answer came out immediately.
She looked ashamed of how loudly she had shouted.
Then she stepped closer to me.
“I don't want to be alone with her ever again.””
I squeezed ashamed of how loudly she had shouted.
Then she stepped closer to me.
“I don't want to be alone with her ever again.””
I squeezed her hand.
“Then you won't be.””
For the first time, she didn't pull away.
We left Thomas's house through the back door and used her hand.
“Then you won't be.””
For the first time, she didn't pull away.
We left Thomas's house through the back door and used a different vehicle to reach the hospital. My father called a private security consultant he trusted from before Vanessa had joined the company. a different vehicle to reach the hospital.
My father called a private security consultant he trusted from before Vanessa had joined the company. He arranged for two officers to stay with Thomas and Lily while we went to meet Grace.
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and stale He arranged for two officers to stay with Thomas and Lily while we went to meet Grace.
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and stale coffee.
Grace was waiting near the nurses' station, wearing blue scrubs and a cardigan several sizes too large. coffee.
Grace was waiting near the nurses' station, wearing blue scrubs and a cardigan several sizes too large. She looked exhausted, with red eyes and a white mark where her glasses had rested.
When she saw me, she approached She looked exhausted, with red eyes and a white mark where her glasses had rested.
When she saw me, she approached immediately.
“You're Nia?””
“Yes.””
She handed me a small brass key.
A paper tag immediately.
“You're Nia?””
“Yes.””
She handed me a small brass key.
A paper tag was attached to it.
*Unit 214. St. Catherine's Records Annex.*
My fingers closed around the metal.
“Thank was attached to it.
*Unit 214. St. Catherine's Records Annex.*
My fingers closed around the metal.
“Thank you.””
Grace looked at my father.
“Mr. Carter, my father always said you weren't the man he you.””
Grace looked at my father.
“Mr. Carter, my father always said you weren't the man he believed had arranged the switch.””
Marcus stiffened.
“What man?””
Grace glanced believed had arranged the switch.””
Marcus stiffened.
“What man?””
Grace glanced toward the waiting room.
“He never told me his name. He said your wife knew him, and that the toward the waiting room.
“He never told me his name. He said your wife knew him, and that the two of them had been working together before you ever suspected anything.””
My father stared at her.
“Vanessa had two of them had been working together before you ever suspected anything.””
My father stared at her.
“Vanessa had an accomplice?””
“My father believed so.””
“Why didn't he tell the police?””
“Because the first an accomplice?””
“My father believed so.””
“Why didn't he tell the police?””
“Because the first time he tried, someone broke into his house and threatened my mother.””
time he tried, someone broke into his house and threatened my mother.””
Grace's voice trembled.
“He was afraid they'd come after me, too.””
I lookedGrace's voice trembled.
“He was afraid they'd come after me, too.””
I looked down at the key.
Another witness.
Another threat.
Another person who had spent down at the key.
Another witness.
Another threat.
Another person who had spent years hiding because Vanessa had convinced them that silence was safer than the truth.
“ years hiding because Vanessa had convinced them that silence was safer than the truth.
“Can you take us to the records annex?”” I asked.
Grace nodded.
We droveCan you take us to the records annex?”” I asked.
Grace nodded.
We drove there just before ten.
The annex was a squat brick building behind the hospital, its windows covered with metal grilles. A faded sign identified it as a storage facility for archived there just before ten.
The annex was a squat brick building behind the hospital, its windows covered with metal grilles. A faded sign identified it as a storage facility for archived medical documents.
Grace led us through a side entrance using an employee badge.
The corridor medical documents.
Grace led us through a side entrance using an employee badge.
The corridor smelled of dust and damp cardboard.
At the end stood a row of numbered metal doors.
Unit smelled of dust and damp cardboard.
At the end stood a row of numbered metal doors.
Unit 214 was near the corner.
I inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
214 was near the corner.
I inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
Inside were three cardboard boxes, a small suitcase, and a sealed envelope bearing my name.
My father stood behind me.
“Open the envelope first,” heInside were three cardboard boxes, a small suitcase, and a sealed envelope bearing my name.
My father stood behind me.
“Open the envelope first,” he said.
I tore it carefully along the edge.
Inside was a letter in my mother's handwriting.
said.
I tore it carefully along the edge.
Inside was a letter in my mother's handwriting.
My darling Nia,
If you have found this, then someone has finally told you enough of the truth to make you ask the right questions.
My hands began to shakeMy darling Nia,
If you have found this, then someone has finally told you enough of the truth to make you ask the right questions.
My hands began to shake.
*I need you to understand something before you read any further. I did.
I need you to understand something before you read any further. I did not leave you because I stopped loving you. I did not disappear because I wanted another life.
I not leave you because I stopped loving you. I did not disappear because I wanted another life.*
I swallowed hard.
*I disappeared because someone convinced me that one of my daughters would die if I stayed swallowed hard.
I disappeared because someone convinced me that one of my daughters would die if I stayed.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
My father turned away, covering.*
I pressed the paper against my chest.
My father turned away, covering his mouth with one hand.
I continued.
*The night you were born, I heard a nurse his mouth with one hand.
I continued.
*The night you were born, I heard a nurse tell someone that the paperwork had been changed. I was too weak tell someone that the paperwork had been changed. I was too weak to get out of bed.
When I finally asked to see both of my babies, one to get out of bed. When I finally asked to see both of my babies, one was gone.*
Marcus believed the hospital when they told him our second daughter had died. was gone.
Marcus believed the hospital when they told him our second daughter had died. I believed him when he told me that the child he brought home was safe.
We were both wrong.
The letter continued for another I believed him when he told me that the child he brought home was safe.*
We were both wrong.
The letter continued for another page, but the final paragraph made my blood run cold.
*If Vanessa page, but the final paragraph made my blood run cold.
*If Vanessa is still in your life, do not confront her until you have listened to the recording. is still in your life, do not confront her until you have listened to the recording. She will tell you that she was trying to protect you.
She will tell you that the switch She will tell you that she was trying to protect you. She will tell you that the switch was necessary.*
She will even tell you that I agreed to it.
Do not believe her was necessary.
She will even tell you that I agreed to it.
Do not believe her.
At the bottom, my mother had written a final sentence.
The person who arranged the switch was not trying to steal a.
At the bottom, my mother had written a final sentence.
The person who arranged the switch was not trying to steal a baby. He was trying to erase a name.
I looked up.
“What name?””
My father opened baby. He was trying to erase a name.*
I looked up.
“What name?””
My father opened the first box.
Inside were hospital forms, old photographs, and newspaper clippings. The second box contained financial records. The third held a small cassette recorder and the first box.
Inside were hospital forms, old photographs, and newspaper clippings. The second box contained financial records. The third held a small cassette recorder and a plastic case with two labeled tapes.
One was marked *NIA* a plastic case with two labeled tapes.
One was marked *NIA*.
The other was marked *LILY*.
My father picked up the first tape.
“Which one should we play?””
I looked at.
The other was marked *LILY*.
My father picked up the first tape.
“Which one should we play?””
I looked at the labels.
My mother's handwriting.
My name.
My sister's name.
Then I noticed the labels.
My mother's handwriting.
My name.
My sister's name.
Then I noticed a small note taped to the recorder.
**Listen to N a small note taped to the recorder.
*Listen to Nia first. The truth about Lily will only make sense afterward.*
Iia first. The truth about Lily will only make sense afterward.**
I pressed the play button.
A soft hiss filled the room.
Then my mother's voice emerged from the speaker.
“Nia, my pressed the play button.
A soft hiss filled the room.
Then my mother's voice emerged from the speaker.
“Nia, my darling girl. If you're listening to this, I need you to forgive me for the things darling girl. If you're listening to this, I need you to forgive me for the things you may never understand.””
I began to cry.
Her voice was older than I remembered from you may never understand.””
I began to cry.
Her voice was older than I remembered from the fragments of my childhood, but the warmth was unmistakable.
“I need you to know that the the fragments of my childhood, but the warmth was unmistakable.
“I need you to know that the woman who raised you was not the woman who gave birth to you.””
My father staggered backward.
The woman who raised you was not the woman who gave birth to you.””
My father staggered backward.
The tape continued.
“Your biological mother was my sister, Claire.””
I stopped tape continued.
“Your biological mother was my sister, Claire.””
I stopped breathing.
My mother had been my aunt.
The woman I had spent nineteen years mourning was not the woman who had given birth to me.
And somewhere in the city, Vanessa had known the truth all along.
Then my mother's voice broke through the static again.
“But that is not the worst of breathing.
My mother had been my aunt.
The woman I had spent nineteen years mourning was not the woman who had given birth to me.
And somewhere in the city, Vanessa had known the truth all along.
Then my mother's voice broke through the static again.
“But that is not the worst of it, sweetheart. Because the man who arranged the switch was—”
A sharp crack sounded.
The tape stopped it, sweetheart. Because the man who arranged the switch was—”
A sharp crack sounded.
The tape stopped.
I stared at the recorder.
The cassette had snapped.
My father grabbed the device and examined.
I stared at the recorder.
The cassette had snapped.
My father grabbed the device and examined it, but the ribbon had tangled inside the mechanism.
“No,” I whispered.
“ it, but the ribbon had tangled inside the mechanism.
“No,” I whispered.
“No, no, no.””
Grace hurried forward.
“There's a repair kitNo, no, no.””
Grace hurried forward.
“There's a repair kit in the office. We might be able to recover the rest.””
She took the recorder and disappeared in the office. We might be able to recover the rest.””
She took the recorder and disappeared down the corridor.
My father stood beside me, his face drained of color.
“Claire was your biological mother,” he down the corridor.
My father stood beside me, his face drained of color.
“Claire was your biological mother,” he said.
I shook my head.
“Then who was Evelyn to me?””
He didn't answer said.
I shook my head.
“Then who was Evelyn to me?””
He didn't answer.
I looked at the second tape.
.
I looked at the second tape.
*LILY.*
My mother's letter had said the truth about Lily would only make sense afterward.
But the first recording had ended before the most important sentence.
I picked up the second cassette.
Before I could insert it, my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*I know whereLILY.*
My mother's letter had said the truth about Lily would only make sense afterward.
But the first recording had ended before the most important sentence.
I picked up the second cassette.
Before I could insert it, my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*I know where you are.*
Another arrived immediately.
*You have one chance to bring me the tapes.*
Then a photograph appeared you are.**
Another arrived immediately.
*You have one chance to bring me the tapes.*
Then a photograph appeared.
It showed Lily sitting in the back seat of a black car.
Her hands were pressed against.
It showed Lily sitting in the back seat of a black car.
Her hands were pressed against the window.
Her face was wet with tears.
The final message contained only six words.
**Bring the tapes, or the window.
Her face was wet with tears.
The final message contained only six words.
May you like
*Bring the tapes, or Lily dies tonight.*
Lily dies tonight.**
