Chapter 8: The Recording That Changed Everything
Detective Brooks ordered the hospital floor secured.
Within minutes, officers were checking stairwells, service corridorsive Brooks ordered the hospital floor secured.
Within minutes, officers were checking stairwells, service corridors, and exits. The hospital staff reviewed security footage while Catherine was moved to a private room under police protection.
Vanessa had disappeared again, and exits. The hospital staff reviewed security footage while Catherine was moved to a private room under police protection.
Vanessa had disappeared again.
But this time, she had left something behind.
A folded note beneath Catherine's water glass.
Detect.
But this time, she had left something behind.
A folded note beneath Catherine's water glass.
Detective Brooks opened it carefully.
*Michael doesn't know the whole truth. I do. Meridianive Brooks opened it carefully.
Michael doesn't know the whole truth. I do. Meridian Hotel, 8:30 p.m. Come if you want to hear what Richard said before he died.
Hotel, 8:30 p.m. Come if you want to hear what Richard said before he died.*
There was no signature.
There didn't need to be one.
I knew Vanessa's handwriting.
Detective BrooksThere was no signature.
There didn't need to be one.
I knew Vanessa's handwriting.
Detective Brooks read the note twice.
"This could be a trap.""
"It probably is," I said.
" read the note twice.
"This could be a trap.""
"It probably is," I said.
"Then you understand why you're not going.""
I looked toward the window.
The skyThen you understand why you're not going.""
I looked toward the window.
The sky over Atlanta had darkened. Streetlights flickered on below us.
"She's over Atlanta had darkened. Streetlights flickered on below us.
"She's claiming to have the original recording.""
"We have the cassette from Briarwood and the files from Catherine's claiming to have the original recording.""
"We have the cassette from Briarwood and the files from Catherine's drive.""
"She says Michael doesn't know the whole truth.""
"That doesn't mean she's telling the truth.""
C drive.""
"She says Michael doesn't know the whole truth.""
"That doesn't mean she's telling the truth.""
Catherine shifted against her pillows.
"Vanessa might be telling the truth about one thing.""
Detective Brooks turned.
atherine shifted against her pillows.
"Vanessa might be telling the truth about one thing.""
Detective Brooks turned.
"What?""
"Michael kept a second recording. The one Richard made the night he died.""
I looked"What?""
"Michael kept a second recording. The one Richard made the night he died.""
I looked at her.
"Why would he keep it?""
"Because it contained evidence against someone more powerful than him at her.
"Why would he keep it?""
"Because it contained evidence against someone more powerful than him.""
"Who?""
Catherine's face tightened.
"Someone who could destroy his entire operation.""
"Who?""
Catherine's face tightened.
"Someone who could destroy his entire operation.""
Detective Brooks folded the note.
"We'll investigate the hotel. But Mr. Carter, you will not approach.""
Detective Brooks folded the note.
"We'll investigate the hotel. But Mr. Carter, you will not approach Vanessa without officers present.""
I nodded.
I had no intention of walking into another Vanessa without officers present.""
I nodded.
I had no intention of walking into another room with Vanessa alone.
Not after the memorial.
room with Vanessa alone.
Not after the memorial.
Not after my mother's bruises.
Not after learning how easily the woman I'd married had turned myNot after my mother's bruises.
Not after learning how easily the woman I'd married had turned my life into a carefully constructed lie.
Yet part of me still wanted to hear her explanation.
Not because I believed her.
Because I wanted to understand how someone could look life into a carefully constructed lie.
Yet part of me still wanted to hear her explanation.
Not because I believed her.
Because I wanted to understand how someone could look me in the eye during our wedding vows while planning to steal my me in the eye during our wedding vows while planning to steal my inheritance.
At 7:45 p.m., Detective Brooks received confirmation that the Meridian Hotel auction inheritance.
At 7:45 p.m., Detective Brooks received confirmation that the Meridian Hotel auction was real. Financial-crimes investigators had identified several shell companies connected to the planned sale.
The operation was real. Financial-crimes investigators had identified several shell companies connected to the planned sale.
The operation was scheduled for nine.
At 8:10, Catherine asked to speak with me was scheduled for nine.
At 8:10, Catherine asked to speak with me privately.
Detective Brooks allowed it, provided an officer remained outside the door.
Catherine looked exhausted.
"Marcus, privately.
Detective Brooks allowed it, provided an officer remained outside the door.
Catherine looked exhausted.
"Marcus, I need you to listen carefully.""
I sat beside her bed.
"What is it?""
"Vanessa didn't enter I need you to listen carefully.""
I sat beside her bed.
"What is it?""
"Vanessa didn't enter your life by accident.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What do you mean?""
"Michael introduced your life by accident.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What do you mean?""
"Michael introduced her to Daniel Price three years ago. She was working for a private investment firm that specialized her to Daniel Price three years ago. She was working for a private investment firm that specialized in distressed properties. Michael knew she was ambitious, and he believed she could get close to you.""
I in distressed properties. Michael knew she was ambitious, and he believed she could get close to you.""
I stared at her.
"You're saying my marriage was planned?""
"At first stared at her.
"You're saying my marriage was planned?""
"At first, yes.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Catherine continued.
"Van, yes.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Catherine continued.
"Vanessa was supposed to learn about your business, identify weaknesses in your finances, and help Michael gain access to the trust. But somewhereessa was supposed to learn about your business, identify weaknesses in your finances, and help Michael gain access to the trust. But somewhere along the way, she began making decisions without his permission.""
"Like what?""
"She moved money into along the way, she began making decisions without his permission.""
"Like what?""
"She moved money into her own accounts. She kept copies of documents. She started negotiating with other her own accounts.
She kept copies of documents. She started negotiating with other investors.""
I shook my head.
"So she was using Michael too.""
"Yes. She wanted enough money to leave him behind.""
I thought about the company registered under her maiden name.
The investors.""
I shook my head.
"So she was using Michael too.""
"Yes. She wanted enough money to leave him behind.""
I thought about the company registered under her maiden name.
The eight hundred and forty thousand dollars.
The funeral memorial.
"Why did she help him eight hundred and forty thousand dollars.
The funeral memorial.
"Why did she help him take my mother?""
"Because Evelyn discovered the transfers and threatened to expose the entire arrangement take my mother?""
"Because Evelyn discovered the transfers and threatened to expose the entire arrangement. Vanessa thought keeping her quiet would buy her time.""
I looked down.
"Did she know Michael. Vanessa thought keeping her quiet would buy her time.""
I looked down.
"Did she know Michael would hurt her?""
"She knew what he was capable of.""
That answer was enough.
I would hurt her?""
"She knew what he was capable of.""
That answer was enough.
I stood and walked to the window.
"Why tell me this now?""
"Because I don't want you to make the same mistake I stood and walked to the window.
"Why tell me this now?""
"Because I don't want you to make the same mistake I made. You keep looking for one person who is completely evil and another who is completely innocent. But people made.
You keep looking for one person who is completely evil and another who is completely innocent. But people can do terrible things while believing they're protecting themselves.""
I turned toward her.
"Are you defending Vanessa can do terrible things while believing they're protecting themselves.""
I turned toward her.
"Are you defending Vanessa?""
"No. I'm telling you not to confuse her fear with innocence.""
The words stayed with me.
At 8:25,?""
"No. I'm telling you not to confuse her fear with innocence.""
The words stayed with me.
At 8:25, Detective Brooks entered the room.
"We have a development.""
She held up her phone.
"Vanessa has Detective Brooks entered the room.
"We have a development.""
She held up her phone.
"Vanessa has contacted our department through an attorney. She says she's willing to surrender evidence related to Richard contacted our department through an attorney. She says she's willing to surrender evidence related to Richard Carter's death.""
My pulse quickened.
"Where is she?""
"She wants to meet at the Carter's death.""
My pulse quickened.
"Where is she?""
"She wants to meet at the Meridian Hotel.""
"Then let's go.""
Detective Brooks shook her head.
"We'll handle the Meridian Hotel.""
"Then let's go.""
Detective Brooks shook her head.
"We'll handle the meeting. You're staying here.""
I clenched my jaw.
"She's asking meeting. You're staying here.""
I clenched my jaw.
"She's asking to speak to me.""
"She's asking to surrender evidence. Those are different things.""
She turned to speak to me.""
"She's asking to surrender evidence. Those are different things.""
She turned to Catherine.
"Can you identify the recording if she produces it?""
"Yes.""
"Then to Catherine.
"Can you identify the recording if she produces it?""
"Yes.""
"Then we need you available by phone.""
Catherine nodded.
Detective Brooks left with two officers.
we need you available by phone.""
Catherine nodded.
Detective Brooks left with two officers.
I remained beside the bed, watching the clock.
8:41.
8:46.
8:52I remained beside the bed, watching the clock.
8:41.
8:46.
8:52.
At 8:57, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Marcus.""
.
At 8:57, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Marcus.""
Vanessa's voice was barely audible.
"Don't let them arrest me before I tell you theVanessa's voice was barely audible.
"Don't let them arrest me before I tell you the truth.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where are you?""
"At the hotel. I'm in the service corridor near truth.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where are you?""
"At the hotel. I'm in the service corridor near the ballroom.""
"Detective Brooks is coming.""
"I know.""
"Then surrender the evidence.""
"I will the ballroom.""
"Detective Brooks is coming.""
"I know.""
"Then surrender the evidence.""
"I will. But you need to understand something first.""
"What?""
"I didn't. But you need to understand something first.""
"What?""
"I didn't know Michael was going to kill your father.""
I gripped the phone.
"You knew he was involved know Michael was going to kill your father.""
I gripped the phone.
"You knew he was involved in something dangerous.""
"Yes.""
"You helped him take my mother.""
"I know in something dangerous.""
"Yes.""
"You helped him take my mother.""
"I know.""
"You lied to me for years.""
"I know, Marcus!""
Her voice cracked.
For a moment, I.""
"You lied to me for years.""
"I know, Marcus!""
Her voice cracked.
For a moment, I heard only her breathing.
Then she whispered, "I loved you.""
I looked at the hospital floor heard only her breathing.
Then she whispered, "I loved you.""
I looked at the hospital floor.
"Maybe you did. But you still chose money.""
"I chose fear.
"Maybe you did. But you still chose money.""
"I chose fear.""
"You chose yourself.""
She didn't answer.
Then she said something that made my.""
"You chose yourself.""
She didn't answer.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
"Michael has a gun.""
I straightened.
"What?""
"He blood run cold.
"Michael has a gun.""
I straightened.
"What?""
"He knows I took the recording. He knows I'm meeting the police. He's inside the hotel, knows I took the recording.
He knows I'm meeting the police. He's inside the hotel, and he's looking for me.""
"Where are the officers?""
"I don't know. Marcus, listen to me. If and he's looking for me.""
"Where are the officers?""
"I don't know. Marcus, listen to me. If Michael gets the recording, he'll destroy the only evidence that proves who ordered Richard's murder.""
"Where Michael gets the recording, he'll destroy the only evidence that proves who ordered Richard's murder.""
"Where is it?""
"In my bag.""
"Give it to the police.""
"I will. But I need you is it?""
"In my bag.""
"Give it to the police.""
"I will. But I need you to tell them something first.""
"What?""
She began crying.
"The person to tell them something first.""
"What?""
She began crying.
"The person who ordered your father's murder wasn't Michael.""
I felt my heart stop.
"Who was who ordered your father's murder wasn't Michael.""
I felt my heart stop.
"Who was it?""
Before she could answer, I heard a loud crash through the phone.
Vanessa screamed.
Then a man's voice cut it?""
Before she could answer, I heard a loud crash through the phone.
Vanessa screamed.
Then a man's voice cut through the line.
"Give me the recording.""
Michael.
I heard a struggle.
The through the line.
"Give me the recording.""
Michael.
I heard a struggle.
The phone fell.
For several seconds, I heard footsteps and heavy breathing.
Then Michael spoke directly phone fell.
For several seconds, I heard footsteps and heavy breathing.
Then Michael spoke directly into the receiver.
"Marcus.""
I couldn't move.
"Michael, don't hurt her.""
He laughed softly.
"You into the receiver.
"Marcus.""
I couldn't move.
"Michael, don't hurt her.""
He laughed softly.
"You still think this is about Vanessa?""
"Let her go.""
"She's a liability. Just still think this is about Vanessa?""
"Let her go.""
"She's a liability. Just like your mother. Just like Richard.""
I gripped the edge of the hospital bed.
"What do you want?""
"The like your mother. Just like Richard.""
I gripped the edge of the hospital bed.
"What do you want?""
"The original trust agreement. The brass key. And every copy of that recording.""
"You original trust agreement. The brass key. And every copy of that recording.""
"You already have the documents.""
"No. I have copies. I want the original.""
"Why?""
"Because the original contains a clause that already have the documents.""
"No. I have copies. I want the original.""
"Why?""
"Because the original contains a clause that could destroy everything I've built.""
I looked toward Catherine.
She had gone pale.
Michael continued could destroy everything I've built.""
I looked toward Catherine.
She had gone pale.
Michael continued.
"Meet me at Briarwood in thirty minutes. Come alone.""
"No.""
"Then I'll.
"Meet me at Briarwood in thirty minutes. Come alone.""
"No.""
"Then I'll send you something that will change your mind.""
A notification appeared on my phone.
send you something that will change your mind.""
A notification appeared on my phone.
A video.
I opened it.
My mother sat in a chair inside a dark roomA video.
I opened it.
My mother sat in a chair inside a dark room, her hands bound in front of her. A man stood behind her with one hand resting on her shoulder.
Mom, her hands bound in front of her. A man stood behind her with one hand resting on her shoulder.
Mom looked directly at the camera.
"Marcus, don't come here.""
The video ended looked directly at the camera.
"Marcus, don't come here.""
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
My mother was in police protection.
She was supposed to be safe.
I stared at the screen.
My mother was in police protection.
She was supposed to be safe.
I looked at Catherine.
"How did he get her?""
Catherine reached.
I looked at Catherine.
"How did he get her?""
Catherine reached for my arm.
"He's been planning this longer than we thought.""
I called Detective Brooks.
She for my arm.
"He's been planning this longer than we thought.""
I called Detective Brooks.
She answered immediately.
"Mr. Carter, where are you?""
"Michael has my mother.""
Silence.
Then her voice sharpened.
answered immediately.
"Mr. Carter, where are you?""
"Michael has my mother.""
Silence.
Then her voice sharpened.
"That's impossible. She's in a secured location.""
"I just received a video.""
"Send"That's impossible. She's in a secured location.""
"I just received a video.""
"Send it to me now. Do not move.""
I forwarded the video.
Within seconds, I it to me now. Do not move.""
I forwarded the video.
Within seconds, I heard officers shouting in the background.
Detective Brooks spoke rapidly to someone beside her.
Then she returned to heard officers shouting in the background.
Detective Brooks spoke rapidly to someone beside her.
Then she returned to the call.
"Mr. Carter, listen to me. The woman in the video is not your mother.""
the call.
"Mr. Carter, listen to me. The woman in the video is not your mother.""
I froze.
"What?""
"We've confirmed Evelyn is safe with our officers. The video appears to haveI froze.
"What?""
"We've confirmed Evelyn is safe with our officers. The video appears to have been recorded earlier, possibly before she was recovered.""
My knees nearly gave out.
been recorded earlier, possibly before she was recovered.""
My knees nearly gave out.
Michael had been bluffing.
But the threat was real.
DetectMichael had been bluffing.
But the threat was real.
Detective Brooks continued.
"We have officers at the hotel. Vanessa has been located,ive Brooks continued.
"We have officers at the hotel. Vanessa has been located, and we're moving to secure her now.""
I heard shouting through the phone.
Then a gunshot.
Detect and we're moving to secure her now.""
I heard shouting through the phone.
Then a gunshot.
Detective Brooks swore.
"Stay where you are!""
The call disconnected.
I stared at my phone.
ive Brooks swore.
"Stay where you are!""
The call disconnected.
I stared at my phone.
Catherine whispered, "What happened?""
I looked at her.
"Michael has the recording.""
Outside the roomCatherine whispered, "What happened?""
I looked at her.
"Michael has the recording.""
Outside the room, an alarm began sounding.
A nurse rushed past the door.
Then the hospital, an alarm began sounding.
A nurse rushed past the door.
Then the hospital lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
And went out.
In the darkness, a voice whispered lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
And went out.
In the darkness, a voice whispered from the doorway.
"Hello, Marcus.""
I turned.
A silhouette stood against from the doorway.
"Hello, Marcus.""
I turned.
A silhouette stood against the faint emergency lighting.
Michael Grant.
He was holding a gun.
And in his other hand was a the faint emergency lighting.
Michael Grant.
May you like
He was holding a gun.
And in his other hand was a small silver flash drive.
