Chapter 8: The Woman Who Changed the Crime Scene
I couldn't speak.
Evelyn had been my mother's closest friend before marrying her father, and after my mother died, she had remained part of our family.
She attended every birthday.
She held Lily through the funeral.
She cooked dinner when Emily was pregnant.
And now she was admitting that she had moved my sister's car after the accident.
“Why?”” I asked.
Evelyn began crying.
“Because I was trying to protect Lily.””
“From what?””
“From the truth.””
I stood up.
“Tell me.””
She looked at the officers.
One of them stepped closer.
“Mrs. Hayes, I think you should explain everything to us.””
Evelyn nodded.
Then she began.
“The night Emily died, I received a call from an unknown number. The man told me there had been an accident. He said Lily was alive, but Emily was badly injured.””
My throat tightened.
“Why didn't you call me?””
“Because the man told me that if I involved you, Lily would be taken away.””
“Who was the man?””
Evelyn glanced at Richard.
“He said he was working for the people who controlled James's trust.””
Richard stood.
“This is ridiculous.””
The officer ordered him to sit.
Evelyn continued.
“When I arrived, Emily's car was beside the road. Daniel was there. Lily was crying in the back seat.””
I looked at Daniel.
He closed his eyes.
Evelyn wiped her cheeks.
“Emily was unconscious. There was blood on her forehead. Daniel told me he had found her like that.””
I turned toward him.
“You told Evelyn that?””
Daniel nodded.
“You had already left.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I was afraid.””
I laughed bitterly.
“That's all anyone says.””
Evelyn continued.
“I saw the black folder missing from the front seat. I knew Emily had been carrying it. Daniel told me Richard wanted it.””
I looked at Richard.
He stared back without expression.
“What happened next?”” I asked.
Evelyn took a shaky breath.
“I moved the car.””
I felt sick.
“You moved my sister's car?””
“I thought I could make the scene look like an ordinary accident. I believed the police would leave Lily alone if they couldn't connect the accident to the documents.””
I stared at her.
“You altered a crime scene.””
“I know.””
“You allowed everyone to believe Emily lost control.””
“I know.””
“You let me bury my sister without knowing what really happened.””
Evelyn began sobbing.
“I thought I was saving Lily.””
I turned away.
The police officer approached her.
“Mrs. Hayes, you need to come with us.””
She nodded.
Then she looked at Lily.
“Darling, I'm sorry.””
Lily didn't move.
Evelyn reached out.
“Can Grandma have a hug?””
Lily stepped backward.
The small movement seemed to break Evelyn completely.
She covered her face.
I wanted to comfort her.
But I couldn't.
Not yet.
The officer escorted Evelyn away.
Before leaving, she turned toward me.
“Marcus, your father knew what I had done.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He left a letter for you. He told me to give it to you if the truth ever came out.””
She pointed toward the silver key in my hand.
“It's in the box.””
Then she was gone.
I looked at Arthur.
“Take me to the bank.””
He nodded.
Daniel approached.
“Marcus, I want to come.””
I turned toward him.
“You've done enough.””
He looked devastated.
“I know. But there are things I need to tell you.””
“Then tell the police.””
He lowered his head.
Two officers approached him.
Daniel didn't resist.
Richard, however, had become increasingly agitated.
He stood suddenly.
“I have a lawyer. I am not answering any more questions.””
The officer nodded.
“That's your right.””
Richard looked at me.
“You think you're winning, Marcus?””
I stared at him.
“You stole from my company, betrayed my family, and may have been involved in the deaths of three people.””
Richard laughed.
“Three?””
I stepped closer.
“Who is the third?””
He smiled.
“Ask Arthur.””
I turned.
Arthur's face had gone pale.
“What's he talking about?””
Richard leaned back.
“Your father didn't die naturally.””
Arthur closed his eyes.
The officer moved toward Richard.
“That's enough.””
Richard continued.
“Your father discovered everything. He knew about Emily. He knew about James. And he knew about the trust.””
I looked at Arthur.
“Did you know?””
Arthur nodded slowly.
“I suspected.””
“Suspected what?””
“That someone had been giving your father medication that wasn't prescribed by his doctor.””
My blood ran cold.
“What medication?””
Arthur hesitated.
“Something that could worsen his heart condition.””
I couldn't breathe.
“Who?””
Arthur looked toward Vanessa.
She was staring at the floor.
Then he said the name.
“Richard.””
The room erupted.
Richard stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
“You old fool!””
The officers restrained him.
He struggled, shouting that the allegations were lies.
But Arthur continued.
“Your father asked me to investigate. I found a pharmacy receipt in Richard's car. The medication had been purchased under a false name.””
I stared at Richard.
“You killed my father?””
Richard stopped struggling.
Then he smiled.
“No, Marcus. I didn't kill him.””
He looked toward Vanessa.
“But she knows who did.””
Vanessa's head snapped up.
“Richard, shut up!””
He laughed.
“Tell him.””
She shook her head.
“Don't.””
Richard turned toward me.
“Your bride-to-be has been protecting someone for a very long time.””
I stared at Vanessa.
“Who?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
“Your mother.””
I felt the floor disappear beneath me.
My mother had been dead for twelve years.
May you like
Richard smiled.
“That's right, Marcus. Your mother didn't die from cancer.””
