Chapter 11: The Woman Who Had Been Waiting Seven Years
Vanessa hurried downstairs.
Daniel was already heading toward the front door.
Margaret followed with one of the officers.
Through the glass, Vanessa saw Tiana standing beside Jonathan.
Tiana looked composed again.
Her hair was perfectly arranged, and she wore the same expensive coat she had worn to the competition.
Jonathan held a leather briefcase.
Between them was a white envelope.
Vanessa recognized the handwriting.
Her mother's.
“Don't open the door,” Margaret warned.
Daniel ignored her.
“I'm not letting them stand outside my house holding my wife's belongings.””
The officer stepped forward.
“I'll speak to them first.””
He opened the door.
“Mr. Pierce. Mrs.
Hayes. Please explain why you're here.””
Jonathan smiled politely.
“We're here to resolve a family misunderstanding.””
Tiana lifted the envelope.
“I have something that belongs to Vanessa.””
Vanessa stepped into view.
“Give it to me.””
Tiana looked directly at her.
“Not until you hear what it contains.””
Daniel moved between them.
“You have no right to possess that letter.””
Tiana laughed.
“Really, Daniel? You want to talk about rights?””
Jonathan opened his briefcase.
“I think everyone should calm down. There are some serious misunderstandings concerning the trust.””
Margaret crossed her arms.
“The trust is under legal review. You have no authority to negotiate anything.””
Jonathan's smile disappeared.
“I'm not negotiating with you.””
He looked at Vanessa.
“Your mother left documents that could damage several people. Including your father.””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Then let me read them.””
Tiana held the envelope against her chest.
“First, I want everyone to understand something. I never intended to hurt you.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“You destroyed my violin.””
“I was desperate.””
“You tried to steal my mother's trust.””
“I was protecting my daughter.””
“You tried to make everyone believe I damaged my own instrument.””
Tiana's jaw tightened.
“You have no idea what I've sacrificed.””
Vanessa's voice became cold.
“You keep saying that. But every time you sacrifice something, it's always mine.””
Brielle appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Mom, give her the letter.””
Tiana turned.
“Go upstairs.””
“No.””
“Brielle, don't interfere.””
“I heard you and Jonathan talking last night. I know you were planning to destroy the original documents.””
Jonathan stepped forward.
“That's enough.””
Brielle shook her head.
“You told Mom that once the trust was transferred, nobody would be able to trace the money.””
Tiana slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Stop talking!””
Brielle continued.
“You said Dad would take the blame because his name was on the company.””
Daniel looked at Jonathan.
Jonathan's expression had become dangerous.
“That's a serious accusation.””
Brielle descended the stairs.
“I heard you say it.””
Tiana pointed toward her.
“You have no idea what you're talking about!””
“I heard everything!””
The officer stepped between them.
“Everyone needs to remain calm.””
Margaret looked at the envelope.
“Mrs. Hayes, if you possess evidence belonging to the deceased, you need to surrender it.””
Tiana's grip tightened.
“It's a personal letter.””
“Then you should have no objection to allowing the intended recipient to read it.””
Jonathan suddenly reached for the envelope.
Tiana pulled it away.
For one brief moment, they struggled.
The envelope fell.
Vanessa lunged forward and caught it before it hit the floor.
“Stop!””
Everyone froze.
She held the letter against her chest.
The officer immediately ordered Jonathan to step back.
Margaret carefully examined the envelope.
The seal was broken.
Someone had already opened it.
Vanessa pulled out the folded pages.
There were three.
The first contained a message from her mother.
My dearest Vanessa,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I desperately hoped you would never have to face.
Vanessa's eyes filled.
She continued.
There are people who believe money gives them the right to control other people's lives. They will tell you that they are helping you. They will tell you that they are protecting you. But pay attention to what they do when nobody is watching.
Vanessa swallowed.
I discovered that Jonathan had been using our foundation to move money through false companies. I also discovered that someone inside our family had been helping him.
Her fingers trembled.
She looked up.
Tiana was watching her.
Jonathan had stopped smiling.
Vanessa continued reading.
I trusted Daniel with everything. I still believe he loves you. But I fear he has become so frightened of losing what remains of our family that he will refuse to see the truth.
Daniel closed his eyes.
The next paragraph was worse.
If something happens to me, do not assume the person who comforts you is innocent. The person who offers to help may be the same person who created the danger.
Vanessa looked at Tiana.
“You knew.””
Tiana's expression hardened.
“I knew your mother was paranoid.””
Vanessa turned the page.
The final paragraph contained a name.
Not Jonathan.
Not Tiana.
Someone else.
Someone whose identity Vanessa had never questioned.
She read the sentence twice.
Then she looked at Margaret.
“Is this real?””
Margaret examined the signature and the paper.
“It appears authentic.””
Jonathan suddenly stepped forward.
“Give me that letter.””
The officer blocked him.
“Step back.””
Jonathan's voice rose.
“You have no idea what you're dealing with!””
Tiana began crying.
“Jonathan, please.””
He turned toward her.
“Don't you dare start.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa looked between them.
“What are you afraid of?””
Jonathan stared at her.
Then he made a mistake.
He looked directly at Daniel and said:
“You were supposed to destroy that letter seven years ago.””
Daniel went completely still.
Vanessa slowly turned toward her father.
“Dad?””
Daniel's lips parted.
But before he could speak, Jonathan's phone rang.
He checked the screen.
His face changed.
He answered.
“What?””
A voice spoke from the other end.
Jonathan listened for several seconds.
Then he looked toward the window.
The police officer noticed.
“Mr. Pierce, stay where you are.””
Jonathan ended the call.
He stepped backward.
“I'm leaving.””
“No,” the officer replied.
“You're staying until we've finished questioning you.””
Jonathan looked toward Tiana.
“You said everything was handled.””
Tiana began shaking her head.
“Don't put this on me.””
Vanessa clutched the letter.
The officer guided Jonathan toward the hallway.
As he passed, he turned toward Vanessa.
“You think you've discovered the truth? You haven't even reached the worst part.””
Then he looked at Daniel.
“Tell her who was driving the car that night.””
Vanessa's heart stopped.
She turned toward her father.
May you like
Daniel looked at the floor.
And the silence that followed was more terrifying than anything Jonathan could have said.
