Chapter 6 - EMILY REMEMBERED THE ARGUMENT WITH VANESSAMemory returned in pieces.
Not cinematic flashbacks.
Smell.
Sound.
Fragments.
A red scarf.
Rain.
Vanessa saying:
“You’re going to destroy everything.”
Emily responding:
“Then maybe it deserves to be destroyed.”
What?
The donor data.
Months before the crash, Emily discovered that Vanessa had used a nonprofit donor database to identify wealthy clients for her private business.
Then something more serious.
Several donor introductions led to investment products connected to a private fund Vanessa’s firm was quietly trying to rescue.
Potential conflict.
Possibly improper use of confidential donor information.
Emily copied records.
She planned to take them to the nonprofit’s independent counsel.
Vanessa met her at the retreat.
They argued.
Emily left.
Forty minutes later, Emily’s SUV crossed the center line on a wet mountain road and hit a barrier.
No evidence Vanessa touched the vehicle.
No evidence she followed Emily.
Investigators later reconstructed the crash.
Rain.
Speed somewhat above advisory limit.
Possible distraction.
Emily had been on a phone call with Ryan moments before impact.
The crash remained an accident.
Again:
Vanessa had motive to fear Emily.
She argued with her shortly before.
That did not make her responsible for the crash.
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But then why did Vanessa visit her secretly in rehabilitation?
Because she wanted the file.
