Chapter 8: The Brother Who Knew Too Much
I called Thomas back.
Immediately.
No hesitation.
But the call went straight to voicemail.
I called again.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
The man who had just admitted knowing something about Claire’s investigation had disappeared.
I stood in the middle of the wedding room with my phone pressed against my ear.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Finally, Marcus said:
“He won’t answer.””
I looked at him.
“How do you know?””
“Because Claire told me he would run.””
I turned slowly.
“She knew?””
Marcus nodded.
“She knew Thomas was involved.””
My stomach dropped.
“Then why didn’t she tell me?””
“Because she didn’t have proof.””
I looked at the folder in my hand.
“Isn’t this proof?””
Marcus shook his head.
“Not enough.””
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“My wife was afraid someone was hurting our family, and everyone decided I couldn’t handle the truth?””
Nobody answered.
Because they knew I was right.
Vanessa sat down.
For the first time, she looked exhausted.
Not elegant.
Not controlled.
Just tired.
“David.””
I looked at her.
“I should have told you.””
“Yes.””
Her eyes filled.
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
She looked at Lily.
“Of losing her.””
That answer surprised me.
“You thought hiding this would protect Lily?””
“I thought if I could fix it before you knew…”
“You thought you could fix my wife’s investigation?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I thought I could stop it from destroying everyone.””
I stared at her.
“You’re still protecting someone.””
She looked away.
I knew.
She was.
The question was who.
Marcus walked toward the door.
“We need to leave.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because this room isn’t safe anymore.””
I almost laughed.
“It’s a wedding room.””
Marcus looked at me seriously.
“Claire thought the same thing.””
That sentence stopped me.
“What do you mean?””
Marcus reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small key.
“She gave me this.””
I looked at it.
“What is it?””
“The key to a safety deposit box.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Where?””
“She never told me.””
“Then how do you know it matters?””
Marcus looked at Lily.
“Because Claire wrote one sentence on the envelope.””
“What sentence?””
Marcus hesitated.
Then:
“If anything happens to me, David and Lily need what is inside.””
My heart sank.
Lily.
Again.
Everything came back to Lily.
I walked toward my daughter.
She was sitting quietly on the chair, holding Claire’s locket.
I knelt beside her.
“Hey.””
She looked up.
“Are you mad at Mommy?””
The question shocked me.
“No.””
“Because everyone is fighting because of her.””
My chest hurt.
I took her hand.
“Baby, nobody is fighting because of Mommy.””
“But Mommy is making everyone sad.””
I swallowed.
“No.””
I touched the locket.
“Your mom loved you more than anything.””
Lily looked at the necklace.
“She said this would keep me safe.””
I froze.
“What did you say?””
She looked confused.
“Mommy said the necklace would keep me safe.””
“When did she say that?””
“Before she went to the hospital.””
My heart started racing.
“What else did she say?””
Lily thought.
Then whispered:
“She said if Vanessa ever tried to take it…”
She stopped.
I leaned closer.
“What?””
Lily looked scared.
“She said I should give it to Daddy.””
The room went silent.
I looked at Vanessa.
Her face lost all color.
“Vanessa,” I whispered.
She shook her head.
“No.””
“You knew.””
“No.””
“You knew about the locket.””
“I knew Claire gave it to Lily.””
“Not that it had a note?””
Her silence answered.
Marcus stepped closer.
“David.””
I turned.
“What?””
“There’s something else.””
“What?””
He pointed at the locket.
“The note wasn’t the only thing Claire hid.””
My heart stopped.
“What are you saying?””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“She wasn’t trying to leave you a warning.””
He paused.
“She was trying to leave you evidence.””
Vanessa suddenly stood.
“David, don’t listen to him.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because he’s making you believe things that aren’t true.””
“Then prove it.””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing.
The door suddenly opened.
A man stood there.
Thomas.
My brother.
His face was pale.
His clothes were wrinkled.
Like he had rushed there without thinking.
Everyone turned.
“David.””
I stared at him.
“You finally came.””
Thomas looked at Vanessa.
Then Marcus.
Then Lily.
His eyes filled with regret.
“I’m sorry.””
I stepped forward.
“For what?””
He swallowed.
“For what happened to Claire.””
The room froze.
“What happened to Claire?””
Thomas looked at me.
May you like
And whispered:
“She didn’t die because she was sick.””
