Chapter 4: The Night Vanessa Died
I read Tiana's message three times.
Ask Renee what happened the night Vanessa died.
For five years, I had believed Vanessa's death was a terrible accident. She had been driving home from a late shift when her car left the road during a storm. The police had ruled it an accident. There had been no witnesses, no suspicious evidence, and no reason to question the official report.
At least, that's what I had been told.
Now my sister was sitting across from me, unable to meet my eyes.
"Renee," I said slowly, "what happened that night?""
She looked toward the boys.
"Can they go into the kitchen for a minute?""
I didn't like the sound of that request.
"Whatever you're going to tell me, I want them close.""
Renee nodded.
"Then I'll tell you everything.""
Jalen was sitting on the rug, helping Micah build a tower from wooden blocks.
I looked at my older son.
"Buddy, can you take Micah into the kitchen and get yourselves something to eat?""
"Can we have cereal?"" Micah asked.
"Whatever you want.""
Jalen looked at me.
"Can I have two bowls?""
My throat tightened.
"Have three if you're hungry.""
He nodded and took his brother's hand.
When they disappeared into the kitchen, Renee finally spoke.
"Vanessa called me at 10:17 that night.""
I leaned forward.
"What did she say?""
"She was crying. She said Tiana had come to her apartment.""
"Why?""
"Money. Vanessa had discovered that Tiana had been trying to get access to the trust before she died.""
I stared at my sister.
"Why didn't Vanessa tell me?""
"She was afraid.""
"Afraid of what?""
Renee's eyes filled.
"She said Tiana had threatened to tell you that she was unstable. That she would convince you to take Jalen away from her.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't make sense. Vanessa was never unstable.""
"I know.""
Renee pulled another envelope from her handbag.
"This was in Vanessa's old storage box. I found it three days ago.""
Inside was a printed text conversation.
The first message was from Vanessa.
You cannot keep asking me for money. Jalen's trust is not yours.
The response came from Tiana.
You owe me. I helped you when nobody else would.
Vanessa replied:
You helped yourself. I know what you did with the account.
Then Tiana wrote something that made my stomach turn.
If you don't sign the documents, Darius will learn everything about you.
I looked up.
"What documents?""
"That's what I don't know.""
Renee continued.
"Vanessa called me again at 11:03. She said she was leaving her apartment and going somewhere safe.""
"Where?""
"She didn't say.""
I looked at the timestamp.
"Her accident happened after midnight.""
Renee nodded.
"At 11:46, I received another call. It was Tiana.""
My fingers curled around the paper.
"What did she want?""
"She asked whether Vanessa had contacted me.""
"And what did you say?""
"I told her I hadn't heard from Vanessa.""
"Why?""
"Because I was frightened, Darius. Tiana sounded furious. She said Vanessa had stolen something that belonged to her.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
The memories were coming back.
Tiana had attended Vanessa's funeral. She had cried beside me. She had helped organize Jalen's belongings. She had even offered to take care of him when I returned to work.
I had thought she was being compassionate.
Now every memory felt different.
"Did you tell the police?"" I asked.
Renee nodded.
"They interviewed me. But by then, Tiana had already told them Vanessa had been drinking that evening.""
"Vanessa barely drank.""
"I know.""
"Did the police test her blood?""
Renee hesitated.
"That's another thing.""
She opened the envelope and removed a photocopy of an old report.
"According to this, the original toxicology report was amended.""
I stared at the page.
The first report showed no significant alcohol in Vanessa's system.
The amended report listed a higher reading.
A handwritten note appeared at the bottom.
Supplemental information provided by family member.
"Who provided it?""
Renee pointed to the signature.
Tiana.
My phone slipped slightly in my hand.
"She gave them false information?""
"I don't know what she told them. But I know Vanessa called me sober that night.""
I stared at the report.
Then I heard Micah laughing in the kitchen.
For one brief moment, I wanted to pretend this wasn't happening.
I wanted to return to a world where my wife was simply a difficult woman who had made a terrible mistake.
But the documents were real.
The money was missing.
And my son had been starving.
My phone rang.
It was Margaret, my attorney.
"Darius, I received the bank documents. We have a serious problem.""
"What is it?""
"The transfer authorization contains more than your signature.""
"What else?""
"There's a notarized statement claiming Vanessa gave Tiana permission to use the trust for household expenses.""
I looked at Renee.
"That's impossible.""
Margaret continued.
"There's something else. The document was notarized six days before Vanessa's accident.""
My sister covered her mouth.
I lowered my voice.
"Margaret, can you stop the remaining transfer?""
"I'm filing an emergency injunction. But I need you to send me every document you have.""
"I will.""
After the call, Renee placed a hand on my arm.
"Darius, there's something I haven't told you.""
I turned.
"What?""
She swallowed.
"The night Vanessa died, Tiana came to my house.""
"When?""
"About an hour after the accident.""
"Why?""
Renee looked toward the kitchen.
Then she whispered:
"She wanted me to sign a statement saying Vanessa had been planning to give her the money.""
I stared at her.
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because she threatened to destroy our family.""
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.
A new message from Tiana appeared.
It contained a photograph.
Vanessa was standing in a hospital room, holding a newborn baby.
May you like
Below the photograph was one sentence.
*You have no idea what your first wife kept from you.*
