Chapter 8: The Last Recording
Avery stared at her backpack.
“It wasn't doing that before.””
Damon crouched beside it.
“Don't touch it.””
The vibration stopped.
Then started again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Judge Harris nodded toward the bailiff.
“Open it carefully.””
The bailiff approached.
Avery grabbed his sleeve.
“Please don't.””
He stopped.
“Why?””
“Because that's where Mom told me never to look.””
Monique's face drained of color.
Damon turned toward her.
“What did you put in there?””
“Nothing.””
Avery shook her head.
“You did.””
Monique stared at her daughter.
“When?””
“Before you sent me to Dad's.””
Damon slowly stood.
“You searched her backpack?””
Monique said nothing.
“Why?””
“I was looking for the recorder.””
Judge Harris's eyes hardened.
“And did you find it?””
“No.””
“Because Avery hid it.””
Avery nodded.
“Under my mattress.””
Damon looked at the backpack.
“Then what's inside?””
The bailiff opened it.
A small black phone dropped onto the floor.
Nobody spoke.
Damon recognized it.
His old phone.
He hadn't seen it in over a year.
Keisha picked it up.
“Damon?””
He stared.
“That phone was destroyed.””
Marcus whispered, “No.””
Judge Harris asked, “What is it?””
Damon answered.
“My phone.””
“Can you unlock it?””
Damon took it.
His fingers shook.
He entered the passcode.
The screen opened.
There was one video.
Recorded at 2:17 a.m.
The night of the incident.
Damon pressed play.
His own face appeared.
He was sitting in the driver's seat of his car.
Blood was visible on his collar.
Keisha gasped.
Damon whispered, “That's not possible.””
On the recording, Damon looked directly into the camera.
“If you're watching this…”
He stopped.
His younger self looked toward the passenger window.
Then back.
“…then I forgot.””
The courtroom became silent.
The recording continued.
“I don't know what they gave me.””
Damon's eyes filled with tears.
“But I need whoever finds this to understand something.””
He leaned closer to the camera.
“I did not hurt Avery.””
Avery covered her mouth.
Damon's younger self continued.
“I tried to stop him.””
A loud knock sounded on the car window in the video.
Damon looked toward it.
His expression changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
A man's voice came through the glass.
“You have five minutes.””
The younger Damon whispered:
“Raymond.””
The video ended.
Damon dropped the phone.
Keisha picked it up.
“There has to be more.””
“There isn't.””
Marcus stared at the phone.
“Check the messages.””
Damon looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because I remember sending one.””
“To whom?””
“Monique.””
Damon unlocked the messages.
One thread was still there.
The last message had been sent at 2:23 a.m.
*Damon: If anything happens to me, protect Avery. Don't let Raymond near her.*
Monique began crying.
Damon turned toward her.
“You knew.””
“I was trying to protect her.””
“You let me take the blame.””
“I thought Raymond would kill you.””
“You let my daughter think I abandoned her.””
Monique's voice broke.
“I thought that was better than letting her know you were dead.””
Avery stared at her.
“You told me Dad left because he didn't love me.””
Monique covered her face.
“I was wrong.””
“You made me hate him.””
“I know.””
Avery stepped away from her.
“I never hated Dad.””
Damon crouched.
“I know.””
The monitor suddenly flickered.
Raymond's face appeared.
For the first time, they saw him clearly.
He was sitting somewhere dark, wearing a black jacket.
He smiled.
“You found the phone.””
Damon stepped toward the screen.
“You're finished.””
Raymond laughed.
“No, Damon. I'm just getting started.””
Judge Harris stepped forward.
“This court is under my authority. Identify your location.””
Raymond smiled.
“Judge Harris.””
“Yes?””
“You've already heard the confession.””
“What confession?””
Raymond's smile widened.
“The one Damon made before he forgot.””
Damon's face went pale.
“I never confessed.””
“You did.””
“Where?””
Raymond looked directly into the camera.
“In front of your daughter.””
Avery shook her head.
“No.””
Raymond's expression softened.
“Avery, you were very brave that night.””
She backed away.
Damon stood between them and the screen.
“Leave her alone.””
Raymond ignored him.
“You should ask your wife what she did with the original.””
Keisha froze.
Damon looked at her.
“What original?””
Keisha's face changed.
“I don't know.””
Raymond laughed.
“Ask her about the envelope.””
Damon stared at Keisha.
“What envelope?””
She slowly reached into her purse.
Her fingers touched something inside.
Then she stopped.
Damon whispered, “Keisha?””
She pulled out a sealed brown envelope.
Across the front, written in black ink, were four words:
*FOR DAMON — IF I DIE.*
Keisha stared at it.
“I've never seen this before.””
Marcus stepped backward.
“Yes, you have.””
Everyone turned.
Marcus was staring at the envelope.
May you like
And he whispered:
“That's my handwriting.””
