Chapter 1: The Photograph in the Evidence Bag
The police officer didn't look at me when he said my wife's death might not have been an accident.
He looked at Vanessa.
And the way she stared at the photograph inside that evidence bag told me she knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Mr. Carter," Officer Reynolds said, "I need you to answer a few questions.""
I tightened my arm around Lily's shoulders.
"About my wife?""
"Yes, sir.""
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
"This is ridiculous," she said.
"Marcus has just buried his wife. Whatever this is, it can wait.""
Officer Reynolds didn't move.
"Ma'am, I wasn't speaking to you.""
Vanessa's cheeks turned red.
I looked down at the photograph in his hand. It showed the rear entrance of St. Mary's Hospital, where Nia had spent the final six weeks of her life.
A black sedan was parked beside the employee entrance.
The driver's door was open.
Someone stood near the trunk.
The photograph was grainy, but I recognized the person immediately.
Vanessa.
My stomach tightened.
"Why do you have a picture of her?"" I asked.
Officer Reynolds glanced at Vanessa.
"Because someone reported seeing her near your wife's vehicle on the night Mrs. Carter died.""
Vanessa let out a sharp laugh.
"That's absurd. I was visiting Nia.""
"At midnight?"" I asked.
She turned toward me.
"Marcus, don't do this.""
"Don't do what?""
"Make me defend myself while you're grieving.""
I stared at her.
Three days ago, this woman had stood beside me at Nia's funeral, holding my hand while I lowered my head over the coffin.
She had whispered that everything would be okay.
Now she was standing in my yard, surrounded by my wife's shattered photographs, trying to explain why she had been near Nia's car.
Officer Reynolds pulled another photograph from his folder.
"This one was taken forty minutes later.""
It showed Vanessa leaving the hospital parking garage.
Alone.
"That's not what it looks like," Vanessa said quickly.
"Then tell me what it looks like," the officer replied.
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Lily tugged at my jacket.
"Daddy?""
I looked down.
Her small fingers were gripping the fabric so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Is Mommy in trouble?""
The question nearly broke me.
I knelt and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"No, baby. Mommy isn't in trouble.""
"Then why is everybody looking at Vanessa?""
I didn't have an answer.
Officer Reynolds crouched slightly to meet Lily's eyes.
"Your mommy isn't in trouble, sweetheart. We're just trying to understand what happened.""
Lily nodded, but she didn't look convinced.
Then she reached into the pocket of her funeral dress.
"I have something.""
She pulled out a small silver key.
I frowned.
"Where did you get that?""
"Mommy gave it to me.""
"When?""
"Before she went to sleep at the hospital.""
My heart began pounding.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Lily looked toward Vanessa.
"Mommy told me not to tell anyone if the lady with the red nails came back.""
The yard went silent.
I slowly turned toward Vanessa.
Her fingernails were painted bright red.
Officer Reynolds noticed them too.
"Miss?"" he asked.
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Children say strange things. Especially when they're traumatized.""
Lily immediately stepped behind me.
"Mommy said your name," she whispered.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"That's enough, Lily.""
"Don't speak to her," I snapped.
Officer Reynolds stood.
"Mr. Carter, I'd like to take a look at that key.""
I handed it over.
He examined the tiny brass number engraved on its surface.
"Locker 214," he murmured.
"Where?""
He looked at me.
"St. Mary's Hospital.""
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her purse.
"I'm leaving.""
Officer Reynolds stepped in front of her.
"Not yet.""
"You cannot detain me for standing in someone's yard!""
"I haven't detained you. But I would strongly recommend you stay available for questioning.""
She looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
"You'll regret believing this.""
I didn't answer.
She walked toward her car, stepping over the broken frame of our wedding photograph.
I watched her leave.
Then Officer Reynolds lowered his voice.
"There's something else you should know, Mr. Carter.""
"What?""
"Your wife called the police the night before she died.""
My chest tightened.
"What did she report?""
He glanced at the key.
"She said someone had been entering her hospital room without permission.""
I felt the ground shift beneath my feet.
"Who?""
Officer Reynolds looked toward the driveway where Vanessa's car had disappeared.
"She didn't give us a name.""
He paused.
"But she left a message.""
He opened his folder and read the final sentence aloud.
"Tell Marcus that the woman he trusts is not the only person hiding something.""
I stared at him.
May you like
Because suddenly, I wasn't sure who my wife had been afraid of.
And I wasn't sure whether I was ready to find out.
