Chapter 12: The Video Vanessa Tried to Destroy
Brielle handed Daniel## Chapter 12: The Video Vanessa Tried to Destroy
Brielle handed Daniel the memory card.
Her fingers were trembling.
“Mom doesn't know I copied it the memory card.
Her fingers were trembling.
“Mom doesn't know I copied it,” she whispered.
“She thinks she deleted the only version.””
Daniel examined the tiny card,” she whispered.
“She thinks she deleted the only version.””
Daniel examined the tiny card.
“Where did you find this recording?””
“In her office. There's a security computer behind the bookshelf. Mom thought I was too stupid to figure out how it worked.””
I looked at my.
“Where did you find this recording?””
“In her office. There's a security computer behind the bookshelf. Mom thought I was too stupid to figure out how it worked.””
I looked at my stepsister.
“Why didn't you tell me before?””
Brielle's eyes filled.
“Because I was scared of her.””
I wanted to tell her that I had been scared too.
That I had spent years trying to avoid stepsister.
“Why didn't you tell me before?””
Brielle's eyes filled.
“Because I was scared of her.””
I wanted to tell her that I had been scared too.
That I had spent years trying to avoid Vanessa's anger, making myself smaller so she wouldn't have another reason to punish me.
But tonight wasn't about what we had suffered.
It was about what my mother had left behind.
“Can we watch Vanessa's anger, making myself smaller so she wouldn't have another reason to punish me.
But tonight wasn't about what we had suffered.
It was about what my mother had left behind.
“Can we watch it?”” I asked.
Daniel looked toward the officers.
“We need to give this to them.””
Brielle shook her head.
“Please. Just let me explain what it is first.””
One officer stepped forward.
“Miss Bennett, if this is evidence connected to the investigation it?”” I asked.
Daniel looked toward the officers.
“We need to give this to them.””
Brielle shook her head.
“Please. Just let me explain what it is first.””
One officer stepped forward.
“Miss Bennett, if this is evidence connected to the investigation, we need to preserve it.””
Daniel nodded.
“Of course.””
He handed over the memory card.
The officer placed it in an evidence envelope and called his supervisor.
Twenty minutes later, we were, we need to preserve it.””
Daniel nodded.
“Of course.””
He handed over the memory card.
The officer placed it in an evidence envelope and called his supervisor.
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in the living room.
Vanessa had been taken outside for questioning. My father sat on the sofa with his head in his hands.
Brielle sat opposite me.
She hadn't sitting in the living room.
Vanessa had been taken outside for questioning. My father sat on the sofa with his head in his hands.
Brielle sat opposite me.
She hadn't stopped crying.
Daniel stood near the window, speaking quietly with Olivia Collins, who had arrived after receiving our call.
The officer returned with a laptop.
“We've made a forensic copy of the file,” he explained.
“We'll preserve the original and review stopped crying.
Daniel stood near the window, speaking quietly with Olivia Collins, who had arrived after receiving our call.
The officer returned with a laptop.
“We've made a forensic copy of the file,” he explained.
“We'll preserve the original and review the copy.””
He inserted the card.
A video appeared.
The timestamp read:
*NOVEMBER 12 — 8:43 P.M.*
Two days before my mother's accident the copy.””
He inserted the card.
A video appeared.
The timestamp read:
*NOVEMBER 12 — 8:43 P.M.*
Two days before my mother's accident.
The footage showed Vanessa's office.
She was sitting behind her desk, speaking to someone on the phone.
Her voice was clear.
“Margaret, you need.
The footage showed Vanessa's office.
She was sitting behind her desk, speaking to someone on the phone.
Her voice was clear.
“Margaret, you need to understand that Eleanor isn't going to stop.””
A pause.
Then Vanessa laughed.
“No. Richard still believes he can fix everything. That's what makes him useful.””
I looked at my father.
He slowly raised to understand that Eleanor isn't going to stop.””
A pause.
Then Vanessa laughed.
“No. Richard still believes he can fix everything. That's what makes him useful.””
I looked at my father.
He slowly raised his head.
On the screen, Vanessa opened a drawer and removed a folder.
“I have the original signatures. I have the company records. And I have the agreement Richard signed.””
Another pause.
Then she said something that made my skin crawl.
“If Eleanor goes to the police, she'll lose more his head.
On the screen, Vanessa opened a drawer and removed a folder.
“I have the original signatures. I have the company records. And I have the agreement Richard signed.””
Another pause.
Then she said something that made my skin crawl.
“If Eleanor goes to the police, she'll lose more than her collection.””
Daniel moved closer to the laptop.
“Keep watching.””
Vanessa leaned back.
“Victor has already arranged everything. We just need Margaret to cooperate.””
The video continued.
A second person entered the room.
than her collection.””
Daniel moved closer to the laptop.
“Keep watching.””
Vanessa leaned back.
“Victor has already arranged everything. We just need Margaret to cooperate.””
The video continued.
A second person entered the room.
A woman.
She wore a dark coat and carried a handbag.
I recognized her from my mother's photographs.
Margaret Collins.
She looked frightened.
Vanessa stood.
“You're late.””
Margaret placed a folder on the desk.
“I won't do this anymore.””
Vanessa's smileA woman.
She wore a dark coat and carried a handbag.
I recognized her from my mother's photographs.
Margaret Collins.
She looked frightened.
Vanessa stood.
“You're late.””
Margaret placed a folder on the desk.
“I won't do this anymore.””
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“You signed the documents.””
“Because you told me they were temporary.””
“They were.””
“You used Eleanor's signature.””
disappeared.
“You signed the documents.””
“Because you told me they were temporary.””
“They were.””
“You used Eleanor's signature.””
Vanessa walked around the desk.
“Keep your voice down.””
Margaret stepped backward.
“Richard doesn't know what you've done.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Richard knows exactly enough toVanessa walked around the desk.
“Keep your voice down.””
Margaret stepped backward.
“Richard doesn't know what you've done.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Richard knows exactly enough to be useful.””
My father stood abruptly.
“Turn it off.””
Nobody moved.
“Richard,” Daniel said quietly.
“Sit down.””
My father stared at the screen.
Margaret was still speaking.
“I have copies of be useful.””
My father stood abruptly.
“Turn it off.””
Nobody moved.
“Richard,” Daniel said quietly.
“Sit down.””
My father stared at the screen.
Margaret was still speaking.
“I have copies of everything. If anything happens to Eleanor, I'm going to the authorities.””
Vanessa's expression became cold.
“Then I suggest you think very carefully about your own future.””
The video ended.
For several seconds, the room everything. If anything happens to Eleanor, I'm going to the authorities.””
Vanessa's expression became cold.
“Then I suggest you think very carefully about your own future.””
The video ended.
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Then Olivia spoke.
“This is extremely significant.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Can you identify the date and preserve the original footage?””
“Yes. We'll need to establish the chain of custody, but the footage may corroborate the documents we've found.””
I looked at Brielle.
was silent.
Then Olivia spoke.
“This is extremely significant.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Can you identify the date and preserve the original footage?””
“Yes. We'll need to establish the chain of custody, but the footage may corroborate the documents we've found.””
I looked at Brielle.
“You knew this was on the computer?””
She nodded.
“I found it last month when Mom asked me to delete some old recordings.””
“Why did you copy it?””
Brielle wiped her cheeks.
“Because I heard her talking about Grandma Eleanor.””
I frowned.
““You knew this was on the computer?””
She nodded.
“I found it last month when Mom asked me to delete some old recordings.””
“Why did you copy it?””
Brielle wiped her cheeks.
“Because I heard her talking about Grandma Eleanor.””
I frowned.
“Grandma?””
She nodded.
“She said Eleanor had left something behind, and that if anyone found it, the company would be finished.””
I looked atGrandma?””
She nodded.
“She said Eleanor had left something behind, and that if anyone found it, the company would be finished.””
I looked at the laptop.
“Did she say anything else?””
Brielle hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a folded piece of paper.
“I found this in her desk.””
Daniel unfolded it.
It was a handwritten note.
The writing was hurried, almost frantic.
**Marg the laptop.
“Did she say anything else?””
Brielle hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a folded piece of paper.
“I found this in her desk.””
Daniel unfolded it.
It was a handwritten note.
The writing was hurried, almost frantic.
*Margaret — If you have kept your copy, destroy it. The girl must never see the original recording. Victor says he can make the problem disappear, but I need you to cooperate.*
At the bottom was Vanessa's signature.
Olivia examined it.
aret — If you have kept your copy, destroy it. The girl must never see the original recording. Victor says he can make the problem disappear, but I need you to cooperate.**
At the bottom was Vanessa's signature.
Olivia examined it.
“This could be important.””
My father looked at the note.
“Margaret kept a copy?””
Brielle nodded.
“Mom mentioned it once. She said Margaret had hidden something in a place nobody would ever search“This could be important.””
My father looked at the note.
“Margaret kept a copy?””
Brielle nodded.
“Mom mentioned it once. She said Margaret had hidden something in a place nobody would ever search.””
Daniel looked toward Olivia.
“Do you know where she is?””
Olivia opened her laptop.
“I've been investigating the property records. The house connected to Margaret is still owned by Victor's company.””
“Can we contact her?””
“I found a possible current telephone number.””
She dialed.
We waited.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
A woman answered.
“Hello?””
Olivia spoke carefully.
.””
Daniel looked toward Olivia.
“Do you know where she is?””
Olivia opened her laptop.
“I've been investigating the property records. The house connected to Margaret is still owned by Victor's company.””
“Can we contact her?””
“I found a possible current telephone number.””
She dialed.
We waited.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
A woman answered.
“Hello?””
Olivia spoke carefully.
“May I speak with Margaret Collins?””
There was a long silence.
“Who is this?””
“My name is Olivia Collins. I'm contacting you regarding the Eleanor Bennett Collection.””
The woman inhal“May I speak with Margaret Collins?””
There was a long silence.
“Who is this?””
“My name is Olivia Collins. I'm contacting you regarding the Eleanor Bennett Collection.””
The woman inhaled sharply.
“I told them I wouldn't talk.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Margaret? This is Daniel Bennett.””
Another silence.
Then the woman began crying.
“Daniel?””
“It's me.””
“I thought they had finally found you.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“ed sharply.
“I told them I wouldn't talk.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Margaret? This is Daniel Bennett.””
Another silence.
Then the woman began crying.
“Daniel?””
“It's me.””
“I thought they had finally found you.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Margaret, Maya is here.””
There was a sharp intake of breath.
“Maya?””
I stepped closer to the phone.
“Yes.””
“Oh, sweetheart.””
Her voice trembled.
“I have been waiting seven years to hear your voice.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Why didn't you comeMargaret, Maya is here.””
There was a sharp intake of breath.
“Maya?””
I stepped closer to the phone.
“Yes.””
“Oh, sweetheart.””
Her voice trembled.
“I have been waiting seven years to hear your voice.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Why didn't you come to find me?””
“Because Vanessa threatened me. She told me that if I ever contacted you, she would make sure you lost everything your mother left you.””
I swallowed.
“Do you have the original documents?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Yes.””
Daniel looked at Olivia.
“Where are you?””
“Connect to find me?””
“Because Vanessa threatened me. She told me that if I ever contacted you, she would make sure you lost everything your mother left you.””
I swallowed.
“Do you have the original documents?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Yes.””
Daniel looked at Olivia.
“Where are you?””
“Connecticut. But I can't meet you here.””
“Why not?””
The woman lowered her voice.
“Because Victor knows where I live.””
I felt a chill.
“Then come somewhere safe,” I said.
Margaret began crying again.
“I want to. But there's somethingicut. But I can't meet you here.””
“Why not?””
The woman lowered her voice.
“Because Victor knows where I live.””
I felt a chill.
“Then come somewhere safe,” I said.
Margaret began crying again.
“I want to. But there's something you need to understand first.””
“What?””
“Your mother didn't just discover that Vanessa and Victor had stolen her designs.””
I leaned closer.
“What else did she discover?””
Margaret's voice dropped to you need to understand first.””
“What?””
“Your mother didn't just discover that Vanessa and Victor had stolen her designs.””
I leaned closer.
“What else did she discover?””
Margaret's voice dropped to a whisper.
“She discovered that the company had been using her name to insure a collection of original costumes that were never supposed to leave her studio.””
Daniel frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means that after a whisper.
“She discovered that the company had been using her name to insure a collection of original costumes that were never supposed to leave her studio.””
Daniel frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means that after Eleanor died, Victor claimed the collection had been destroyed in the accident. He collected the insurance money.””
My father stood.
“How much?””
Margaret answered.
“Nearly four million dollars.””
I stared at her.
Four million.
My mother's work had been stolen, sold, and then declared destroyed so Eleanor died, Victor claimed the collection had been destroyed in the accident. He collected the insurance money.””
My father stood.
“How much?””
Margaret answered.
“Nearly four million dollars.””
I stared at her.
Four million.
My mother's work had been stolen, sold, and then declared destroyed so someone could collect insurance money.
“Who received the money?”” Daniel asked.
Margaret paused.
“Victor received most of it. Vanessa received a percentage.””
“And Richard?””
Another silence.
Then Margaret said someone could collect insurance money.
“Who received the money?”” Daniel asked.
Margaret paused.
“Victor received most of it. Vanessa received a percentage.””
“And Richard?””
Another silence.
Then Margaret said, “Richard received something too.””
My father lowered his head.
I looked at him.
“What did you receive?””
He didn't answer.
Margaret continued.
“But the worst, “Richard received something too.””
My father lowered his head.
I looked at him.
“What did you receive?””
He didn't answer.
Margaret continued.
“But the worst part is that the insurance claim included something that never existed.””
“What?”” I asked.
“A signed statement from Eleanor Bennett.””
I frowned.
“Mom was dead part is that the insurance claim included something that never existed.””
“What?”” I asked.
“A signed statement from Eleanor Bennett.””
I frowned.
“Mom was dead.””
“I know.””
Margaret's voice broke.
“That's why I kept the original. Because I saw who signed it.””
Daniel leaned toward the phone.
“Who?””
Margaret took a shaky breath.
Then she said:
“Richard Bennett signed Eleanor's name.””
I turned toward my father.
He looked.””
“I know.””
Margaret's voice broke.
“That's why I kept the original. Because I saw who signed it.””
Daniel leaned toward the phone.
“Who?””
Margaret took a shaky breath.
Then she said:
“Richard Bennett signed Eleanor's name.””
I turned toward my father.
He looked up.
His face was wet with tears.
And before I could ask another question, he whispered:
“I didn't know what I was signing.””
Margaret heard him.
“Richard?””
He stepped toward the phone.
“Margaret, please. You have to understand—”
“No,” she interrupted up.
His face was wet with tears.
And before I could ask another question, he whispered:
“I didn't know what I was signing.””
Margaret heard him.
“Richard?””
He stepped toward the phone.
“Margaret, please. You have to understand—”
“No,” she interrupted.
“I understood seven years ago. I understood when Eleanor died, and you let everyone believe she had signed a document she never even saw.””
My father collapsed into the chair.
I stared at him.
“Dad, what did you do?””
He covered his face.
“I was.
“I understood seven years ago. I understood when Eleanor died, and you let everyone believe she had signed a document she never even saw.””
My father collapsed into the chair.
I stared at him.
“Dad, what did you do?””
He covered his face.
“I was trying to save you.””
“From what?””
He looked at me through his tears.
“From the people who had already decided your mother was worth more to them dead than alive.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Margaret said something that changed the direction of everything.
trying to save you.””
“From what?””
He looked at me through his tears.
“From the people who had already decided your mother was worth more to them dead than alive.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Margaret said something that changed the direction of everything.
“Maya, I still have the original recording from your mother's final meeting with Victor.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Where?””
“In a safety deposit box. Eleanor gave“Maya, I still have the original recording from your mother's final meeting with Victor.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Where?””
“In a safety deposit box. Eleanor gave me the key two days before she died.””
My heart began pounding.
“Does it show what happened to Mom?””
Margaret hesitated.
“It shows what happened before the accident. And it proves who was responsible for making sure she never reached the police.””
I looked at my father.
He was staring me the key two days before she died.””
My heart began pounding.
“Does it show what happened to Mom?””
Margaret hesitated.
“It shows what happened before the accident. And it proves who was responsible for making sure she never reached the police.””
I looked at my father.
He was staring at the floor.
Then Margaret added:
“But Maya, there's one more thing. Your mother wasn't supposed to be driving that night.””
I froze.
“What do you mean?””
Margaret whispered:
“Someone switched at the floor.
Then Margaret added:
“But Maya, there's one more thing. Your mother wasn't supposed to be driving that night.””
I froze.
“What do you mean?””
Margaret whispered:
“Someone switched the cars before she left the cottage.””
May you like
And suddenly, the accident I had spent seven years believing I understood became something far more terrifying. the cars before she left the cottage.””
And suddenly, the accident I had spent seven years believing I understood became something far more terrifying.
