Chapter 13: The Car That Was Never Meant for Her
“Someone switched the cars before she left the cottage.””
Margaret's words echoed through the living room.
I looked at Daniel.
He looked as though someone had punched him.
“What cars?”” he asked.
Margaret took a shaky breath.
“Eleanor arrived at the cottage in her silver Mercedes. She was supposed to leave in the same vehicle after meeting Richard. But Victor had arranged for another car to be parked outside.””
“Why?”” I whispered.
“Because the second car had already been reported for mechanical problems.””
My father stood abruptly.
“No.””
Margaret continued.
“I saw the switch happen. Vanessa gave the keys to Victor. He told the driver to move Eleanor's car around the back and bring the other vehicle to the front.””
Daniel gripped the edge of the table.
“Why didn't you tell the police?””
“I tried. But the next morning, Victor visited me. He showed me photographs of my daughter leaving school.””
Margaret began crying.
“He told me that if I spoke, she would be next.””
I felt sick.
“Did you know Mom was in danger?””
“I knew something was wrong. I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. By the time I reached the accident scene, the police had already taken everything away.””
My father lowered himself into a chair.
“Margaret, I swear I didn't know about the car switch.””
“You knew about the insurance agreement.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
“You signed Eleanor's name.””
“I was told it was a temporary document.””
“You signed a dead woman's name, Richard!””
He didn't defend himself.
I stared at him.
“Dad, did you know Mom was driving a different car?””
“No.””
“Did you know the brakes were defective?””
“I knew there had been a warning.””
“Then why didn't you stop her?””
He looked at me.
“I thought the vehicle had been repaired.””
I shook my head.
“You thought. You assumed. You trusted people who were stealing from her.””
My father began crying again.
I turned away.
Daniel took the phone.
“Margaret, we need that recording.””
“I know.””
“Can you meet us?””
“Yes. But not in Connecticut. There's a hotel near the airport. I'll send you the address.””
“Bring the original documents.””
“I will.””
The call ended.
Olivia immediately contacted the authorities and explained the new information. The officers arranged for Margaret to meet us under police supervision.
Vanessa, meanwhile, had been taken to the station for questioning.
Before leaving, she had requested to speak to Brielle.
My stepsister refused.
She sat beside me on the sofa, staring at her hands.
“Do you hate me?”” she asked.
I looked at her.
“I don't know.””
She nodded.
“I deserve that.””
“You knew Mom had taken my designs.””
“I knew she had some of your mother's things. I didn't know everything.””
“You wore my wings in front of everyone.””
Brielle began crying.
“I know.””
“You watched her rip them off me.””
“I know.””
“And you smiled.””
She covered her face.
“I thought if I stayed on Mom's side, she'd finally be proud of me.””
I stared at her.
That was the saddest thing she had said all night.
For years, Brielle had been rewarded for being exactly what Vanessa wanted.
I had been punished for being myself.
But neither of us had been loved in the way we needed.
“Why did you copy the recording?”” I asked.
Brielle looked up.
“Because I heard Mom say something about the accident. She said she wished she'd never trusted Victor.””
I nodded slowly.
“Thank you for giving us the copy.””
She looked surprised.
“Does that mean you forgive me?””
“No.””
Her face fell.
“But it means I'm willing to find out who you really are without your mother telling you what to do.””
She nodded.
It was the first honest conversation we had ever had.
The following morning, Daniel, Olivia, and I traveled to the hotel where Margaret was waiting.
Two officers accompanied us.
Margaret was sitting in a corner booth.
She was in her late sixties, with silver hair and tired eyes.
When she saw me, she stood.
“Oh, Eleanor's little girl.””
She wrapped her arms around me.
I smelled lavender.
For a moment, I imagined my mother standing beside her.
Margaret held my face between her hands.
“You have her eyes.””
I started crying.
“Did she know she was going to die?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No, sweetheart. She thought she had one more chance to fix everything.””
She sat down and opened her handbag.
Inside was a small metal key.
“Your mother gave me this two days before the accident.””
Daniel recognized it.
“The safety deposit box.””
Margaret nodded.
She handed the key to Olivia.
“The original recording is inside. Along with the first trust agreement and the insurance documents.””
Olivia checked the paperwork.
“We'll need to collect everything formally.””
Margaret nodded.
Then she looked at me.
“There is something I need to tell you before you see the recording.””
“What?””
“Your mother knew Richard had been manipulated. She wasn't planning to destroy him.””
I frowned.
“She wanted to leave him?””
“Yes. But she wanted him to have the chance to tell the truth.””
Margaret reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a folded photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside a car.
A silver Mercedes.
On the windshield was a small white envelope.
I recognized the handwriting.
*For Maya.*
Margaret explained.
“Your mother had already prepared a letter for you. She wanted me to give it to you after she had spoken to the police.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a short note.
My beautiful Maya,
Never let anyone convince you that being kind means being weak. You can forgive someone without allowing them to hurt you again.
And when the time comes to choose your own wings, make them whatever color you want.
I love you beyond every sky.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
Then Margaret spoke again.
“There's another reason I kept the recording.””
“What reason?””
She looked directly at Daniel.
“Because Victor wasn't the person who gave the final instruction to switch the cars.””
Daniel went still.
“Who was?””
Margaret looked at me.
Then she said the name.
“Vanessa.””
I couldn't move.
Olivia immediately asked for clarification.
“Are you certain?””
Margaret nodded.
“I heard her. I saw her hand Victor the keys. And I heard her say that Eleanor would never make it to the police.””
My stomach turned.
The officers exchanged a serious look.
“That's a significant allegation,” one said.
Margaret nodded.
“That's why I kept the recording.””
I looked at her.
“Does the recording prove it?””
She opened the final compartment of her handbag.
Inside was a small digital recorder.
“Yes.””
She placed it on the table.
Then she pressed play.
A woman's voice filled the booth.
Vanessa.
May you like
And the first sentence we heard was:
“Make sure Eleanor never gets to that meeting.””
