Chapter 7: The Man Who Was Supposed to Die
“## Chapter 7: The Man Who Was Supposed to Die
“Because I was supposed to be the one who died that nightBecause I was supposed to be the one who died that night.””
My father stared at Thomas as though he had just confessed to murdering someone.””
My father stared at Thomas as though he had just confessed to murdering someone.
“What does that mean?””
Thomas slowly lowered himself into the chair beside the bed.
“It means Laura wasn't supposed to be in that car.””
Claire covered her mouth.
I looked.
“What does that mean?””
Thomas slowly lowered himself into the chair beside the bed.
“It means Laura wasn't supposed to be in that car.””
Claire covered her mouth.
I looked between them.
“Then who was?””
Thomas lifted his eyes.
“Me.””
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
My father stepped closer.
“Explain.””
“Eight between them.
“Then who was?””
Thomas lifted his eyes.
“Me.””
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
My father stepped closer.
“Explain.””
“Eight years ago, I discovered that Michael was using Robert's old business accounts to transfer money into companies that didn't exist. I confronted him. He told me years ago, I discovered that Michael was using Robert's old business accounts to transfer money into companies that didn't exist.
I confronted him. He told me to stay out of it.””
“And you didn't?””
“No. I contacted Laura because she had access to the original financial records. She knew about the missing money, and she had discovered something even worse.””
“What?””
“Robert had been secretly paying people to to stay out of it.””
“And you didn't?””
“No. I contacted Laura because she had access to the original financial records. She knew about the missing money, and she had discovered something even worse.””
“What?””
“Robert had been secretly paying people to conceal the truth about Emma's birth.””
I looked at Claire.
She was staring at the floor.
Thomas continued.
“Laura wanted the original documents taken to an attorney. She believed that if Michael knew she had them conceal the truth about Emma's birth.””
I looked at Claire.
She was staring at the floor.
Thomas continued.
“Laura wanted the original documents taken to an attorney. She believed that if Michael knew she had them, he would destroy the evidence. We arranged to meet near the old bridge.””
“Why were you supposed to die?”” Dad asked.
“Because Michael knew I was the only person who could identify the person who had been altering the accounts. He wanted me gone, he would destroy the evidence. We arranged to meet near the old bridge.””
“Why were you supposed to die?”” Dad asked.
“Because Michael knew I was the only person who could identify the person who had been altering the accounts. He wanted me gone before I could testify.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“So someone planned to kill you?””
Thomas nodded.
“I received a warning two days before the accident. An anonymous message told before I could testify.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“So someone planned to kill you?””
Thomas nodded.
“I received a warning two days before the accident. An anonymous message told me to stop investigating. I ignored it.””
He paused.
“On the night of the crash, Laura arrived in her car. I was already waiting. We were supposed to transfer the documents and leave separately.””
“What happened?”” I me to stop investigating. I ignored it.””
He paused.
“On the night of the crash, Laura arrived in her car. I was already waiting. We were supposed to transfer the documents and leave separately.””
“What happened?”” I asked.
Thomas looked at me.
“Laura noticed a vehicle following her. She recognized the driver.””
“Who?””
“Michael.””
Thomas took a breath.
“She told me to get into her car. We thought we could lose asked.
Thomas looked at me.
“Laura noticed a vehicle following her. She recognized the driver.””
“Who?””
“Michael.””
Thomas took a breath.
“She told me to get into her car. We thought we could lose him by taking the road toward the bridge. But Michael wasn't trying to follow us anymore.
He was trying to force us him by taking the road toward the bridge. But Michael wasn't trying to follow us anymore. He was trying to force us off the road.””
Dad's hands curled into fists.
“And then?””
“His car struck the passenger side. I was thrown against the door. Laura lost off the road.””
Dad's hands curled into fists.
“And then?””
“His car struck the passenger side. I was thrown against the door. Laura lost control.””
I could barely breathe.
“Did she die immediately?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No. The car stopped against the guardrail. She was conscious. I was injured, but I managed to crawl out through the broken passenger window control.””
I could barely breathe.
“Did she die immediately?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No. The car stopped against the guardrail. She was conscious. I was injured, but I managed to crawl out through the broken passenger window.””
He looked at the floor.
“Laura was still inside.””
I clutched the yellow sweater.
“What did she say?””
Thomas's eyes filled.
“She asked me to save the documents.””
I shook my head.
“Not the documents. What did she say to you?””
He.””
He looked at the floor.
“Laura was still inside.””
I clutched the yellow sweater.
“What did she say?””
Thomas's eyes filled.
“She asked me to save the documents.””
I shook my head.
“Not the documents. What did she say to you?””
He looked directly at me.
“She said, 'Tell Emma I loved her. And don't let them take her away from Daniel.''”
My father closed his eyes.
A tear ran looked directly at me.
“She said, 'Tell Emma I loved her. And don't let them take her away from Daniel.''”
My father closed his eyes.
A tear ran down his cheek.
Thomas continued.
“I tried to pull her out, but another car appeared. Someone got out and approached us.””
“Michael?””
“I thought so. I couldn't see clearly. I had blood in my down his cheek.
Thomas continued.
“I tried to pull her out, but another car appeared. Someone got out and approached us.””
“Michael?””
“I thought so. I couldn't see clearly. I had blood in my eyes. The person took the document case from the back seat.””
“Did they help Laura?””
Thomas shook his head.
“They left.””
My father's voice became a whisper.
“And you?””
“I lost consciousness again. eyes. The person took the document case from the back seat.””
“Did they help Laura?””
Thomas shook his head.
“They left.””
My father's voice became a whisper.
“And you?””
“I lost consciousness again. When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. Michael had arranged for me to be admitted under a false name. He told everyone I was an unidentified passenger and then claimed the patient had died.””
Dad stared.
“You were officially declared dead?””
“No When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. Michael had arranged for me to be admitted under a false name. He told everyone I was an unidentified passenger and then claimed the patient had died.””
Dad stared.
“You were officially declared dead?””
“No. The hospital records were altered to suggest I had been transferred elsewhere. Michael told me that if I returned, I would be arrested for Laura's death.””
“And. The hospital records were altered to suggest I had been transferred elsewhere. Michael told me that if I returned, I would be arrested for Laura's death.””
“And Claire helped him?””
Thomas looked at her.
“She visited me in the hospital. She told me Laura had died and that the police were looking for me.””
Claire began crying.
“I was trying to protect everyone.””
“By Claire helped him?””
Thomas looked at her.
“She visited me in the hospital. She told me Laura had died and that the police were looking for me.””
Claire began crying.
“I was trying to protect everyone.””
“By hiding a survivor of a car crash?””
“I didn't know what else to do!””
My father stepped toward her.
“Did you know Michael had rammed the car?””
hiding a survivor of a car crash?””
“I didn't know what else to do!””
My father stepped toward her.
“Did you know Michael had rammed the car?””
Claire shook her head.
“I knew he was supposed to retrieve the papers. I didn't know he'd do that.””
Thomas's expression hardened.
“You knew enough to pay for the brake inspection three days earlier.””
ClaireClaire shook her head.
“I knew he was supposed to retrieve the papers. I didn't know he'd do that.””
Thomas's expression hardened.
“You knew enough to pay for the brake inspection three days earlier.””
Claire looked at him.
“I wanted the car taken off the road!””
Dad turned.
“What?””
Claire swallowed.
“Laura had been driving an unsafe vehicle. I wanted a mechanic to find looked at him.
“I wanted the car taken off the road!””
Dad turned.
“What?””
Claire swallowed.
“Laura had been driving an unsafe vehicle. I wanted a mechanic to find something wrong with it so she would have to stop using it.””
Thomas shook his head.
“That is not what the payment record says.””
He opened his leather case.
Inside was something wrong with it so she would have to stop using it.””
Thomas shook his head.
“That is not what the payment record says.””
He opened his leather case.
Inside was an old receipt.
The amount was small, but the description was clear.
*Vehicle safety inspection — brake system adjustment.*
The date was November 2.
The same date as the photograph of my mother's car.
My father took the receipt.
“ an old receipt.
The amount was small, but the description was clear.
*Vehicle safety inspection — brake system adjustment.*
The date was November 2.
The same date as the photograph of my mother's car.
My father took the receipt.
“Who performed the inspection?””
“Edward Collins,” Thomas answered.
Claire looked up sharply.
“My uncle?””
Thomas nodded.
“He owned a garage outside town. Michael was paying him through a private company.””
Dad staredWho performed the inspection?””
“Edward Collins,” Thomas answered.
Claire looked up sharply.
“My uncle?””
Thomas nodded.
“He owned a garage outside town. Michael was paying him through a private company.””
Dad stared at Claire.
“Your uncle worked on Laura's brakes?””
“He was a mechanic. I didn't know what he was doing.””
“You arranged the at Claire.
“Your uncle worked on Laura's brakes?””
“He was a mechanic. I didn't know what he was doing.””
“You arranged the appointment.””
“I wanted her car checked!””
“Then why did you tell me nothing?””
Claire's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked toward me.
“Of losing you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You didn't appointment.””
“I wanted her car checked!””
“Then why did you tell me nothing?””
Claire's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked toward me.
“Of losing you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You didn't lose me. You never tried to know me.””
Her face crumpled.
Dad turned away.
For a moment, he seemed unable to look at either of us.
Then he picked up his phone.
“I'm calling the police.””
Thomas lose me. You never tried to know me.””
Her face crumpled.
Dad turned away.
For a moment, he seemed unable to look at either of us.
Then he picked up his phone.
“I'm calling the police.””
Thomas raised a hand.
“Daniel, there's something else.””
My father stopped.
“What now?””
“Michael gave me a file before he died.””
I looked at him.
“You said he was dying.””
“He was. He had raised a hand.
“Daniel, there's something else.””
My father stopped.
“What now?””
“Michael gave me a file before he died.””
I looked at him.
“You said he was dying.””
“He was. He had advanced pancreatic cancer. He died three weeks ago.””
Dad stared.
“Why didn't you say that earlier?””
“Because the file contains information that could implicate several people. I needed to make sure the original records were genuine.””
Thomas advanced pancreatic cancer. He died three weeks ago.””
Dad stared.
“Why didn't you say that earlier?””
“Because the file contains information that could implicate several people. I needed to make sure the original records were genuine.””
Thomas removed a thick brown folder.
He placed it on the bed.
Inside were photographs, bank records, medical documents, and copies of emails.
One photograph showed Michael standing outside my mother's house.
Another showed Claire entering removed a thick brown folder.
He placed it on the bed.
Inside were photographs, bank records, medical documents, and copies of emails.
One photograph showed Michael standing outside my mother's house.
Another showed Claire entering a building with him.
The date was November 4.
The day before the accident.
Dad pointed to it.
“What were they doing together?””
“I don't know,” Thomas replied.
“But Michael's notes suggest they met to discuss the transfer of Laura's documents a building with him.
The date was November 4.
The day before the accident.
Dad pointed to it.
“What were they doing together?””
“I don't know,” Thomas replied.
“But Michael's notes suggest they met to discuss the transfer of Laura's documents.””
I studied another photograph.
It showed Claire holding a white envelope.
Behind her stood a woman with silver hair.
I recognized her from the photograph Detective Harris had shown us earlier.
Margaret Collins.
Claire's.””
I studied another photograph.
It showed Claire holding a white envelope.
Behind her stood a woman with silver hair.
I recognized her from the photograph Detective Harris had shown us earlier.
Margaret Collins.
Claire's mother.
“Why was your mother with Michael?”” I asked.
Claire looked at the picture.
Her face changed.
“She told me she was visiting an old friend.””
Thomas shook his head.
“She was helping him.””
“Helping mother.
“Why was your mother with Michael?”” I asked.
Claire looked at the picture.
Her face changed.
“She told me she was visiting an old friend.””
Thomas shook his head.
“She was helping him.””
“Helping him do what?””
“Get the documents away from Laura.””
My father opened the next page.
There was a handwritten note.
**The original agreement must be destroyed before Daniel sees it. The him do what?””
“Get the documents away from Laura.””
My father opened the next page.
There was a handwritten note.
*The original agreement must be destroyed before Daniel sees it. The girl must never learn who her father really is.*
Dad read it twice.
Then he looked at Claire.
“You knew about this?””
She shook her head.
“I swear I didn't.””
Thomas turned the page.
A second note was attached.
This one was written in my mother's handwriting.
*If I disappear girl must never learn who her father really is.*
Dad read it twice.
Then he looked at Claire.
“You knew about this?””
She shook her head.
“I swear I didn't.””
Thomas turned the page.
A second note was attached.
This one was written in my mother's handwriting.
*If I disappear, find Margaret. She knows who ordered the payments. She also knows why Robert wanted Emma hidden.*
My father looked at me.
“Margaret is alive?””
Thomas nodded.
“She was the last person to speak to Laura before the accident.””
Dad immediately, find Margaret. She knows who ordered the payments. She also knows why Robert wanted Emma hidden.**
My father looked at me.
“Margaret is alive?””
Thomas nodded.
“She was the last person to speak to Laura before the accident.””
Dad immediately reached for his phone.
“Then we're finding her.””
But before he could dial, the doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
A moment later, our housekeeper, Mrs. reached for his phone.
“Then we're finding her.””
But before he could dial, the doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
A moment later, our housekeeper, Mrs. Collins, appeared in the bedroom doorway.
“Mr. Bennett?””
Dad turned.
“Yes?””
“There's a woman downstairs asking for Emma.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
The housekeeper looked frightened.
“She says her name is Margaret Collins.””
Claire Collins, appeared in the bedroom doorway.
“Mr. Bennett?””
Dad turned.
“Yes?””
“There's a woman downstairs asking for Emma.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
The housekeeper looked frightened.
“She says her name is Margaret Collins.””
Claire stood so abruptly that her chair fell backward.
“No.””
Dad looked at her.
“Your mother?””
Claire shook her head.
“She can't be here.””
“Why?””
Claire stared toward the stairs.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Because she knows what I did that night.””
