Chapter 8: The Woman Who Saw Everything
Margaret Collins was standing in our entrance hall when I reached the bottom of the stairs.
She wore a long beige coat and held Woman Who Saw Everything
Margaret Collins was standing in our entrance hall when I reached the bottom of the stairs.
She wore a long beige coat and held a wooden walking stick in her right hand. Her silver hair was neatly pinned, and her face was thin but carefully made up.
She looked older than the photograph Detective Harris had shown us.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
They a wooden walking stick in her right hand. Her silver hair was neatly pinned, and her face was thin but carefully made up.
She looked older than the photograph Detective Harris had shown us.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
They were the same pale blue as Claire's.
And when she saw me, something in her expression softened.
“Emma,” she whispered.
I stopped two steps above the floor.
“Who are you?””
Margaret leaned heavily against her walking stick.
“My name is Margaret were the same pale blue as Claire's.
And when she saw me, something in her expression softened.
“Emma,” she whispered.
I stopped two steps above the floor.
“Who are you?””
Margaret leaned heavily against her walking stick.
“My name is Margaret Collins. I'm Claire's mother.””
“I know.””
She looked toward the staircase.
“Is Claire here?””
“Yes.””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Then I suppose it's time.””
My father came down behind me.
“Time for what?””
Margaret looked at him.
Collins. I'm Claire's mother.””
“I know.””
She looked toward the staircase.
“Is Claire here?””
“Yes.””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Then I suppose it's time.””
My father came down behind me.
“Time for what?””
Margaret looked at him.
“Time for you to hear the truth about Laura.””
Dad studied her carefully.
“Were you at the bridge the night she died?””
Margaret nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did“Time for you to hear the truth about Laura.””
Dad studied her carefully.
“Were you at the bridge the night she died?””
Margaret nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you see what happened?””
“I saw more than I should have.””
She glanced toward the hallway.
Then Claire appeared.
For a moment, mother and daughter simply stared at each other.
“Mother,” Claire whispered.
Margaret tightened her grip on the walking stick.
“Don't call me you see what happened?””
“I saw more than I should have.””
She glanced toward the hallway.
Then Claire appeared.
For a moment, mother and daughter simply stared at each other.
“Mother,” Claire whispered.
Margaret tightened her grip on the walking stick.
“Don't call me that as though nothing happened.””
Claire began crying.
“I thought you were dead.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't you contact me?””
Margaret gave a sad smile.
“Because you were the reason I had to disappear.””
Claire looked as if she had been slapped that as though nothing happened.””
Claire began crying.
“I thought you were dead.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't you contact me?””
Margaret gave a sad smile.
“Because you were the reason I had to disappear.””
Claire looked as if she had been slapped.
My father stepped between them.
“Perhaps we should sit down.””
Margaret nodded.
We moved into the living room.
Thomas remained near the door.
Margaret sat in the armchair closest to the fireplace. She looked around the room, pausing at the photographs.
My father stepped between them.
“Perhaps we should sit down.””
Margaret nodded.
We moved into the living room.
Thomas remained near the door.
Margaret sat in the armchair closest to the fireplace. She looked around the room, pausing at the photographs on the mantel.
Her gaze settled on a picture of my mother.
“Laura,” she whispered.
Then she turned toward me.
“She loved you very much.””
I sat opposite her.
“Why did she die?””
Margaret on the mantel.
Her gaze settled on a picture of my mother.
“Laura,” she whispered.
Then she turned toward me.
“She loved you very much.””
I sat opposite her.
“Why did she die?””
Margaret looked at Claire.
Then at my father.
“Because she discovered that Robert Bennett had arranged for someone to steal his own granddaughter's inheritance.””
Dad frowned.
“Robert's granddaughter?””
Margaret nodded.
“Robert was a cruel man. He believed every person looked at Claire.
Then at my father.
“Because she discovered that Robert Bennett had arranged for someone to steal his own granddaughter's inheritance.””
Dad frowned.
“Robert's granddaughter?””
Margaret nodded.
“Robert was a cruel man. He believed every person could be controlled if he had enough money or enough information about them.””
She folded her hands.
“Before Emma was born, Robert had already decided that the child would become part of a financial arrangement could be controlled if he had enough money or enough information about them.””
She folded her hands.
“Before Emma was born, Robert had already decided that the child would become part of a financial arrangement.””
I looked at Claire.
“What arrangement?””
Margaret swallowed.
“Claire was young. She was frightened. Robert convinced her that giving Emma to Laura would be the only way to keep the family from being destroyed.””
Claire shook her head.
“That isn't how.””
I looked at Claire.
“What arrangement?””
Margaret swallowed.
“Claire was young. She was frightened. Robert convinced her that giving Emma to Laura would be the only way to keep the family from being destroyed.””
Claire shook her head.
“That isn't how it happened.””
Margaret looked at her.
“Would you like me to tell it differently?””
Claire lowered her eyes.
Margaret continued.
“Robert had created a trust for his descendants. He wanted to control who received the money. When he learned Claire was pregnant, he decided the it happened.””
Margaret looked at her.
“Would you like me to tell it differently?””
Claire lowered her eyes.
Margaret continued.
“Robert had created a trust for his descendants. He wanted to control who received the money. When he learned Claire was pregnant, he decided the baby could become a way to manipulate Daniel.””
Dad's face tightened.
“How?””
“Robert knew Daniel had been told he couldn't have children. He wanted him to marry someone Robert approved baby could become a way to manipulate Daniel.””
Dad's face tightened.
“How?””
“Robert knew Daniel had been told he couldn't have children. He wanted him to marry someone Robert approved of and eventually become the head of the family business.””
My father looked confused.
“But I married Laura.””
“Yes. And Robert hated that.””
Margaret looked at the photograph of my mother.
“Laura was the one person he couldn't of and eventually become the head of the family business.””
My father looked confused.
“But I married Laura.””
“Yes. And Robert hated that.””
Margaret looked at the photograph of my mother.
“Laura was the one person he couldn't control. She had her own money, her own company, and the courage to challenge him.””
Thomas leaned forward.
“Why did Laura agree to adopt Emma?””
“Because she knew what Robert was planning. She wanted to protect the baby.””
Margaret paused.
“She also wanted to protect Claire control. She had her own money, her own company, and the courage to challenge him.””
Thomas leaned forward.
“Why did Laura agree to adopt Emma?””
“Because she knew what Robert was planning. She wanted to protect the baby.””
Margaret paused.
“She also wanted to protect Claire. She believed that if Claire remained in Robert's household, he would use the pregnancy against her for the rest of her life.””
Claire covered her face.
My father shook his head.
“So Laura adopted Emma to protect her from Robert?””
“Yes.””
. She believed that if Claire remained in Robert's household, he would use the pregnancy against her for the rest of her life.””
Claire covered her face.
My father shook his head.
“So Laura adopted Emma to protect her from Robert?””
“Yes.””
“And you knew?””
“I helped arrange it.””
Dad stood.
“You knew all along and never told me?””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“After Laura died.””
He looked at her sharply.
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Margaret glanced at Claire.
“Because she threatened“And you knew?””
“I helped arrange it.””
Dad stood.
“You knew all along and never told me?””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“After Laura died.””
He looked at her sharply.
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Margaret glanced at Claire.
“Because she threatened me.””
Claire looked up.
“Mother!””
“You were frightened, Claire. You said Robert had people watching the house. You begged me to keep quiet because you believed he would destroy everyone.””
“But Robert me.””
Claire looked up.
“Mother!””
“You were frightened, Claire. You said Robert had people watching the house. You begged me to keep quiet because you believed he would destroy everyone.””
“But Robert was dead by then,” Dad said.
Margaret nodded.
“Yes. But his influence wasn't.””
She reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
“I kept this was dead by then,” Dad said.
Margaret nodded.
“Yes. But his influence wasn't.””
She reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
“I kept this because Laura asked me to.””
My father took it.
Inside was a statement from a bank.
The date was November 5, 2018.
The day of the accident.
There were three transfers.
One to an account belonging to Michael Reed.
One to Edward Collins.
And one to a company registered because Laura asked me to.””
My father took it.
Inside was a statement from a bank.
The date was November 5, 2018.
The day of the accident.
There were three transfers.
One to an account belonging to Michael Reed.
One to Edward Collins.
And one to a company registered in the name of Claire Bennett.
Dad stared at the figures.
“What were these payments for?””
Margaret answered.
“Michael was paid to retrieve the documents. Edward was paid to ensure Laura couldn't leave the bridge. Claire was supposed to receive a final payment once the trust agreement in the name of Claire Bennett.
Dad stared at the figures.
“What were these payments for?””
Margaret answered.
“Michael was paid to retrieve the documents. Edward was paid to ensure Laura couldn't leave the bridge. Claire was supposed to receive a final payment once the trust agreement was destroyed.””
Claire jumped from her chair.
“No! That's not true!””
Margaret didn't move.
“You signed the agreement.””
“I didn't know Edward would hurt her!””
“You knew what he was supposed to do.””
“I thought he was going to scare her!””
My father looked at Claire.
“Did you arrange was destroyed.””
Claire jumped from her chair.
“No! That's not true!””
Margaret didn't move.
“You signed the agreement.””
“I didn't know Edward would hurt her!””
“You knew what he was supposed to do.””
“I thought he was going to scare her!””
My father looked at Claire.
“Did you arrange for Laura to be attacked?””
Claire began sobbing.
“I wanted the documents. I wanted the money. I wanted her to stop controlling everything!””
“Answer me!””
“I didn't tell anyone to kill her!””
The room fell silent.
Margaret's expression for Laura to be attacked?””
Claire began sobbing.
“I wanted the documents. I wanted the money. I wanted her to stop controlling everything!””
“Answer me!””
“I didn't tell anyone to kill her!””
The room fell silent.
Margaret's expression remained steady.
“Laura knew you were involved. She called me before she went to the bridge. She told me she was afraid.””
I gripped the edge of my remained steady.
“Laura knew you were involved. She called me before she went to the bridge. She told me she was afraid.””
I gripped the edge of my chair.
“What did she say?””
Margaret looked at me.
“She told me she had discovered that Claire was using Emma's adoption records to move money from the trust. She wanted me to stop it.””
“Why didn't you?””
“I tried.””
Margaret's voice broke.
“I called Edward chair.
“What did she say?””
Margaret looked at me.
“She told me she had discovered that Claire was using Emma's adoption records to move money from the trust. She wanted me to stop it.””
“Why didn't you?””
“I tried.””
Margaret's voice broke.
“I called Edward. I told him to leave her alone. He said he had everything under control.””
Thomas stepped forward.
“Did you know Michael was driving the second vehicle?””
Margaret. I told him to leave her alone. He said he had everything under control.””
Thomas stepped forward.
“Did you know Michael was driving the second vehicle?””
Margaret nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you see him hit Laura's car?””
“Yes.””
Thomas's jaw tightened.
“Why didn't you tell the police?””
Margaret looked down nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you see him hit Laura's car?””
“Yes.””
Thomas's jaw tightened.
“Why didn't you tell the police?””
Margaret looked down.
“Because Edward threatened to kill Claire.””
Claire began shaking her head.
“Stop.””
Margaret continued.
“He told me that if I spoke, he would make sure my daughter disappeared. He showed me a photograph of Claire leaving the house.””
Dad looked furious.
.
“Because Edward threatened to kill Claire.””
Claire began shaking her head.
“Stop.””
Margaret continued.
“He told me that if I spoke, he would make sure my daughter disappeared. He showed me a photograph of Claire leaving the house.””
Dad looked furious.
“So you stayed silent?””
“I was afraid.””
“And Laura died because everyone was afraid.””
Margaret began crying.
“Yes.””
I looked at her.
“Did Mom know you were there?””
Marg“So you stayed silent?””
“I was afraid.””
“And Laura died because everyone was afraid.””
Margaret began crying.
“Yes.””
I looked at her.
“Did Mom know you were there?””
Margaret nodded.
“She saw me after the crash.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“What?””
“She was still alive when I reached the car. She recognized me. She asked me to help Thomas.””
Thomas lowered his head.
“She toldaret nodded.
“She saw me after the crash.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“What?””
“She was still alive when I reached the car. She recognized me. She asked me to help Thomas.””
Thomas lowered his head.
“She told me to take the document case and get it to Daniel,” Margaret continued.
“Then she asked me to make sure Emma never learned the truth from Claire.””
I looked at my father.
“Did Mom say me to take the document case and get it to Daniel,” Margaret continued.
“Then she asked me to make sure Emma never learned the truth from Claire.””
I looked at my father.
“Did Mom say anything else?””
Margaret reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a tiny silver locket.
“I have carried this for eight years.””
She placed it in my hands.
Inside was a small photograph of my anything else?””
Margaret reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a tiny silver locket.
“I have carried this for eight years.””
She placed it in my hands.
Inside was a small photograph of my mother and me.
I was a baby.
My mother was holding me against her chest.
On the opposite side was a folded piece of paper.
I opened it.
Four words were written inside.
*Your father knows nothing.*
My eyes moved to Margaret.
mother and me.
I was a baby.
My mother was holding me against her chest.
On the opposite side was a folded piece of paper.
I opened it.
Four words were written inside.
*Your father knows nothing.*
My eyes moved to Margaret.
“What does this mean?””
She looked at my father.
“It means Robert had told Laura that Daniel knew about the adoption and had agreed to the financial arrangement. Laura eventually discovered that Robert had lied.””
Dad sat down“What does this mean?””
She looked at my father.
“It means Robert had told Laura that Daniel knew about the adoption and had agreed to the financial arrangement. Laura eventually discovered that Robert had lied.””
Dad sat down slowly.
“My father told me I couldn't have children.””
Margaret nodded.
“He knew you would believe him.””
“And Claire?””
“He told Claire you had abandoned her.””
Claire covered her face.
“He told me Daniel never wanted me.””
My father looked at her slowly.
“My father told me I couldn't have children.””
Margaret nodded.
“He knew you would believe him.””
“And Claire?””
“He told Claire you had abandoned her.””
Claire covered her face.
“He told me Daniel never wanted me.””
My father looked at her.
“And you believed him.””
“I was nineteen!””
Margaret's voice softened.
“So was I when Robert first controlled my life. I thought I was protecting you by keeping quiet. I didn't understand that silence was.
“And you believed him.””
“I was nineteen!””
Margaret's voice softened.
“So was I when Robert first controlled my life. I thought I was protecting you by keeping quiet. I didn't understand that silence was protecting him.””
Thomas approached the fireplace.
“There's still one thing that doesn't make sense.””
“What?”” Dad asked.
“Why did Michael give me the documents if he was involved in the accident?””
Margaret looked toward protecting him.””
Thomas approached the fireplace.
“There's still one thing that doesn't make sense.””
“What?”” Dad asked.
“Why did Michael give me the documents if he was involved in the accident?””
Margaret looked toward the window.
“Because Michael wasn't the one who ordered the crash.””
Thomas turned.
“But he drove the car.””
“Yes. But he was following instructions.””
the window.
“Because Michael wasn't the one who ordered the crash.””
Thomas turned.
“But he drove the car.””
“Yes. But he was following instructions.””
“Whose?””
Margaret looked at Claire.
Claire suddenly stood.
“Don't.””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Edward Collins was never acting alone.””
Dad's voice grew cold.
“Who was helping“Whose?””
Margaret looked at Claire.
Claire suddenly stood.
“Don't.””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Edward Collins was never acting alone.””
Dad's voice grew cold.
“Who was helping him?””
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a final photograph.
This one showed a man standing beside Robert Bennett.
The man looked about forty years old.
He had dark hair, a clean-shaven face, and a familiar smile.
I him?””
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a final photograph.
This one showed a man standing beside Robert Bennett.
The man looked about forty years old.
He had dark hair, a clean-shaven face, and a familiar smile.
I stared.
I recognized him.
Not from a photograph.
From the framed portrait in the upstairs hallway.
The man was my father's older brother, Andrew Bennett.
But Andrew had supposedly died in a boating accident when I was six stared.
I recognized him.
Not from a photograph.
From the framed portrait in the upstairs hallway.
The man was my father's older brother, Andrew Bennett.
But Andrew had supposedly died in a boating accident when I was six.
Dad went white.
“Andrew?””
Margaret nodded.
“He survived the accident, Daniel.””
Thomas looked horrified.
“Robert had another son?””
“Yes.””
Dad stared at his brother's photograph.
“.
Dad went white.
“Andrew?””
Margaret nodded.
“He survived the accident, Daniel.””
Thomas looked horrified.
“Robert had another son?””
“Yes.””
Dad stared at his brother's photograph.
“Where is he?””
Margaret whispered:
“He's the person who has been receiving the missing trust money.””
My father stood so quickly that the coffee table shook.
“Where?””
Margaret looked towardWhere is he?””
Margaret whispered:
“He's the person who has been receiving the missing trust money.””
My father stood so quickly that the coffee table shook.
“Where?””
Margaret looked toward the staircase.
Then she answered:
“Look at the family portrait in the upstairs hallway.””
I turned toward the staircase.
“What about it?””
“Look at the reflection in the glass.””
We all looked up.
I remembered that portrait.
My father had kept it in the staircase.
Then she answered:
“Look at the family portrait in the upstairs hallway.””
I turned toward the staircase.
“What about it?””
“Look at the reflection in the glass.””
We all looked up.
I remembered that portrait.
My father had kept it in the hallway for years, even after the supposed death of his brother.
But I had never noticed anything unusual about the frame.
Margaret continued.
“Andrew never died, the hallway for years, even after the supposed death of his brother.
But I had never noticed anything unusual about the frame.
Margaret continued.
“Andrew never died, Emma. He came back to this house three months ago.””
Dad's voice broke.
“That's impossible. Who?””
Margaret looked directly at him.
“Your business partner, Daniel.””
The room went cold.
“Richard?””
She nodded Emma. He came back to this house three months ago.””
Dad's voice broke.
“That's impossible. Who?””
Margaret looked directly at him.
“Your business partner, Daniel.””
The room went cold.
“Richard?””
She nodded.
“Richard Bennett.””
My father's closest friend.
The man who had attended my birthday party.
The man who had sat at the dining table while Claire humiliated me.
The man who had watched us discover the notebook.
And suddenly, I remembered something.
“Richard Bennett.””
My father's closest friend.
The man who had attended my birthday party.
The man who had sat at the dining table while Claire humiliated me.
The man who had watched us discover the notebook.
And suddenly, I remembered something.
Before my father returned home, Richard had been the only person who knew exactly which flight Dad was taking.
He had also been the last person to leave the party before Thomas.
Before my father returned home, Richard had been the only person who knew exactly which flight Dad was taking.
He had also been the last person to leave the party before Thomas arrived.
I looked toward the front door.
A car engine started outside.
Margaret hurried to the window.
Her face drained of color.
“He's here.””
Dad moved beside her.
A black sedan was pulling arrived.
I looked toward the front door.
A car engine started outside.
Margaret hurried to the window.
Her face drained of color.
“He's here.””
Dad moved beside her.
A black sedan was pulling into the driveway.
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out holding a bouquet of white flowers.
It was Richard.
But he wasn't alone.
Someone was sitting in the passenger seat.
An elderly man.
And when he into the driveway.
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out holding a bouquet of white flowers.
It was Richard.
But he wasn't alone.
Someone was sitting in the passenger seat.
An elderly man.
May you like
And when he turned toward the house, my father whispered a name.
“Andrew.””
