Chapter 8: The Witness Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
The detective arrived twenty-five minutes later.
He was carrying a leather briefcase and a sealed evidence folder.
His name was Harris, a broad-shouldered man in his early fifties with tired eyes and a small scar across his chin.
He introduced himself in the downstairs living room.
Then he asked my father leather briefcase and a sealed evidence folder.
His name was Harris, a broad-shouldered man in his early fifties with tired eyes and a small scar across his chin.
He introduced himself in the downstairs living room.
Then he asked my father to sit.
“I want to be clear,” Detective Harris said.
“We're not making an arrest tonight. We have information that needs to be verified.””
Dad placed both hands on his knees.
“Then tell me why my daughter is involved to sit.
“I want to be clear,” Detective Harris said.
“We're not making an arrest tonight. We have information that needs to be verified.””
Dad placed both hands on his knees.
“Then tell me why my daughter is involved.””
“Because the original investigation identified a woman as a possible witness. Her name was Margaret Collins.””
Claire made a small sound.
Thomas looked.””
“Because the original investigation identified a woman as a possible witness. Her name was Margaret Collins.””
Claire made a small sound.
Thomas looked up sharply.
Dad frowned.
“Who is Margaret Collins?””
Claire stared at the detective.
“She was my mother.””
My father turned toward up sharply.
Dad frowned.
“Who is Margaret Collins?””
Claire stared at the detective.
“She was my mother.””
My father turned toward her.
“You said she died.””
“She did.””
“When?””
“Years ago.””
Detective Harris opened the folder.
“According to the original police statement, her.
“You said she died.””
“She did.””
“When?””
“Years ago.””
Detective Harris opened the folder.
“According to the original police statement, Margaret was treated at a private hospital following the accident. She was initially listed as an unidentified female pedestrian. She later provided a statement about what she witnessed near the bridge.””
Dad's eyes narrowed.
“Then why wasn't she included in the investigation?””
Margaret was treated at a private hospital following the accident. She was initially listed as an unidentified female pedestrian. She later provided a statement about what she witnessed near the bridge.””
Dad's eyes narrowed.
“Then why wasn't she included in the investigation?””
“Her statement was withdrawn.””
“By whom?””
The detective placed a copy of the document on the coffee table.
“Your wife.””
Dad looked toward“Her statement was withdrawn.””
“By whom?””
The detective placed a copy of the document on the coffee table.
“Your wife.””
Dad looked toward Claire.
“You withdrew your mother's statement?””
Claire shook her head.
“I never saw this.””
The detective turned the document around.
At the bottom was a Claire.
“You withdrew your mother's statement?””
Claire shook her head.
“I never saw this.””
The detective turned the document around.
At the bottom was a signature.
Claire Bennett.
My father picked it up.
“That's your handwriting.””
“No.””
“Don't lie to me again.””
Claire took a step backward.
signature.
Claire Bennett.
My father picked it up.
“That's your handwriting.””
“No.””
“Don't lie to me again.””
Claire took a step backward.
“I didn't sign that.””
Detective Harris studied her.
“Do you have any reason to believe someone forged your signature?””
Claire looked at Thomas.
Then she looked at me.
“I don't know.””
I sat“I didn't sign that.””
Detective Harris studied her.
“Do you have any reason to believe someone forged your signature?””
Claire looked at Thomas.
Then she looked at me.
“I don't know.””
I sat beside my father.
“What did my grandmother see?””
The detective opened another page.
“According to her initial statement, she saw a second vehicle follow your beside my father.
“What did my grandmother see?””
The detective opened another page.
“According to her initial statement, she saw a second vehicle follow your mother's car. She also reported seeing someone exit the second vehicle shortly after the crash.””
“Who?””
“Your grandmother believed it was Thomas Reed.””
mother's car. She also reported seeing someone exit the second vehicle shortly after the crash.””
“Who?””
“Your grandmother believed it was Thomas Reed.””
Dad turned toward Thomas.
“Did you leave the scene?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No. I was unconscious.””
Detective Harris lookedDad turned toward Thomas.
“Did you leave the scene?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No. I was unconscious.””
Detective Harris looked at him.
“Your medical records indicate you were admitted to St. Matthew's Hospital under a different name.””
Thomas nodded.
“I was using an alias.””
“Who arranged at him.
“Your medical records indicate you were admitted to St. Matthew's Hospital under a different name.””
Thomas nodded.
“I was using an alias.””
“Who arranged that?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Michael.””
The detective wrote something down.
“Was anyone else involved?””
Thomas looked at Claire.
“She was that?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Michael.””
The detective wrote something down.
“Was anyone else involved?””
Thomas looked at Claire.
“She was there when I woke up.””
Claire stood abruptly.
“This is insane. You're all treating me like a criminal.””
Detective Harris calmly closed his there when I woke up.””
Claire stood abruptly.
“This is insane. You're all treating me like a criminal.””
Detective Harris calmly closed his notebook.
“Mrs. Bennett, I haven't accused you of anything. But I do need you to answer a few questions.””
Claire crossed her arms.
“I've notebook.
“Mrs. Bennett, I haven't accused you of anything. But I do need you to answer a few questions.””
Claire crossed her arms.
“I've answered enough.””
“Where was your mother living in November 2018?””
Claire froze.
My father looked at her.
“What does that date have to do with anything answered enough.””
“Where was your mother living in November 2018?””
Claire froze.
My father looked at her.
“What does that date have to do with anything?””
The detective explained.
“The hospital record lists Margaret Collins as having been transferred to a private care facility two days after the accident. However, that facility reported that she left?””
The detective explained.
“The hospital record lists Margaret Collins as having been transferred to a private care facility two days after the accident. However, that facility reported that she left voluntarily the following morning.””
“Where did she go?”” I asked.
“We don't know.””
Thomas rubbed his jaw.
“She disappeared.””
My father stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because she was afraid.””
“Of whom?””
Thomas voluntarily the following morning.””
“Where did she go?”” I asked.
“We don't know.””
Thomas rubbed his jaw.
“She disappeared.””
My father stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because she was afraid.””
“Of whom?””
Thomas looked at Claire.
Claire's face was pale.
Detective Harris removed a photograph from his folder.
It showed an elderly woman standing outside a small house.
looked at Claire.
Claire's face was pale.
Detective Harris removed a photograph from his folder.
It showed an elderly woman standing outside a small house.
“She was located three days ago. She is currently receiving medical care and has agreed to speak with investigators.””
Dad stood.
“She is alive?””
“Yes“She was located three days ago. She is currently receiving medical care and has agreed to speak with investigators.””
Dad stood.
“She is alive?””
“Yes.””
Claire shook her head.
“No.””
The detective looked at her.
“You knew?””
“No.””
“You were her daughter.””
Claire's voice broke.””
Claire shook her head.
“No.””
The detective looked at her.
“You knew?””
“No.””
“You were her daughter.””
Claire's voice broke.
“My mother disappeared after the accident. I was told she had gone away.””
“Who told you?””
She looked at the floor.
“Michael Reed.””
Thomas.
“My mother disappeared after the accident. I was told she had gone away.””
“Who told you?””
She looked at the floor.
“Michael Reed.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
The detective placed another photograph on the table.
This one showed Margaret Collins seated in a hospital room.
She was older, thinner, and had white hair.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
I studied closed his eyes.
The detective placed another photograph on the table.
This one showed Margaret Collins seated in a hospital room.
She was older, thinner, and had white hair.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
I studied her face.
There was something about the shape of her nose that reminded me of Claire.
“Can I see her?”” I asked.
The detective nodded.
“Not her face.
There was something about the shape of her nose that reminded me of Claire.
“Can I see her?”” I asked.
The detective nodded.
“Not tonight. She has agreed to provide a statement tomorrow morning. We can arrange a meeting afterward, depending on her condition.””
Dad looked at Claire.
“Why did you believe she was dead?””
Claire tonight. She has agreed to provide a statement tomorrow morning. We can arrange a meeting afterward, depending on her condition.””
Dad looked at Claire.
“Why did you believe she was dead?””
Claire began crying.
“Because I was told she had died in an accident.””
“What accident?””
She didn't answer.
Detective Harris looked at her.
“Mrs. Bennett, began crying.
“Because I was told she had died in an accident.””
“What accident?””
She didn't answer.
Detective Harris looked at her.
“Mrs. Bennett, your mother has been living under a different surname for the past eight years. Someone was paying her living expenses through an account linked to the Reed laboratory.””
Dad turned toward Thomas.
“Your brother again?””
Thomas nodded.
“I your mother has been living under a different surname for the past eight years. Someone was paying her living expenses through an account linked to the Reed laboratory.””
Dad turned toward Thomas.
“Your brother again?””
Thomas nodded.
“I believe so.””
The detective continued.
“The payment records show regular transfers from the same account that received money from Mrs. Bennett's personal account.””
Claire sat believe so.””
The detective continued.
“The payment records show regular transfers from the same account that received money from Mrs. Bennett's personal account.””
Claire sat down.
“I didn't send those payments.””
The detective looked at her.
“Then who did?””
She whispered, “Michael.””
My down.
“I didn't send those payments.””
The detective looked at her.
“Then who did?””
She whispered, “Michael.””
My father leaned forward.
“Why would Michael support your mother?””
Claire wiped her eyes.
“Because he owed her.””
father leaned forward.
“Why would Michael support your mother?””
Claire wiped her eyes.
“Because he owed her.””
“Why?””
She looked at Thomas.
He seemed to understand something.
“Margaret knew about Robert,” he said.
Claire nodded“Why?””
She looked at Thomas.
He seemed to understand something.
“Margaret knew about Robert,” he said.
Claire nodded.
“She knew he was my father.””
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Everyone knew except me.””
Claire looked at him.
“Robert had been involved.
“She knew he was my father.””
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Everyone knew except me.””
Claire looked at him.
“Robert had been involved with my mother long before he married his second wife. When I was born, he arranged for her to receive money so she would never speak about with my mother long before he married his second wife. When I was born, he arranged for her to receive money so she would never speak about it.””
“And when you became pregnant?””
“He threatened to stop paying.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“So what happened?””
Claire stared at the it.””
“And when you became pregnant?””
“He threatened to stop paying.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“So what happened?””
Claire stared at the floor.
“I met Laura through a mutual friend. She offered to adopt you. Robert agreed because he believed it would keep the scandal quiet.””
Dad sat back.
“And you floor.
“I met Laura through a mutual friend. She offered to adopt you. Robert agreed because he believed it would keep the scandal quiet.””
Dad sat back.
“And you let your father arrange your daughter's adoption?””
“I was nineteen, Daniel. I had no money. I was frightened.””
“That's not what I'm asking.””
Claire's voice cracked.
“I didn't know what else to do.””
Detect let your father arrange your daughter's adoption?””
“I was nineteen, Daniel. I had no money. I was frightened.””
“That's not what I'm asking.””
Claire's voice cracked.
“I didn't know what else to do.””
Detective Harris opened his folder again.
“Mrs. Bennett, we have another question. Did you know your mother had been receiving money to remainive Harris opened his folder again.
“Mrs. Bennett, we have another question. Did you know your mother had been receiving money to remain silent about Robert's involvement in your pregnancy?””
Claire nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you know Robert left an additional inheritance for Emma?””
She looked startled.
“What silent about Robert's involvement in your pregnancy?””
Claire nodded.
“Yes.””
“Did you know Robert left an additional inheritance for Emma?””
She looked startled.
“What?””
Dad turned sharply.
“You didn't know?””
“No.””
Thomas looked at the detective.
“Robert's estate records?””
The detective placed a copy on the table.
“An?””
Dad turned sharply.
“You didn't know?””
“No.””
Thomas looked at the detective.
“Robert's estate records?””
The detective placed a copy on the table.
“An account was discovered during a review of his assets. It was funded through a private trust and remained untouched for account was discovered during a review of his assets. It was funded through a private trust and remained untouched for years.””
Dad read the page.
His expression changed.
“It's over twelve million dollars.””
I stared at him.
“That's mine?””
“Not exactly,” the detective said.
“ years.””
Dad read the page.
His expression changed.
“It's over twelve million dollars.””
I stared at him.
“That's mine?””
“Not exactly,” the detective said.
“The beneficiary is listed as Emma Bennett, but there are restrictions on access.””
Dad looked confused.
“Who controls it?””
The detective pointed to a nameThe beneficiary is listed as Emma Bennett, but there are restrictions on access.””
Dad looked confused.
“Who controls it?””
The detective pointed to a name.
*Margaret Collins.*
Claire stood so quickly her chair toppled backward.
“No!””
Everyone turned toward.
*Margaret Collins.*
Claire stood so quickly her chair toppled backward.
“No!””
Everyone turned toward her.
She was breathing heavily.
“That money was supposed to be mine.””
Dad looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because Robert promised it to me.””
“It's her.
She was breathing heavily.
“That money was supposed to be mine.””
Dad looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because Robert promised it to me.””
“It's in Emma's name.””
“He was my father!””
“And Emma is your daughter.””
Claire laughed bitterly.
“She was supposed to be mine in Emma's name.””
“He was my father!””
“And Emma is your daughter.””
Claire laughed bitterly.
“She was supposed to be mine. All of it was supposed to be mine.””
I stood.
“I'm not money.””
She stared at me.
“I know that.””
“Then stop talking as if my existence is a bank account you lost.””
Detective Harris closed. All of it was supposed to be mine.””
I stood.
“I'm not money.””
She stared at me.
“I know that.””
“Then stop talking as if my existence is a bank account you lost.””
Detective Harris closed the folder.
“I think we've heard enough for tonight. Mr. Bennett, I'd like you and Emma to come with me tomorrow to meet Margaret the folder.
“I think we've heard enough for tonight. Mr. Bennett, I'd like you and Emma to come with me tomorrow to meet Margaret. We also need copies of the notebook and the original suitcase documents.””
Dad nodded.
“Of course.””
As the detective prepared to leave, Thomas approached him.
“I. We also need copies of the notebook and the original suitcase documents.””
Dad nodded.
“Of course.””
As the detective prepared to leave, Thomas approached him.
“I need to tell you something.””
Harris turned.
“What?””
“Michael didn't act alone.””
Claire looked toward the stairs.
Thomas continued.
“He told need to tell you something.””
Harris turned.
“What?””
“Michael didn't act alone.””
Claire looked toward the stairs.
Thomas continued.
“He told me the second vehicle belonged to a man who worked for Robert before he died. A man who handled the family's private security.””
The detective frowned.
“Do me the second vehicle belonged to a man who worked for Robert before he died. A man who handled the family's private security.””
The detective frowned.
“Do you know his name?””
Thomas nodded.
“Edward Collins.””
Claire you know his name?””
Thomas nodded.
“Edward Collins.””
Claire's face turned white.
“That's impossible.””
Thomas looked at her.
“Edward was your mother's brother.””
The detective wrote down the name.
Then he looked at the photograph of Margaret.
“Does this man have any connection to the accident's face turned white.
“That's impossible.””
Thomas looked at her.
“Edward was your mother's brother.””
The detective wrote down the name.
Then he looked at the photograph of Margaret.
“Does this man have any connection to the accident?””
Thomas answered quietly.
“He was the one driving the second vehicle.””
Dad looked at him.
“Why would Claire's uncle follow Laura?””
Thomas's answer was chilling.
“Because he?””
Thomas answered quietly.
“He was the one driving the second vehicle.””
Dad looked at him.
“Why would Claire's uncle follow Laura?””
Thomas's answer was chilling.
“Because he believed Laura had stolen something that belonged to his family.””
“What?””
Thomas looked toward the suitcase.
“The original trust agreement.””
My father stared at the believed Laura had stolen something that belonged to his family.””
“What?””
Thomas looked toward the suitcase.
“The original trust agreement.””
My father stared at the papers.
Then he asked the question nobody had thought to ask.
“Why would Laura take the trust agreement to a bridge?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Because Edward papers.
Then he asked the question nobody had thought to ask.
“Why would Laura take the trust agreement to a bridge?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Because Edward had arranged to meet her there.””
“Then why did she die?””
Thomas looked at Claire.
“Because Edward never intended to let her leave.””
Claire covered had arranged to meet her there.””
“Then why did she die?””
Thomas looked at Claire.
“Because Edward never intended to let her leave.””
Claire covered her mouth.
The detective immediately turned toward her.
“Mrs. Bennett, do you know whether your uncle is still alive?””
She shook her head.
“He died.””
“When?””
“Three her mouth.
The detective immediately turned toward her.
“Mrs. Bennett, do you know whether your uncle is still alive?””
She shook her head.
“He died.””
“When?””
“Three years ago.””
Thomas looked startled.
“Are you sure?””
Claire nodded.
“I attended his funeral.””
The detective frowned.
“Where?””
“St. Andrew's Cemetery.””
Thomas slowly approached the coffee table and examined the photograph again.
Then he noticed something at the bottom.
A date years ago.””
Thomas looked startled.
“Are you sure?””
Claire nodded.
“I attended his funeral.””
The detective frowned.
“Where?””
“St. Andrew's Cemetery.””
Thomas slowly approached the coffee table and examined the photograph again.
Then he noticed something at the bottom.
A date stamp.
And beside it, a location.
He looked at Claire.
“That's not Edward.””
She frowned.
“What?””
“The man in the photograph isn't your uncle.””
Thomas turned the photograph around.
He pointed at the driver's face.
“It's stamp.
And beside it, a location.
He looked at Claire.
“That's not Edward.””
She frowned.
“What?””
“The man in the photograph isn't your uncle.””
Thomas turned the photograph around.
He pointed at the driver's face.
“It's Michael Reed.””
My father looked at him.
“Your brother was driving the second car?””
Thomas nodded.
“And if he was, he wasn't just helping Claire hide the truth.””
He swallowed.
“He was the person who chased Laura to Michael Reed.””
My father looked at him.
“Your brother was driving the second car?””
Thomas nodded.
“And if he was, he wasn't just helping Claire hide the truth.””
May you like
He swallowed.
“He was the person who chased Laura to the bridge.””
