Chapter 8: The Lawyer Who Sold Their## Chapter 8: The Lawyer Who Sold Their Lives
Richard stared Lives
Richard stared at the photograph until the faces blurred.
James at the photograph until the faces blurred.
James Porter stood beside Elizabeth's car, one hand resting on the Porter stood beside Elizabeth's car, one hand resting on the roof, his expression unreadable. Elizabeth looked exhausted and frightened. The bruising on her cheek was unmistak roof, his expression unreadable.
Elizabeth looked exhausted and frightened. The bruising on her cheek was unmistakable.
But it was the third detail that disturbed Richard most.
In the reflection of the car window, James appeared to be holding aable.
But it was the third detail that disturbed Richard most.
In the reflection of the car window, James appeared to be holding a small black handgun.
"Where was this taken?"" Richard demanded.
Detective Harris took the phone back.
"We small black handgun.
"Where was this taken?"" Richard demanded.
Detective Harris took the phone back.
"We're tracing the image now. The metadata places the device near Asheville, but that doesn't mean the photograph was taken there.""
"Then find James.""
"We've already sent officers to're tracing the image now. The metadata places the device near Asheville, but that doesn't mean the photograph was taken there.""
"Then find James.""
"We've already sent officers to his office and home.""
Richard looked through the glass toward the corridor. Vanessa was watching them with an his office and home.""
Richard looked through the glass toward the corridor. Vanessa was watching them with an expression that was almost peaceful.
"She knew," he muttered.
Detective Harris followed his gaze.
"Who?""
"Vanessa. expression that was almost peaceful.
"She knew," he muttered.
Detective Harris followed his gaze.
"Who?""
"Vanessa. She knew James was involved.""
"That's possible. But don't assume everyone in this photograph is guilty. We need to establish what happened before we act.""
Richard turned She knew James was involved.""
"That's possible. But don't assume everyone in this photograph is guilty. We need to establish what happened before we act.""
Richard turned back to him.
"That's my wife in that picture. She's been missing for three years. Someone has been threatening my children, falsifying medical back to him.
"That's my wife in that picture. She's been missing for three years. Someone has been threatening my children, falsifying medical records, and stealing from my company.
I have waited long enough for people to tell me to records, and stealing from my company. I have waited long enough for people to tell me to be patient.""
Harris didn't argue.
Instead, he placed a hand on Richard's shoulder.
"Then help me find the be patient.""
Harris didn't argue.
Instead, he placed a hand on Richard's shoulder.
"Then help me find the truth. But don't let anger make you walk into another trap.""
Richard nodded reluctantly.
His phone truth. But don't let anger make you walk into another trap.""
Richard nodded reluctantly.
His phone rang.
Ethan.
He answered immediately.
"What's wrong?""
"Dad, you need to come home.""
Richard straightened.
"Is Sophia rang.
Ethan.
He answered immediately.
"What's wrong?""
"Dad, you need to come home.""
Richard straightened.
"Is Sophia all right?""
"She's fine. Maria's with her. But James just called the house.""
Richard looked at all right?""
"She's fine. Maria's with her. But James just called the house.""
Richard looked at Detective Harris.
"What did he say?""
Ethan lowered his voice.
"He asked whether you had found the second will. When I told him you were at the police Detective Harris.
"What did he say?""
Ethan lowered his voice.
"He asked whether you had found the second will. When I told him you were at the police station, he said he needed to speak to you urgently.""
"Did he say where he was?""
"He said he was coming to the mansion.""
Richard felt a chill.
"Did you tell him about the photograph station, he said he needed to speak to you urgently.""
"Did he say where he was?""
"He said he was coming to the mansion.""
Richard felt a chill.
"Did you tell him about the photograph?""
"No.""
"Good. Don't let him inside. Keep Maria and Sophia away from the doors. I'm sending officers?""
"No.""
"Good. Don't let him inside. Keep Maria and Sophia away from the doors. I'm sending officers to the house.""
Ethan hesitated.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"James asked me something strange before to the house.""
Ethan hesitated.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"James asked me something strange before he hung up.""
"What?""
"He asked whether I still had Mom's red diary.""
Richard went completely still.
Elizabeth's red diary.
He he hung up.""
"What?""
"He asked whether I still had Mom's red diary.""
Richard went completely still.
Elizabeth's red diary.
He remembered it from the months before her death. She had carried it everywhere, writing in it late at remembered it from the months before her death. She had carried it everywhere, writing in it late at night, then locking it inside the bedside drawer.
After the funeral, it had vanished.
Richard had assumed it had been packed away with her personal night, then locking it inside the bedside drawer.
After the funeral, it had vanished.
Richard had assumed it had been packed away with her personal belongings.
"Do you have it?"" he asked.
Ethan paused.
"Yes.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Where?""
"Under my mattress belongings.
"Do you have it?"" he asked.
Ethan paused.
"Yes.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Where?""
"Under my mattress. I found it when I was looking for the letter.""
"Don't touch it. Don't show it to anyone. Put. I found it when I was looking for the letter.""
"Don't touch it. Don't show it to anyone. Put it somewhere safe, and wait for the police.""
"Okay.""
Richard ended the call and looked at Detective Harris.
"James is coming to my house it somewhere safe, and wait for the police.""
"Okay.""
Richard ended the call and looked at Detective Harris.
"James is coming to my house.""
Harris immediately called the officers stationed outside the mansion.
Then he turned to Richard.
"What is.""
Harris immediately called the officers stationed outside the mansion.
Then he turned to Richard.
"What is this diary?""
"My wife's private journal. It disappeared after her funeral.""
"And your son has it?""
"Yes.""
Harris's expression this diary?""
"My wife's private journal. It disappeared after her funeral.""
"And your son has it?""
"Yes.""
Harris's expression darkened.
"Then James may be coming for it.""
Richard's phone vibrated again.
A message from an unknown number.
*The darkened.
"Then James may be coming for it.""
Richard's phone vibrated again.
A message from an unknown number.
*The diary contains the name of the person who ordered Daniel's death. James knows you have it. If he reaches diary contains the name of the person who ordered Daniel's death.
James knows you have it. If he reaches Ethan first, your son will never be safe.*
Richard showed the message to Harris.
The detective swore under his breath.
"We're going now.""
They left the station with two officers following Ethan first, your son will never be safe.*
Richard showed the message to Harris.
The detective swore under his breath.
"We're going now.""
They left the station with two officers following in an unmarked vehicle.
The drive to the mansion took twenty minutes.
Richard barely in an unmarked vehicle.
The drive to the mansion took twenty minutes.
Richard barely noticed the traffic. His mind kept returning to Elizabeth's photograph, to the bruises on her face, and to the handgun reflected in noticed the traffic. His mind kept returning to Elizabeth's photograph, to the bruises on her face, and to the handgun reflected in the window.
Had James threatened her?
Had he helped Vanessa arrange the crash?
Or was he trying to protect Elizabeth from someone the window.
Had James threatened her?
Had he helped Vanessa arrange the crash?
Or was he trying to protect Elizabeth from someone else?
Richard had trusted the man for almost fifteen years. James had drafted the children's trusts, managed the company's legal affairs, and stood else?
Richard had trusted the man for almost fifteen years. James had drafted the children's trusts, managed the company's legal affairs, and stood beside Richard at Elizabeth's funeral.
He had even helped Richard choose the headstone.
If James had beside Richard at Elizabeth's funeral.
He had even helped Richard choose the headstone.
If James had been lying all this time, Richard wasn't sure he could trust his own memories anymore.
When they reached been lying all this time, Richard wasn't sure he could trust his own memories anymore.
When they reached the mansion, a police cruiser was parked across the driveway.
Richard ran inside.
Ethan stood in the foyer with Maria and Sophia the mansion, a police cruiser was parked across the driveway.
Richard ran inside.
Ethan stood in the foyer with Maria and Sophia. The red diary was clutched against his chest.
"Where is James?"" Richard asked.
. The red diary was clutched against his chest.
"Where is James?"" Richard asked.
"Upstairs," Ethan replied.
Richard froze.
"What?""
"He came through the side entrance before the"Upstairs," Ethan replied.
Richard froze.
"What?""
"He came through the side entrance before the police arrived. He said he had a key.""
A crash sounded from the second floor.
Richard sprinted up the staircase.
police arrived. He said he had a key.""
A crash sounded from the second floor.
Richard sprinted up the staircase.
The door to his bedroom stood open.
James was inside, pulling drawers fromThe door to his bedroom stood open.
James was inside, pulling drawers from a cabinet and throwing papers onto the floor.
"James!""
The lawyer spun around.
For one brief moment a cabinet and throwing papers onto the floor.
"James!""
The lawyer spun around.
For one brief moment, his face showed genuine surprise.
Then he composed himself.
"Richard. Thank God. We need, his face showed genuine surprise.
Then he composed himself.
"Richard. Thank God. We need to leave.""
Richard stared at the wreckage.
"You're searching my bedroom.""
"I'm looking for to leave.""
Richard stared at the wreckage.
"You're searching my bedroom.""
"I'm looking for something that belongs to me.""
"What's that?""
James's eyes moved toward the doorway.
The red diary.
Ethan had followed his something that belongs to me.""
"What's that?""
James's eyes moved toward the doorway.
The red diary.
Ethan had followed his father upstairs, with Maria close behind him.
James's expression changed.
"Give me the diary, Ethan.""
Ethan father upstairs, with Maria close behind him.
James's expression changed.
"Give me the diary, Ethan.""
Ethan stepped back.
"No.""
James removed his glasses and wiped them with a hand stepped back.
"No.""
James removed his glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief.
"Son, you don't understand what you're holding.""
"Then explain it.""
"I can't.""
Ethankerchief.
"Son, you don't understand what you're holding.""
"Then explain it.""
"I can't.""
Ethan tightened his grip.
"That's what everyone keeps saying.""
James's patience snapped.
"Because you tightened his grip.
"That's what everyone keeps saying.""
James's patience snapped.
"Because you have no idea how dangerous this is!""
Richard moved between them.
"Take one more step toward my son, and you'll have have no idea how dangerous this is!""
Richard moved between them.
"Take one more step toward my son, and you'll have to explain yourself to the police.""
James looked at him with something approaching pity.
"You still think this is about money to explain yourself to the police.""
James looked at him with something approaching pity.
"You still think this is about money.""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Then tell me what it's about.""
James glanced toward Maria.
"Get her.""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Then tell me what it's about.""
James glanced toward Maria.
"Get her out of here.""
"No," Richard said.
"Richard, please. There are things you don't out of here.""
"No," Richard said.
"Richard, please. There are things you don't know about your wife.""
"Then start talking.""
James looked at the floor.
For the first time, he seemed know about your wife.""
"Then start talking.""
James looked at the floor.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely afraid.
"Elizabeth came to me three days before she disappeared. She had evidence that Vanessa had genuinely afraid.
"Elizabeth came to me three days before she disappeared. She had evidence that Vanessa had been transferring money from the Cole trust into accounts controlled by a group of investors. The money was being used to acquire property under false names.""
Richard stared at him.
been transferring money from the Cole trust into accounts controlled by a group of investors. The money was being used to acquire property under false names.""
Richard stared at him.
"And you helped her?""
"I tried.""
"What does that mean?""
James swallowed.
"I advised her to take the evidence to the authorities. She"And you helped her?""
"I tried.""
"What does that mean?""
James swallowed.
"I advised her to take the evidence to the authorities. She refused. She believed Vanessa had someone inside the police department.""
Richard thought of the missing witness statement, the altered hospital refused. She believed Vanessa had someone inside the police department.""
Richard thought of the missing witness statement, the altered hospital records, and the unexplained death certificate.
"What happened next?""
"Elizabeth gave me the red diary. She asked me to hide it until Ethan turned eighteen.""
E records, and the unexplained death certificate.
"What happened next?""
"Elizabeth gave me the red diary. She asked me to hide it until Ethan turned eighteen.""
Ethan looked down at the diary.
"Why?""
"Because the diary identifies everyone involved in the fraud. It also contains evidence concerning Ethanthan looked down at the diary.
"Why?""
"Because the diary identifies everyone involved in the fraud. It also contains evidence concerning Ethan's birth.""
Richard stepped closer.
"You knew about Ethan?""
James nodded.
"I knew Elizabeth had concealed the identity of his's birth.""
Richard stepped closer.
"You knew about Ethan?""
James nodded.
"I knew Elizabeth had concealed the identity of his biological father. I didn't know the full truth until she showed me the hospital records.""
"And you kept quiet?""
"I was trying to protect him.""
biological father. I didn't know the full truth until she showed me the hospital records.""
"And you kept quiet?""
"I was trying to protect him.""
Richard laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps using those words.""
James's face tightened.
"I knowRichard laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps using those words.""
James's face tightened.
"I know how this looks. But I never wanted Daniel dead.""
"Did you know Vanessa had tampered how this looks. But I never wanted Daniel dead.""
"Did you know Vanessa had tampered with the car?""
"No.""
"Did you help her falsify Elizabeth's death certificate?""
James hesitated with the car?""
"No.""
"Did you help her falsify Elizabeth's death certificate?""
James hesitated.
Richard's stomach dropped.
"Answer me.""
"I arranged the legal documents after the hospital.
Richard's stomach dropped.
"Answer me.""
"I arranged the legal documents after the hospital reported her death.""
"You knew the medical records were questionable.""
"Yes.""
"And you signed them anyway.""
James lowered his head.
"Yes.""
Richard felt reported her death.""
"You knew the medical records were questionable.""
"Yes.""
"And you signed them anyway.""
James lowered his head.
"Yes.""
Richard felt sick.
"Why?""
"Because Elizabeth was alive when I visited her at the rehabilitation facility. She asked me to help her disappear. She said Vanessa would kill sick.
"Why?""
"Because Elizabeth was alive when I visited her at the rehabilitation facility. She asked me to help her disappear. She said Vanessa would kill the baby if she learned where they were.""
Sophia appeared in the doorway, her face pale.
"Baby?""
the baby if she learned where they were.""
Sophia appeared in the doorway, her face pale.
"Baby?""
James looked at her.
"Your mother gave birth to Lily after the crash. She believed that if Vanessa found the child, she would use her to gainJames looked at her.
"Your mother gave birth to Lily after the crash. She believed that if Vanessa found the child, she would use her to gain control of the trust.""
Sophia began to cry.
"Why didn't Mom come home?""
James's voice softened.
"Because she thought staying away was the only way to keep you control of the trust.""
Sophia began to cry.
"Why didn't Mom come home?""
James's voice softened.
"Because she thought staying away was the only way to keep you alive.""
Richard looked at the diary in Ethan's hands.
"Then why are you trying to take it now?""
James alive.""
Richard looked at the diary in Ethan's hands.
"Then why are you trying to take it now?""
James's expression hardened again.
"Because Vanessa is in custody, and the people behind her are already's expression hardened again.
"Because Vanessa is in custody, and the people behind her are already moving. If the diary reaches the police before we understand what's inside, innocent people could be killed.""
Detective Harris appeared behind Richard.
"That's an moving. If the diary reaches the police before we understand what's inside, innocent people could be killed.""
Detective Harris appeared behind Richard.
"That's an interesting argument, Mr. Porter. But you're going to have to explain why you entered interesting argument, Mr.
Porter. But you're going to have to explain why you entered this house without permission and attempted to take evidence from a minor.""
James turned.
For a moment, he this house without permission and attempted to take evidence from a minor.""
James turned.
For a moment, he looked relieved.
Then Harris continued.
"And you're also going to explain why your phone was located near the woman in looked relieved.
Then Harris continued.
"And you're also going to explain why your phone was located near the woman in the photograph.""
James's face went white.
"You've traced it?""
"We're working on it.""
James looked at Richard.
"Please. You have to listen the photograph.""
James's face went white.
"You've traced it?""
"We're working on it.""
James looked at Richard.
"Please. You have to listen to me.""
Richard's voice was cold.
"I've listened to you for fifteen years.""
The to me.""
Richard's voice was cold.
"I've listened to you for fifteen years.""
The detective stepped forward.
"Mr. Porter, come with us.""
James didn't resist.
But as the officers led him toward the door, he stopped beside Richard.
"There is something you need to detective stepped forward.
"Mr. Porter, come with us.""
James didn't resist.
But as the officers led him toward the door, he stopped beside Richard.
"There is something you need to know about Elizabeth.""
Richard said nothing.
James lowered his voice.
"The woman in that photograph isn't the only person who survived the know about Elizabeth.""
Richard said nothing.
James lowered his voice.
"The woman in that photograph isn't the only person who survived the crash.""
Richard's heart slammed against his ribs.
"What are you talking about?""
James looked toward Ethan.
"Daniel was alive when the crash.""
Richard's heart slammed against his ribs.
"What are you talking about?""
James looked toward Ethan.
"Daniel was alive when the ambulance arrived.""
The room fell silent.
Richard stared at him.
"Vanessa said he died at the scene.""
"Vanessa lied.""
James ambulance arrived.""
The room fell silent.
Richard stared at him.
"Vanessa said he died at the scene.""
"Vanessa lied.""
James swallowed.
"Daniel was taken to a private clinic. Elizabeth believed he died there, but I found a hospital record last month showing that a swallowed.
"Daniel was taken to a private clinic. Elizabeth believed he died there, but I found a hospital record last month showing that a patient matching his description was discharged under another name.""
Richard could barely speak.
"Where is he?""
"I don't know. But the patient matching his description was discharged under another name.""
Richard could barely speak.
"Where is he?""
"I don't know. But the record included a forwarding address.""
James reached into his pocket.
The officers immediately stopped him.
" record included a forwarding address.""
James reached into his pocket.
The officers immediately stopped him.
"Slowly," Harris ordered.
James removed a folded slip of paper and handed it to Richard.
An address was written on it, alongSlowly," Harris ordered.
James removed a folded slip of paper and handed it to Richard.
An address was written on it, along with a name.
*Daniel Cole — Patient Transfer, October 19.*
Richard stared at the date.
Three with a name.
*Daniel Cole — Patient Transfer, October 19.*
Richard stared at the date.
Three years earlier.
The same date Elizabeth had been discharged from the hospital.
He looked up.
"Why didn't you tell me this before years earlier.
The same date Elizabeth had been discharged from the hospital.
He looked up.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?""
James's eyes filled with tears.
"Because I thought Daniel was dead. And because the last time?""
James's eyes filled with tears.
"Because I thought Daniel was dead. And because the last time I tried to contact the clinic, someone threatened my daughter.""
The officers escorted him out.
Richard stood I tried to contact the clinic, someone threatened my daughter.""
The officers escorted him out.
Richard stood motionless, holding the paper.
His wife's brother might still be alive.
The man believed to be Ethan motionless, holding the paper.
His wife's brother might still be alive.
The man believed to be Ethan's biological father might have survived.
And if Daniel had been alive after the crash, then the entire story of what happened that night was wrong.
Ethan stepped's biological father might have survived.
And if Daniel had been alive after the crash, then the entire story of what happened that night was wrong.
Ethan stepped beside his father.
"Are we going to find Mom?""
Richard looked at his son.
"Yes.""
"And Daniel?""
Richard folded beside his father.
"Are we going to find Mom?""
Richard looked at his son.
"Yes.""
"And Daniel?""
Richard folded the paper carefully.
"We're going to find out what really happened.""
His phone vibrated.
Another message.
This time, there was no the paper carefully.
"We're going to find out what really happened.""
His phone vibrated.
Another message.
This time, there was no photograph.
Only a sentence.
*Come to the old bridge at midnight, Richard. Bring the diary. If you photograph.
Only a sentence.
Come to the old bridge at midnight, Richard. Bring the diary. If you want to see Elizabeth and Daniel alive, come alone.
Richard stared at the screen.
Outside, thunder rolled across the estate.
And for the first time, he understood that the truth wasn't want to see Elizabeth and Daniel alive, come alone.*
Richard stared at the screen.
Outside, thunder rolled across the estate.
May you like
And for the first time, he understood that the truth wasn't merely hidden.
Someone was still willing to kill to keep it that way.
