Chapter 5: The Man Who Borrowed Michael's Car
Jason Carter arrived at the courthouse at 9:12 the following morning.
He wore a navy suit, polished shoes, and the expensive silver watch Michael had once helped him choose for his thirtieth birthday.
He looked composed.
Almost bored.
When he saw Daniel standing outside the courtroom, he smiled.
"Daniel. Long time.""
Daniel didn't return the smile.
"Jason, we need to talk.""
"About what?""
"Your sister.""
Jason's expression changed just enough to be noticeable.
"What about her?""
"Her death.""
Jason glanced toward the courtroom.
"I've already given the police everything I know.""
"Then you won't mind answering a few more questions.""
Jason adjusted his cuff.
"Actually, I'm here to support my family.""
Daniel stepped aside.
"Then perhaps you can start by explaining why your voice appears on a recording made the night Sarah died.""
Jason stopped walking.
For the first time, the confident expression disappeared.
"What recording?""
"The one recovered from your mother's storage unit.""
Jason laughed.
"That sounds like something Victoria would know about.""
"Your voice is on it.""
"Impossible.""
"Would you like to hear it?""
Jason looked at Daniel.
Then toward the elevators.
"I think I'll speak to my attorney first.""
Daniel nodded.
"That's probably wise.""
Jason walked into the courtroom.
Michael was already seated beside his attorney.
The moment Jason saw him, he shook his head.
"Brother, look at you.""
Michael didn't answer.
Jason approached the table.
"Eleven months. Eleven months, Michael. You should have told me you needed help.""
Michael looked up slowly.
"You had my car.""
Jason frowned.
"What?""
"The night Sarah died. You had my spare key.""
Jason gave a dismissive laugh.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Your voice is on the recording.""
Jason glanced at Daniel.
Then back at Michael.
"You're going to believe some distorted audio over your own brother?""
Michael leaned forward.
"I want to know why Sarah was still alive after she fell.""
Jason's expression hardened.
"She wasn't.""
"Then why did Mom say she wasn't dead?""
Jason looked toward the judge's bench.
"Michael, you need to calm down.""
"Why did you leave her there?""
Jason stepped back.
"I didn't touch Sarah.""
Michael's voice rose.
"Then why did you say you pushed her?""
A court officer approached.
"Mr. Carter, please lower your voice.""
Jason straightened his jacket.
"He's obviously not well.""
Daniel stood.
"Your Honor, the defense requests that Jason Carter be questioned regarding newly discovered evidence.""
The prosecutor immediately objected.
"Mr. Brooks, this is becoming a circus.""
Daniel placed the audio transcript on the table.
"Then perhaps the prosecution should explain why it never investigated the victim's brother, despite financial transfers and vehicle records linking him to the crime.""
Collins took the papers.
His expression changed as he read.
Judge Harrison looked toward Jason.
"Mr. Carter, do you have legal representation?""
Jason nodded.
"Yes, Your Honor.""
"Then I suggest you consult your attorney before answering any further questions.""
Jason sat down.
But Michael noticed something.
Jason wasn't looking at him anymore.
He was looking at Victoria.
And Victoria was shaking her head.
During the recess, Daniel took Michael into the hallway.
"We need to establish exactly what happened to your car.""
Michael rubbed his face.
"Jason borrowed it several times.""
"When?""
"Usually when his truck was being repaired.""
"Did he borrow it the week Sarah died?""
Michael thought carefully.
"Three days before.""
"Did he return it?""
"He said he left it in the driveway.""
"Did you see him return it?""
Michael paused.
"No.""
Daniel wrote something down.
"Did you notice anything unusual about the vehicle?""
Michael suddenly remembered a small detail.
"There was mud on the passenger-side floor mat.""
Daniel looked up.
"Your car was clean?""
"Sarah hated dirty cars. She used to complain if I brought home even a little mud.""
"Did you ask Jason?""
"He said he'd driven through a construction site.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That could be important.""
Before he could continue, a court officer approached.
"Mr. Brooks, Emily wants to speak with you.""
They returned to the courtroom.
Emily sat beside a female social worker, drawing on a piece of paper.
She looked up when Michael approached.
"Daddy, I remembered something.""
Michael crouched.
"What is it, sweetheart?""
"Uncle Jason came to our house that night.""
Michael went still.
"What night?""
"The night Mommy went away.""
Daniel crouched beside them.
"Can you tell us what happened?""
Emily nodded.
"I was in bed. Mommy told me to stay in my room because she was going to talk to Uncle Jason.""
Michael swallowed.
"Did you see him?""
"Yes. He was wearing his black jacket.""
"Was Grandma there?""
Emily nodded.
"She came later.""
Daniel looked at Michael.
"That's consistent with the recording.""
Emily continued.
"Uncle Jason was angry. Mommy said he had to give back the papers. Then he said she couldn't tell anyone.""
"What happened next?"" Daniel asked.
Emily stared at her drawing.
"I heard a loud noise.""
Michael closed his eyes.
"Then?""
"I went downstairs.""
The social worker gently interrupted.
"Emily, you don't have to continue if you don't want to.""
But Emily shook her head.
"I want Daddy to know.""
Michael held her hand.
"Take your time.""
Emily swallowed.
"Mommy was on the floor. Uncle Jason was standing near her. Grandma was holding a towel.""
Daniel's pen stopped moving.
"A towel?""
Emily nodded.
"Grandma said there was too much blood.""
Michael's face drained of color.
"What did Jason do?""
"He picked Mommy up.""
"Did he call an ambulance?""
Emily shook her head.
"He said he needed the car.""
Michael looked at Daniel.
The room seemed to tilt.
"Did Grandma see you?"" Daniel asked.
Emily nodded.
"She told me to go upstairs.""
"Did she say anything else?""
Emily looked down.
"She said if I loved Mommy, I wouldn't tell anyone what happened.""
Michael pulled his daughter into his arms.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
Emily began crying.
"I didn't want Mommy to be angry with me.""
Michael held her tighter.
"Mommy could never be angry with you. Never.""
Daniel looked toward the social worker.
"Can you document this statement and ensure the child receives appropriate support?""
"Of course.""
Then Daniel stood and approached the prosecutor.
"We need an emergency hearing.""
Collins looked annoyed.
"What now?""
"We have a child witness placing Jason and Victoria inside the victim's home immediately after the incident.""
Collins looked toward Emily.
Then at Michael.
"Are you certain she understands what she's saying?""
"She's seven. We will not pressure her, but her statement requires investigation.""
Collins nodded reluctantly.
"I'll speak with the detectives.""
At that moment, Jason emerged from the courtroom.
He looked directly at Emily.
"Hey, little girl.""
Emily immediately hid behind Michael.
Jason frowned.
"What's wrong with her?""
Michael stepped between them.
"Stay away from my daughter.""
Jason raised both hands.
"Relax. I'm her uncle.""
"Not anymore.""
Jason's smile vanished.
"Careful, Michael. You're not the only person who can lose everything.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Is that a threat?""
Jason shrugged.
"Interpret it however you want.""
Then he walked away.
Daniel watched him disappear around the corner.
"He's nervous.""
Michael looked toward the courtroom doors.
"Good.""
But Daniel wasn't convinced the danger had passed.
Twenty minutes later, the police returned with a new discovery.
They had searched the property where Jason had been living.
Inside a locked garage, they found Michael's old vehicle.
It had been repainted.
The license plates had been replaced.
And underneath the passenger seat, investigators discovered a small silver necklace.
Michael recognized it immediately.
Sarah had worn it every day.
A tiny silver heart with Emily's birthstone in the center.
He had given it to her on their first wedding anniversary.
Daniel stared at the evidence photograph.
"Why would Jason keep this?""
Michael's voice broke.
"Because he took it from her.""
But there was something else.
The necklace was wrapped in a folded piece of paper.
On it, Sarah had written a single sentence:
If Michael is arrested, look inside the house where my father died.
Daniel read it twice.
"Where did Sarah's father die?""
Michael looked at him.
"In his study.""
"At Victoria's house?""
Michael nodded.
"Why would she leave something there?""
Before Daniel could answer, a detective approached.
"Mr. Brooks, we have a problem.""
Daniel turned.
"What?""
"Jason is gone.""
"Where?""
"We don't know. He left through the rear parking entrance.""
Michael stood.
"You're telling me you let him walk out?""
The detective shook his head.
"We were waiting for authorization to detain him.""
Daniel looked furious.
"Then get authorization now.""
The detective lowered his voice.
"There's another issue.""
"What?""
"Victoria has also disappeared.""
Michael looked toward Emily.
She was staring at the necklace photograph.
Then she whispered something.
"Daddy?""
"Yes?""
"Mommy said Grandpa's house wasn't the real hiding place.""
Daniel turned.
"What do you mean?""
Emily pointed at the sentence on the paper.
"Mommy said Grandpa died before Grandma moved into that house.""
Michael frowned.
"Then where was she talking about?""
Emily's eyes filled with tears.
"The house where Grandpa kept his other family.""
Daniel slowly looked up.
Michael stared at his daughter.
"Sarah knew about another family?""
Emily nodded.
May you like
"Mommy said Grandpa had a secret room.""
And somewhere inside that room, Sarah had hidden something powerful enough to make both Victoria and Jason run.
