Chapter 15 - The Man Who Kept the Texts
Marcus met investigators with an attorney present. He admitted helping Vanessa create Briarfield Supply as a fake vendor and route stolen money through several accounts. He admitted he had gone to Olivia's school and that Vanessa had told him to retrieve a blue folder before the financial records reached the police.
Then the detective asked about the stroller.
Marcus rubbed his hands together. "Vanessa wanted Clara out of the house before the audit. She said Adrian would believe anything if he thought Emma was in danger. I told her she couldn't involve the baby."
"And what did you do to stop her?"
Marcus looked down. "Nothing."
His phone contained weeks of messages. In one, Vanessa wrote: SHE'LL LOOK DANGEROUS. ADRIAN WILL THROW HER OUT. Another read: MAKE SURE THE GIRL DOESN'T HAVE A COPY.
Marcus supplied the identity of the woman who had helped Vanessa move the file box. She was a temporary office assistant who believed she was transferring old tax documents. Her statement was prepared by Vanessa's lawyer, but she told investigators she had never witnessed the stroller incident.
A judge approved a search warrant for the storage unit. Officers found accounting ledgers, old signed forms, and a laptop containing scans of Adrian's electronic signature. The money trail led to two plots of land Vanessa had secretly purchased in her own name.
Adrian's attorney told him the result. "Olivia's trust may recover much of the money through the properties. It's going to take time."
"And Emma?"
"The child endangerment investigation is moving forward. Marcus's messages may help show intent."
Clara listened to the update beside a window while Emma slept. Relief did not feel like victory. She had wanted a safe baby and an ordinary home. Instead, she had lawyers, a shelter address, and photographs of a bruise.
Then the detective played one final voice message from Marcus's phone. Vanessa sounded breathless and furious.
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"If Clara won't leave, we'll make her leave. And if Adrian finds out about the money, I have something on him that will destroy him."
HE SLAPPED THE WOMAN WHO SAVED HIS BABY |
