Chapter 11 - Jessica's Choice
Jessica disappeared that afternoon.
She left her phone in the hospital bathroom and walked out through a staff exit.
Ryan realized it twenty minutes later.
"She went after Margaret."
Thomas shook his head. "She wouldn't."
Ryan rounded on him.
"You don't know either of your children as well as you think you do."
That landed hard.
Detective Brooks traced Jessica's car through traffic cameras.
It headed north toward the Carter family lake house.
Ryan knew the place immediately.
"Mom used to take Jessica there when they fought with Dad."
"Margaret," I corrected softly.
He looked at me.
The word mother had become complicated overnight.
Police reached the lake house first.
Jessica was inside.
So was Margaret.
No weapons.
No struggle.
Just two women sitting across from each other at an old dining table.
A recorder lay between them.
Brooks called Ryan from the scene.
"Your sister contacted Margaret and told her she wanted to help. She got her talking."
"Talking about what?"
Jessica's recorded voice played over speaker.
"Did you mean to hurt Anna?"
Margaret answered, calm and tired.
"I meant to make Thomas choose."
Jessica: "And Emily?"
Margaret: "Emily was supposed to become confused. Emotional. Difficult. Just long enough for Ryan to sign the proxy."
Ryan closed his eyes.
Then Jessica asked the question that broke the room.
"Did Dad know what you gave Anna?"
A long silence.
Margaret finally said, "Not the first time."
Ryan looked at Thomas.
The old man went gray.
"The first time?" Ryan whispered.
Brooks stopped the recording.
"There's more."
Thomas sat down.
"Play it."
May you like
Margaret's voice returned.
"The second time, Thomas watched me pour it."
