Chapter 11 - NINE MINUTES
Nine minutes became the longest number in Evan's life.
"Why?"
Helen sat at the kitchen table with both hands wrapped around a mug she never drank from.
"I panicked."
Evan stood across from her.
"A woman was dying in a ditch."
"I know."
"My mother was dying."
Helen looked up.
"I know."
"Stop saying that."
Claire came between them.
"Let her finish."
Claire held his gaze.
"Not for her. For you."
Helen began speaking before Evan could answer.
"When I reached the car, Mara was conscious."
"She recognized me."
"What did she say?"
"She asked if you were safe."
Helen's face crumpled.
"Then she told me Martin had tried to scare her off the road."
"She named him?"
"Yes."
"And you still waited."
Helen cried openly now.
"She gave me the red folder."
"I sat there holding proof that could send Martin to prison and destroy Robert's company."
"And I hated her."
"For nine minutes, I hated her more than I loved what was right."
Helen's voice shook behind him.
"Then she stopped talking."
"That was when I called."
"Did the delay kill her?"
"I don't know."
"Did you ever ask?"
Helen whispered, "No."
Claire started crying too.
For once, Evan felt no urge to comfort either of them.
The next morning, the medical examiner who had reviewed Mara's old file called him.
The crash injuries had been severe but not immediately fatal.
"Could nine minutes have mattered?" Evan asked.
"It could have. We cannot prove that it did."
A man's voice said, "If you want the original ownership ledger, come alone."
"Who is this?"
"Someone your father paid to disappear."
"Where?"
An abandoned Bennett & Cole warehouse.
Then he added one warning.
"Do not tell Martin."
May you like
A pause.
"And do not tell Helen."
