Chapter 2 - The Emails
I locked the office door and called the police.
Not company security.
Not Marcus.
Police.
Vanessa sat in the living room with her arms folded while Noah and Lily stayed upstairs with Mrs. Alvarez, our housekeeper.
"You're overreacting," Vanessa said.
"My sister has been dead for thirteen months."
"You don't know what happened."
"Then tell me."
Every email from Claire was still there.
I had read them so many times I knew some by heart.
The first message arrived at 2:18 a.m. three days after the date on the certificate.
Daniel, I need you to stop trying to fix everything. I'm leaving. Don't contact me.
I had replied eleven times.
Then another message arrived six days later.
I am safe. Please respect this.
The word now made me sick.
Detective Lena Ortiz arrived with another officer. She took one look at the certificate and asked where I found it.
"My desk."
"Who has access?"
"Me. Vanessa. Staff. Sometimes company security."
Vanessa snapped, "I did not put it there."
Ortiz looked at her. "I didn't ask you yet."
I forwarded the emails to Ortiz.
She asked, "Did you ever speak to your sister on the phone after she disappeared?"
Every call went to voicemail.
Every message came by email or text.
I had told myself Claire was punishing me.
We had fought the week before she vanished.
She accused Vanessa of moving company money.
I accused Claire of hating my marriage.
The last thing I said to my sister in person was, "Maybe you should stay out of my life for a while."
Vanessa had repeated that sentence for months whenever guilt hit me.
You gave her what she wanted, Daniel. Space.
Ortiz asked, "What was your sister's role in the company?"
"Chief compliance officer."
"Could she authorize transfers?"
"Some."
"Could someone else use her credentials?"
"I want a lawyer."
Ortiz nodded. "Good idea."
Subject line:
STOP DIGGING.
I stared at it.
Ortiz leaned over my shoulder.
May you like
The body contained one sentence.
You already lost your sister. Don't make your children lose their father.
