Chapter 11 - The Pattern
Officer Daniels contacted Chicago police.
Sophie Brenner had survived the fall but suffered a skull fracture. The balcony latch had been found open. Anna had been the easiest person to blame.
A temporary caregiver named “Valerie Hale” disappeared the day after the accident.
Daniels stared at the old photograph. “We need a warrant.”
Richard looked sick. “For what?”
“For Vanessa’s financials, devices, travel history, anything connecting her to both families.”
Anna sat back.
“Why would she hurt Sophie?”
Daniels shook his head. “Maybe Sophie wasn’t the target.”
He pulled up the Brenner family record.
Sophie’s father had died six months after the accident.
Heart attack.
Age thirty-eight.
Anna felt a chill.
“What did he do for a living?”
Daniels checked.
“Venture capital.”
Richard’s face changed.
He knew the name too.
“Evan Brenner invested in my company.”
The room went silent.
Anna looked between them.
Richard whispered, “He was one of our earliest investors.”
Daniels leaned forward. “Did Vanessa know him?”
“I don’t know.”
Anna thought of Emily’s video.
Financial forms. Missing documents. Medication.
“She’s not targeting children,” Anna said.
Richard looked at her.
“She’s using them.”
The words felt horrible as soon as they left her mouth.
Daniels’ phone rang.
He answered, listened, then stood.
“They found Vanessa.”
“Where?”
“A motel outside the city.”
Richard started toward the door.
Daniels blocked him. “You’re staying here.”
“Is she in custody?”
The officer’s expression hardened.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because when officers entered the room, she was already gone.”
He showed them another image.
The motel bathroom mirror.
Written in red lipstick were four words.
ANNA KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED.
May you like
Then Daniels looked directly at Anna.
“Do you?”
