Chapter 14 - WHAT HER MOTHER SAW
Harper had spent two years believing cancer was the cruelest thing that had ever happened to her mother.
Now she learned Elena had lived with a secret for twelve years before she died.
Ortiz found the old case in an archived federal file.
A waterfront warehouse owned by Harper's grandfather had been sold under pressure to an Ashford shell company.
Elena, then twenty-three, worked in the title office.
She saw the fake documents.
One paid officer was Martin Wade.
"Why didn't she testify?" Harper asked.
Ortiz looked uncomfortable.
"She tried. The investigator assigned to her complaint later claimed she recanted."
"Did she?"
"We don't think so."
Gabriel sat nearby. Harper turned on him.
"Your father threatened her."
"Probably."
"And you expect me to trust you?"
"No."
Gabriel's answer stopped her.
"I expect you to use what I gave you."
Ortiz opened another file.
"Elena kept one piece of evidence outside the police system. A cassette recording referenced in her notes. It was never recovered."
Harper's mind raced.
Her mother had kept old boxes after every move. Photographs. Noah's baby things. A wooden sewing chest Harper had not opened since the funeral.
"I know where her things are."
Harper went with Ortiz and two agents. In the sewing chest, she found the cassette. Ortiz found an old player.
Static filled the storage unit.
Then Elena's younger voice.
"My name is Elena Queen. If you're hearing this, something happened to me. Thomas Ashford's people are moving money through our property, but the police officer helping him is Martin Wade."
Harper covered her mouth.
The recording continued.
"There is another officer. Younger. He says Wade can make me disappear. His last name is Lawson."
Harper stared at the player.
Derek's father had been a Boston cop.
May you like
Ortiz looked at her.
"Harper... Derek didn't find you by accident."
