Chapter 11 - ISABELLA
Adrian stood so quickly the chair rolled backward.
"No."
Claire nodded through tears.
"They worked together years ago."
Isabella had been an art consultant before Oliver was born.
Vanessa worked briefly for the same private foundation.
They were never friends.
But they knew each other.
Adrian had never been told.
Claire said Vanessa followed Isabella's social media after she left the foundation.
She knew about Adrian.
The estate.
The baby.
The trust.
Then Isabella died in a car accident.
Four months later, Vanessa "accidentally" met Adrian at a charity dinner.
Adrian's face changed.
Maria knew what he was thinking.
Was that meeting accidental?
Police searched Vanessa's email archive.
They found messages she had sent herself.
ADRIAN COLE - WIDOWER - INFANT SON.
Another note:
ISABELLA TRUST CONTROL REMAINS WITH FATHER UNTIL CHILD AGE 25.
Then:
MARRIAGE MAY CREATE GUARDIANSHIP PATH.
Maria sat down.
Vanessa had studied them before entering their lives.
Adrian whispered, "Was Isabella's accident really an accident?"
The room went silent.
Police cautioned him not to jump ahead.
There was no evidence Vanessa had anything to do with the crash.
But old questions returned.
The car had lost control on a wet road.
No other vehicle was involved.
The investigation had closed quickly.
Claire said, "I don't think Vanessa caused it."
"You don't think?"
"She was shocked when it happened."
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"You've been wrong before."
Detectives requested the old accident file.
Hours later, they found something interesting.
A witness had reported a dark SUV parked near the curve shortly before the crash.
The witness could not identify the driver.
But the license plate began with the letters VR.
May you like
Vanessa Reed drove a dark SUV.
And her old plate began with VR.
