Chapter 16 - The Thirty Seconds They Kept
Investigators recovered the original tablet video. Celeste's edited version made Evelyn seem unable to remember the year or recognize her husband.
In the uncut version, she answered both questions easily.
"That's Thomas on our first trip to Maine," Evelyn said. "And that photograph was taken in 1989, not 1988."
Celeste's voice sounded irritated.
"Let's start again. You're tired."
"No, dear. I'm finished."
The video kept running after Evelyn left the room. Celeste turned to a man sitting just outside the camera's frame.
"We only need thirty seconds that make her look gone," she said.
"And Naomi?" the man asked.
"The maid will be the problem. She notices too much."
Detective Brooks did not need Adrian to identify the voice. Investigators had records placing Martin Cross in the house that afternoon. The recording would be authenticated before anyone relied on it in court.
Dr. Singh also confirmed the laboratory had identified a medication Evelyn had not been prescribed. Medical and pharmacy records were now part of the investigation. The test alone could not establish who gave it to her.
"We have more than a test," Brooks said. "But we must prove each piece."
Adrian sat beside Evelyn's bed after the detectives left.
"I knew how to negotiate a billion-dollar contract," he said, "and I couldn't tell someone was hurting you in my own house."
"You could have told," Evelyn replied. "You didn't ask."
"I want to make it right."
"Then stop asking how to feel better. Ask what needs doing."
He nodded, fighting tears.
That evening, June called with news that investigators were preparing warrants connected to the fraud and suspected abuse.
But when officers reached the charter terminal, the aircraft was still on the ground and the passenger lounge was empty.
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Celeste and Martin had checked in hours earlier.
Then both had disappeared.
