Chapter 3 - DEAD ON PAPER
Ethan dropped beside her.
Claire smelled like sweat and antiseptic.
“What happened to you?”
She looked past him at Vanessa.
“Close the door.”
“No.”
“Ethan, please.”
“Go to my office.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I’m right here.”
“Sophie.”
Then slowly stepped forward.
Claire touched her cheek.
“I’m sorry.”
She threw both arms around her mother.
Claire held her like she was afraid somebody would take her away again.
Vanessa remained in the hall.
“Start talking.”
“Not here.”
“Why?”
“Because the house is wired.”
“What?”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
That was confirmation enough.
Ethan looked toward the ceiling.
Security cameras covered the exterior.
He had installed some of them himself.
But Claire wasn’t talking about those.
He shut the nursery door.
“Who’s listening?”
Claire whispered one name.
“Graham.”
Ethan knew exactly who she meant.
Graham Voss.
Best friend for fifteen years.
The man who stood beside Ethan at Claire’s funeral.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Graham identified your body.”
“That wasn’t me.”
“He signed the medical release.”
“I know.”
“I buried you.”
“I know.”
“What happened?”
“Eighteen months ago, I found transfers from Cole-Voss Development into companies that didn’t exist.”
“Our company?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Almost forty million.”
Vanessa said quietly, “More now.”
“You knew?”
“Some.”
“I confronted Graham first.”
“Why not me?”
“Because your name was on the approvals.”
“I never approved stolen money.”
“I know that now.”
“But then?”
“I thought you were part of it.”
Claire wiped her nose with the back of her hand.
“Graham told me he could explain. He asked me to meet him.”
“Where?”
“The cliff road.”
Ethan remembered the accident.
Claire’s car found smashed against rocks.
Dental records confirmed her identity.
“What happened?”
“He drugged me.”
Vanessa whispered, “And replaced the body.”
“You helped.”
“Yes.”
Sophie lifted her head from Claire’s chest.
“Mommy?”
“I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
Claire gave a tiny, broken smile.
“You’re right.”
Ethan pointed at Vanessa.
“Why was she involved?”
“Because Vanessa wasn’t your fiancée yet.”
“What was she?”
May you like
Claire’s voice barely carried.
“Graham’s fixer.”
