Chapter 5 - THE ESCAPE
Elena sprinted to the security panel.
"South garage."
Richard looked around.
Mark was still there.
Claudia was gone.
By the time they reached the garage, her SUV was already fishtailing onto the private road.
"She took the red folder," Dana said.
Noah appeared behind them.
"And my backpack."
Inside it were Sarah's photographs and the broken pieces of the cedar box.
Richard called the sheriff.
Mark laughed. "You're calling the police over a backpack?"
"I'm calling because your wife may be destroying evidence, and my grandson says he's afraid of both of you."
Ten minutes later, a deputy reported that Claudia's SUV had been found in a snowbank half a mile down the mountain.
The driver's door was open.
Claudia was gone.
So was the backpack.
Dr. Patel arrived and examined Noah. When he came downstairs, his face was grim.
"Mild frost injury. No permanent damage that I can see. But there is older bruising. Different ages. I have to report it."
"Do it," Richard said.
Mark exploded. "You son of a bitch!"
He lunged for the doctor.
Richard caught him and slammed him against the wall.
"You will not touch another person in this house."
Mark glared at him. "You think I'm the monster? Ask Sarah why she wanted you controlling her shares instead of me."
Richard froze.
"What did you say?"
Mark smiled. "That's what was in the bank box."
Headlights appeared through the windows.
The sheriff had arrived.
And behind his vehicle came another car.
Richard's chief financial officer, Thomas Vance, stepped out.
Richard stared at him.
"Tom? Why are you here?"
May you like
Thomas looked at Mark.
That was answer enough.
