Chapter 15 - Rosa's Own Name
Rosa had not disappeared because she was guilty. She'd gone to her sister's house after someone left an envelope of cash and a copy of the forged resignation beneath her windshield wiper. Tucked inside was a note: SIGN IT FOR REAL.
Ruiz located her through a family member. She arranged a private interview, with Rosa's daughter and an advocate nearby. Rosa's hands shook as she described the noise in the kitchen, Margaret's voice saying nobody would believe Emily, and the moment she'd found Emily on the floor.
"I was afraid of losing my job," Rosa admitted. "Then I was afraid of losing my daughter."
Ruiz asked about the camera work order. Rosa explained that she'd kept the discarded copy after Margaret ordered it shredded. She also described Graham's frequent late visits and the boxes of Morrow Court invoices he carried out through the service entrance.
"I didn't know what was in the boxes," she said. "I know what I saw. I won't pretend I saw more."
At the hospital, Emily listened as June reported that Rosa was safe and cooperating.
"Tell her she doesn't owe us an apology," Emily said.
"I'll tell her."
Nora's breathing was improving. Daniel learned how to wash his hands for NICU visits, how to read her tiny signals, and how to sit through long stretches when love meant doing almost nothing but waiting beside her.
At nine that night, June received a message from Graham Pike. It wasn't sent through a company address. It came from his personal phone.
I have the payment records. Margaret's going to make me take the fall. I will talk, but I need a lawyer.
May you like
A second message followed, with a photograph of a locked file cabinet and one sentence.
The original contracts are still inside her house.
