Chapter 8 - The Hidden Memory Card
Daniel and Rebecca met Laura, who finally handed over a memory card Claire had hidden among Emma's childhood belongings.
It contained a short video recorded the day before the accident.
Claire appeared frightened, repeatedly glancing toward the car windows.
“If Daniel ever sees this, please tell him I tried to protect Emma,” she whispered. “I trusted the wrong person.”
A door slammed outside.
Claire turned toward the sound.
Then she looked directly into the camera.
“Daniel, don't assume Vanessa acted alone.”
The video ended.
Daniel replayed it repeatedly, searching for another clue.
Meanwhile, investigators traced Northbridge Holdings to a private company established by Andrew Cole shortly before his death.
The company's records showed that Emma's trust was scheduled to be transferred the following day.
Someone was attempting to seize control of a four-year-old child's inheritance.
Rebecca immediately contacted the appropriate authorities.
But that evening, Laura called Daniel in a panic.
“Someone broke into my apartment,” she whispered. “They took Claire's original documents.”
“Are you safe?”
“I think so. But Daniel, I found something they missed.”
She sent him a photograph of a document bearing his father's signature.
It authorized a financial arrangement involving Andrew Cole—months before Claire died.
Daniel stared at the signature.
His father had been dead for years, but the business arrangement had continued.
Then Laura sent one final message:
May you like
Your father wasn't protecting Vanessa. He was protecting someone much more dangerous.
Who had inherited the secret—and why did they need Emma's money now?
