Chapter 5 - Evelyn Makes Her Move
Evelyn Whitmore did not leave the mansion quietly.
At eleven that morning, she appeared in the main foyer with two suitcases and a lawyer.
Her expression was composed, her posture perfect.
“You cannot legally remove me from the property without notice,” she announced.
Richard stood at the foot of the staircase.
“You're an employee. Your employment has been suspended pending an investigation.”
“I have served this family faithfully for three years.”
“Then you'll have no trouble answering questions.”
Her lawyer stepped forward.
“Mr. Sterling, my client denies any wrongdoing. We strongly advise against making defamatory statements.”
Richard almost smiled.
“I haven't made any public statements.”
“Then I suggest you keep it that way.”
Evelyn turned toward the stairs.
“Where is Sophie?”
“Upstairs.”
“I'd like to say goodbye.”
“No.”
For the first time, her composure cracked.
“You can't keep me away from her.”
“I can keep you away from my daughter while we investigate why she was afraid to ask for food in her own home.”
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“You have no idea what that child is capable of.”
Richard stepped closer.
“Explain what you mean.”
“She lies. She steals. She invents stories.”
“About being hungry?”
“She wants attention.”
“About being frightened of you?”
Evelyn looked toward the security cameras.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Claire made the same mistake.”
Richard felt the blood drain from his face.
“What did you say?”
Evelyn straightened.
“Nothing.”
“No. You said Claire made a mistake. What mistake?”
Her lawyer grabbed her arm.
“We're leaving.”
But Richard had already heard enough.
“Daniel,” he called, “escort them out.”
As Evelyn reached the front door, she turned.
“You should ask your daughter what happened the night her mother died.”
Richard froze.
Evelyn smiled.
“Children remember more than adults think.”
The door closed behind her.
Richard immediately went upstairs.
Sophie was sitting on the rug with her stuffed animals arranged in a circle.
“Sweetheart, can I ask you something?”
She nodded.
“Do you remember the night Mommy died?”
Sophie looked down.
“I remember the rain.”
Richard sat beside her.
“What else?”
“A car.”
His heart began racing.
“Where were you?”
“In the car with Mommy.”
Richard couldn't move.
The official report had said Claire was alone.
Sophie rubbed her eyes.
“Mrs. Whitmore told me not to talk about it.”
Richard fought to keep his voice calm.
“What happened?”
“Mommy was crying. She said we had to go home.”
“Did you see Mrs. Whitmore?”
Sophie nodded.
“She was outside the car.”
Richard stared at her.
“Was anyone else there?”
Sophie thought for a moment.
“A man.”
“What did he look like?”
“I don't know. He had a black coat.”
“Did he talk to Mommy?”
Sophie nodded.
“He said she had something that belonged to him.”
Richard's hands began to shake.
“What happened next?”
Sophie pressed her face into her father's shoulder.
“There was a loud noise. Then Mommy told me to close my eyes.”
Richard held her until her breathing steadied.
He did not ask another question.
When he finally returned to his study, Daniel was waiting.
“Sir, we have a problem.”
Richard looked up.
“What's happened?”
“Mrs. Whitmore's vehicle left the property twenty minutes ago. But she never reached the main road.”
“Where is she?”
“We don't know.”
Daniel handed him a printed security image.
It showed Evelyn standing beside the rear entrance.
A man in a black coat was waiting for her.
Richard stared at the photograph.
Then he noticed the man's left hand.
A distinctive silver ring.
He had seen that ring before.
On a photograph of Thomas Vale.
The missing business partner.
The man who had disappeared six months before Claire's death.
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Find that man.”
Daniel nodded.
“And Richard?”
“What?”
“The system shows someone accessed Sophie's medical records this morning.”
“Who?”
Daniel swallowed.
“An account registered to a private investigator.”
Richard stood.
“Whose investigator?”
May you like
Daniel looked at the screen.
“Evelyn Whitmore's.”
