Chapter 9: The Recording## Chapter 9: The Recording That That Destroyed Everything
Nobody spoke after Linda's voice came through Destroyed Everything
Nobody spoke after Linda's voice came through the recorder.
Emily sat frozen.
Jace gripped the back of her chair so tightly that his the recorder.
Emily sat frozen.
Jace gripped the back of her chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Rebecca stopped the recording.
“Play that again,” Jace knuckles turned white.
Rebecca stopped the recording.
“Play that again,” Jace demanded.
Detective Harris nodded.
The recording played once more.
Victor's voice.
Daniel's voice.
And then demanded.
Detective Harris nodded.
The recording played once more.
Victor's voice.
Daniel's voice.
And then Linda.
“I'll make sure Margaret takes the bottle tonight.””
Jace turned toward Linda.
“I'll make sure Margaret takes the bottle tonight.””
Jace turned toward Daniel.
“You knew?””
Daniel looked at the table.
“Victor told me it was supposed to frighten her. He said it would Daniel.
“You knew?””
Daniel looked at the table.
“Victor told me it was supposed to frighten her. He said it would make her too weak to continue investigating.””
“You knew it was poison?””
“I knew it wasn't ordinary medication.””
Jace make her too weak to continue investigating.””
“You knew it was poison?””
“I knew it wasn't ordinary medication.””
Jace slammed his palm against the table.
“MY BROTHER DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!””
slammed his palm against the table.
“MY BROTHER DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!””
Detective Harris stood immediately.
“Mr. Morgan, step back.””
Jace's breathing became uneven.
Emily had never seen him like thisDetective Harris stood immediately.
“Mr. Morgan, step back.””
Jace's breathing became uneven.
Emily had never seen him like this.
He looked less like the confident biker who had cheered for her at graduation and more.
He looked less like the confident biker who had cheered for her at graduation and more like someone who had spent sixteen years carrying a wound that had never healed.
Daniel raised his head.
“I didn't kill Robert.””
“You helped like someone who had spent sixteen years carrying a wound that had never healed.
Daniel raised his head.
“I didn't kill Robert.””
“You helped them!””
“I know.””
“You knew they were going to tamper with his motorcycle!””
them!””
“I know.””
“You knew they were going to tamper with his motorcycle!””
Daniel covered his face.
“I was supposed to warn him.””
JaceDaniel covered his face.
“I was supposed to warn him.””
Jace froze.
“What?””
Daniel slowly lowered his hands.
“Robert called me the night before the accident.””
The room became completely silent froze.
“What?””
Daniel slowly lowered his hands.
“Robert called me the night before the accident.””
The room became completely silent.
“He knew something was wrong. He told me Victor had threatened him.
“He knew something was wrong. He told me Victor had threatened him. He asked me to meet him at a gas station outside town.””
Jace stepped closer.
“Did you go?””
Daniel. He asked me to meet him at a gas station outside town.””
Jace stepped closer.
“Did you go?””
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
“Why?””
“Victor called me afterward. He said if I helped Robert, shook his head.
“No.””
“Why?””
“Victor called me afterward. He said if I helped Robert, Margaret and the baby would be next.””
Jace stared at him.
“So you Margaret and the baby would be next.””
Jace stared at him.
“So you let my brother die.””
Daniel began crying.
“I was afraid.””
Jace turned away.
For several let my brother die.””
Daniel began crying.
“I was afraid.””
Jace turned away.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked at Emily.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.””
She shook her head.
“You seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked at Emily.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.””
She shook her head.
“You don't have to apologize.””
“Yes, I don't have to apologize.””
“Yes, I do. I promised myself I would never let what happened to Robert happen to someone else. And I didn't know I was do.
I promised myself I would never let what happened to Robert happen to someone else. And I didn't know I was standing beside his daughter.””
Emily reached for his hand.
“You didn't know.””
Jace standing beside his daughter.””
Emily reached for his hand.
“You didn't know.””
Jace lowered his head.
But Emily wasn't finished.
She turned toward Daniel.
“Did Mom know?””
Daniel nodded.
“She found out lowered his head.
But Emily wasn't finished.
She turned toward Daniel.
“Did Mom know?””
Daniel nodded.
“She found out about Robert's call. She knew I hadn't warned him.””
Emily swallowed.
“That's why about Robert's call. She knew I hadn't warned him.””
Emily swallowed.
“That's why she stopped trusting you?””
“Yes.””
“And when she discovered the money was missing, she threatened to report you she stopped trusting you?””
“Yes.””
“And when she discovered the money was missing, she threatened to report you?””
Daniel nodded again.
Emily stared at the man who had once been her father.
“Then you let her die.””
?””
Daniel nodded again.
Emily stared at the man who had once been her father.
“Then you let her die.””
Daniel didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Detective Harris switched off the recorder.
“Daniel didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Detective Harris switched off the recorder.
“Mr. Carter, you're being formally detained pending further investigation into financial fraud, evidence concealmentMr. Carter, you're being formally detained pending further investigation into financial fraud, evidence concealment, and conspiracy.””
Daniel looked at Emily.
“Please. I know I don't deserve, and conspiracy.””
Daniel looked at Emily.
“Please. I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but you're my daughter.””
Emily stood.
“You had sixteen years forgiveness, but you're my daughter.””
Emily stood.
“You had sixteen years to be my father.””
She walked toward the door.
“And you chose not to.””
Outside the to be my father.””
She walked toward the door.
“And you chose not to.””
Outside the station, Jace sat on the curb.
His helmet rested beside him.
Marcus approached carrying two station, Jace sat on the curb.
His helmet rested beside him.
Marcus approached carrying two bottles of water.
He handed one to Jace.
“You okay?””
Jace bottles of water.
He handed one to Jace.
“You okay?””
Jace stared at the pavement.
“No.””
Marcus sat beside him.
“Robert would be proud of you.””
J stared at the pavement.
“No.””
Marcus sat beside him.
“Robert would be proud of you.””
Jace shook his head.
“I should have found her sooner.””
“You didn't know.””
“I knew something wasace shook his head.
“I should have found her sooner.””
“You didn't know.””
“I knew something was wrong. I knew Margaret was afraid. I should've kept looking.””
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You can't spend wrong. I knew Margaret was afraid. I should've kept looking.””
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You can't spend the rest of your life punishing yourself for things you couldn't have known.””
Jace looked toward the station.
the rest of your life punishing yourself for things you couldn't have known.””
Jace looked toward the station.
“I heard his voice on that recording.””
Marcus nodded.
“Yeah.””
“My brother“I heard his voice on that recording.””
Marcus nodded.
“Yeah.””
“My brother called Daniel because he trusted him.””
Jace's eyes filled.
“And Daniel let him die.””
Marcus called Daniel because he trusted him.””
Jace's eyes filled.
“And Daniel let him die.””
Marcus didn't offer another speech.
didn't offer another speech.
He simply sat there.
Sometimes friendship meant staying beside someone when there was nothing useful left to say.
TheHe simply sat there.
Sometimes friendship meant staying beside someone when there was nothing useful left to say.
The following afternoon, Emily received a message from Linda.
*Please come see me. There's something following afternoon, Emily received a message from Linda.
Please come see me. There's something else you need to know.
Emily showed it to Rebecca.
“I want else you need to know.*
Emily showed it to Rebecca.
“I want to go.””
Rebecca considered it.
“I'll accompany you. Detective Harris will also be to go.””
Rebecca considered it.
“I'll accompany you. Detective Harris will also be informed.””
They arranged to meet Linda at a lawyer's office.
When Emily entered, informed.””
They arranged to meet Linda at a lawyer's office.
When Emily entered, her aunt was already seated.
She looked smaller than Emily remembered.
Her hair was uncom her aunt was already seated.
She looked smaller than Emily remembered.
Her hair was uncombed, and her eyes were swollen.
“Thank you for coming,” Linda whispered.
Emily sat acrossbed, and her eyes were swollen.
“Thank you for coming,” Linda whispered.
Emily sat across from her.
“Talk.””
Linda clasped her hands.
“I need you to from her.
“Talk.””
Linda clasped her hands.
“I need you to understand that I never wanted your mother dead.””
Emily stared at her.
“You gave her the bottle understand that I never wanted your mother dead.””
Emily stared at her.
“You gave her the bottle.””
“I thought it was medication.””
“You knew it wasn't prescribed.””
Linda began crying.
“Victor.””
“I thought it was medication.””
“You knew it wasn't prescribed.””
Linda began crying.
“Victor told me it was something that would make her sleep. He said she was becoming dangerous to herself.””
“And you told me it was something that would make her sleep. He said she was becoming dangerous to herself.””
“And you believed him?””
“I wanted to believe him.””
Emily leaned back.
“Why?””
Linda looked toward the believed him?””
“I wanted to believe him.””
Emily leaned back.
“Why?””
Linda looked toward the window.
“Because I owed him money. Years earlier, I'd borrowed money from one of his businesses. When I window.
“Because I owed him money. Years earlier, I'd borrowed money from one of his businesses. When I couldn't repay it, he threatened to tell everyone about my debts.””
“So you helped him?””
“I was scared couldn't repay it, he threatened to tell everyone about my debts.””
“So you helped him?””
“I was scared.””
Emily shook her head.
“You keep saying that like fear makes everything.””
Emily shook her head.
“You keep saying that like fear makes everything acceptable.””
Linda lowered her eyes.
“You're right.””
Then she acceptable.””
Linda lowered her eyes.
“You're right.””
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
“Your mother gave me this two days before she died.””
Emily stared.
“Why didn't you give it reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
“Your mother gave me this two days before she died.””
Emily stared.
“Why didn't you give it to me?””
Linda's voice broke.
“Because Victor told me that if you ever saw it, he'd make sure you disappeared.””
to me?””
Linda's voice broke.
“Because Victor told me that if you ever saw it, he'd make sure you disappeared.””
Rebecca took the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note and a small photograph.
The note was addressed to Linda.
*If anything happensRebecca took the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note and a small photograph.
The note was addressed to Linda.
If anything happens to me, please give Emily this photograph. Tell her Robert loved her before he to me, please give Emily this photograph. Tell her Robert loved her before he ever held her.
Emily opened the photograph.
It showed Robert standing outside a hospital nursery ever held her.*
Emily opened the photograph.
It showed Robert standing outside a hospital nursery.
He was holding a tiny pink blanket.
On the back, Margaret had written:
*.
He was holding a tiny pink blanket.
On the back, Margaret had written:
The first gift from your daddy.
Emily began cryingThe first gift from your daddy.*
Emily began crying.
She had spent sixteen years believing she had been unwanted.
Now she was learning.
She had spent sixteen years believing she had been unwanted.
Now she was learning that a man she had never met had loved her before she was even born.
Linda reached that a man she had never met had loved her before she was even born.
Linda reached across the table.
“Emily, I know I don't deserve it, but I loved you.””
Emily looked at her aunt.
across the table.
“Emily, I know I don't deserve it, but I loved you.””
Emily looked at her aunt.
“Maybe you did.””
Linda began sobbing.
“But you let me believe I had nobody,” Emily“Maybe you did.””
Linda began sobbing.
“But you let me believe I had nobody,” Emily continued.
“You made me feel like I was lucky just to have a place to sleep.””
“I know.””
“I can't continued.
“You made me feel like I was lucky just to have a place to sleep.””
“I know.””
“I can't forgive you today.””
Linda nodded.
“I understand.””
Emily stood.
“Then help the police.””
That evening, Detective forgive you today.””
Linda nodded.
“I understand.””
Emily stood.
“Then help the police.””
That evening, Detective Harris received the final piece of evidence.
Linda had agreed to provide a Harris received the final piece of evidence.
Linda had agreed to provide a statement identifying Victor Hale as the person who supplied the bottle.
She also revealed that Victor had maintained a private office inside the statement identifying Victor Hale as the person who supplied the bottle.
She also revealed that Victor had maintained a private office inside the foundation's old administrative building.
According to Linda, he kept original financial records there.
The police foundation's old administrative building.
According to Linda, he kept original financial records there.
The police obtained a search warrant.
Jace, Emily, Marcus, and Rebecca waited outside while officers obtained a search warrant.
Jace, Emily, Marcus, and Rebecca waited outside while officers searched the property.
At first, searched the property.
At first, nothing appeared unusual.
Then an officer emerged carrying a locked metal case.
“Detective, you need to see this.””
Inside were original accounting ledgers, photographs nothing appeared unusual.
Then an officer emerged carrying a locked metal case.
“Detective, you need to see this.””
Inside were original accounting ledgers, photographs, and several envelopes.
One contained a handwritten letter from Robert.
Jace recognized his brother, and several envelopes.
One contained a handwritten letter from Robert.
Jace recognized his brother's handwriting immediately.
He opened it with trembling fingers.
*If anything happens's handwriting immediately.
He opened it with trembling fingers.
If anything happens to me, I want Jace to know that I tried to protect Margaret and the baby.
Jace swallowed.
to me, I want Jace to know that I tried to protect Margaret and the baby.*
Jace swallowed.
The letter continued.
*Victor has been moving money through the foundation. Daniel is involved, but I believe heThe letter continued.
Victor has been moving money through the foundation. Daniel is involved, but I believe he is being threatened. I have evidence that could bring the entire operation down.
At the bottom was one final paragraph.
is being threatened. I have evidence that could bring the entire operation down.*
At the bottom was one final paragraph.
There's someone inside the foundation helping Victor.There's someone inside the foundation helping Victor. Someone I never suspected. Someone Margaret trusts.*
Jace turned the page.
A name had been written there.
Someone I never suspected. Someone Margaret trusts.*
Jace turned the page.
A name had been written there.
He stared.
Marcus stepped closer.
“What is it?””
Jace handed himHe stared.
Marcus stepped closer.
“What is it?””
Jace handed him the letter.
Marcus read the name.
His expression changed.
“That's impossible.””
Emily approached.
“Who is it?””
Jace looked at her.
“The person who originally introduced the letter.
Marcus read the name.
His expression changed.
“That's impossible.””
Emily approached.
“Who is it?””
Jace looked at her.
“The person who originally introduced Victor to your mother.””
Emily's stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Jace hesitated.
Then he answered Victor to your mother.””
Emily's stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Jace hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Your mother's closest friend. The woman who helped her establish the.
“Your mother's closest friend. The woman who helped her establish the foundation.””
Rebecca searched the name on her phone.
Her face went pale foundation.””
Rebecca searched the name on her phone.
Her face went pale.
“She's still alive.””
Detective Harris stepped closer.
“Where is she?””
Rebecca looked up.
“She's the current chairwoman of the foundation.””
.
“She's still alive.””
Detective Harris stepped closer.
“Where is she?””
Rebecca looked up.
“She's the current chairwoman of the foundation.””
Her name was Evelyn Shaw.
For sixteen years, she had been celebrated as***
Her name was Evelyn Shaw.
For sixteen years, she had been celebrated as a respected philanthropist.
She appeared at charity dinners, spoke at university events, and regularly gave interviews a respected philanthropist.
She appeared at charity dinners, spoke at university events, and regularly gave interviews about helping disadvantaged children.
Her photograph had appeared in local newspapers dozens of about helping disadvantaged children.
Her photograph had appeared in local newspapers dozens of times.
Emily recognized her immediately.
Evelyn had attended her mother's funeral.
She had even sent Emily a Christmas card every year times.
Emily recognized her immediately.
Evelyn had attended her mother's funeral.
She had even sent Emily a Christmas card every year until she turned twelve.
Jace looked at Detective Harris.
“She knew Robert?””
until she turned twelve.
Jace looked at Detective Harris.
“She knew Robert?””
“She worked with him,” the detective replied.
“Then we need to speak“She worked with him,” the detective replied.
“Then we need to speak with her.””
Detective Harris shook his head.
“Not without a warrant. We need to establish probable cause.””
Rebecca with her.””
Detective Harris shook his head.
“Not without a warrant. We need to establish probable cause.””
Rebecca pointed to Robert's letter.
“This is enough to justify further investigation.””
The detective nodded.
pointed to Robert's letter.
“This is enough to justify further investigation.””
The detective nodded.
“We'll move carefully.””
The next morning, Evelyn Shaw appeared on television.
She was standing outside the foundation's headquarters“We'll move carefully.””
The next morning, Evelyn Shaw appeared on television.
She was standing outside the foundation's headquarters, surrounded by reporters.
“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations involving former employees, surrounded by reporters.
“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations involving former employees,” she announced.
“The foundation has always operated with transparency and integrity.””
Emily watched from the clubhouse television,” she announced.
“The foundation has always operated with transparency and integrity.””
Emily watched from the clubhouse television.
Evelyn smiled at the cameras.
Then a reporter asked about Margaret Carter.
Her smile disappeared for.
Evelyn smiled at the cameras.
Then a reporter asked about Margaret Carter.
Her smile disappeared for half a second.
“Margaret was a dear friend. I regret that her personal difficulties affected her work.””
Emily gripped half a second.
“Margaret was a dear friend. I regret that her personal difficulties affected her work.””
Emily gripped the remote.
“Personal difficulties?””
Jace switched off the television.
“She's trying to control the story.””
Marcus entered the remote.
“Personal difficulties?””
Jace switched off the television.
“She's trying to control the story.””
Marcus entered carrying a printed document.
“Detective Harris just called.””
Jace looked carrying a printed document.
“Detective Harris just called.””
Jace looked up.
“What happened?””
“Evelyn's private security company has been moving boxes up.
“What happened?””
“Evelyn's private security company has been moving boxes out of the foundation building since last night.””
Rebecca stood.
out of the foundation building since last night.””
Rebecca stood.
“Moving them where?””
Marcus handed her the paper.
“An airport storage facility“Moving them where?””
Marcus handed her the paper.
“An airport storage facility.””
Emily rose.
“She's running.””
Jace reached for his helmet.
Detective Harris called before.””
Emily rose.
“She's running.””
Jace reached for his helmet.
Detective Harris called before anyone could move.
His voice was urgent.
“Listen carefully. We've located Evelyn anyone could move.
His voice was urgent.
“Listen carefully. We've located Evelyn's vehicle.””
“Where?”” Jace asked.
“At the airport.””
A pause's vehicle.””
“Where?”” Jace asked.
“At the airport.””
A pause.
“She's preparing to leave the country.””
Emily stepped closer.
“Can the police.
“She's preparing to leave the country.””
Emily stepped closer.
“Can the police stop her?””
“We're working on it. But there's something else.””
“What?””
Detective Harris lowered his voice.
“We recovered a stop her?””
“We're working on it. But there's something else.””
“What?””
Detective Harris lowered his voice.
“We recovered a message from her office computer. It was sent to someone named Robert Morgan sixteen years ago.””
Jace message from her office computer. It was sent to someone named Robert Morgan sixteen years ago.””
Jace stopped breathing.
“Robert was dead by then.””
“I know.””
The detective paused.
“Which means the message was scheduled to stopped breathing.
“Robert was dead by then.””
“I know.””
The detective paused.
“Which means the message was scheduled to be delivered after his death.””
Emily looked at Jace.
“What did it say?””
The detective be delivered after his death.””
Emily looked at Jace.
“What did it say?””
The detective read the final line.
*The baby is safe. But if Jace ever discovers who his brother really read the final line.
The baby is safe. But if Jace ever discovers who his brother really was, everything will fall apart.
Jace slowly lowered his helmet.
Then Detective was, everything will fall apart.*
Jace slowly lowered his helmet.
Then Detective Harris added:
“Mr. Morgan, there's one more thing. Evelyn just requested a Harris added:
“Mr. Morgan, there's one more thing. Evelyn just requested a private meeting with Emily.””
Emily looked at the phone.
“Why me?””
The detective hesitated.
“Because she claims she has proof that private meeting with Emily.””
Emily looked at the phone.
“Why me?””
The detective hesitated.
“Because she claims she has proof that Robert Morgan wasn't your biological father.””
And suddenly, the truth Emily had fought so hard to uncover was Robert Morgan wasn't your biological father.””
May you like
And suddenly, the truth Emily had fought so hard to uncover was threatening to disappear all over again.
threatening to disappear all over again.
