Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT IN THE GARAGE
The video had no sound.
It did not need any.
Mason lifted Natalie’s car onto a service jack.
Vanessa stood near the garage entrance, watching the hallway.
Graham opened the hood.
For twelve minutes, the three of them moved around the vehicle.
Then Vanessa pointed toward the security camera.
Mason looked up.
The recording ended.
Adrian walked out of the nursery before anyone could stop him.
He reached the garage, stood where Natalie’s car had been, and stared at the empty concrete.
Clara followed but stayed near the doorway.
“You don’t have to stand here alone.”
“I sent her out that night.”
“What?”
“She wanted me to come with her to the foundation office. I told her I had a call with Singapore and asked her to go without me.”
“That is not the same as causing what happened.”
“I know what guilt does with facts.”
Clara said nothing.
Adrian rubbed both hands over his face.
“I missed everything.”
“No. You were deceived by people who planned around your habits.”
“I also hit you.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“You’re not going to make that easier for me.”
“No.”
“Good.”
His phone rang.
St. Catherine’s.
Emma had been cleared to leave later that afternoon, but there was a problem.
Vanessa was gone.
“What do you mean gone?” Adrian demanded.
“She left through a staff elevator while her attorney was speaking with security.”
“Where is Olivia?”
Clara’s head snapped up.
Adrian called his daughter.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Then Clara’s phone buzzed.
A text from Olivia.
DON’T CALL ME. VANESSA HAS SOMEONE WATCHING MY PHONE.
A second message appeared.
I TOOK MOM’S DRIVE. I’M SAFE FOR NOW.
Adrian grabbed the phone.
“Where are you?” he typed.
Three dots appeared.
Then vanished.
Finally:
MOM LEFT ANOTHER VIDEO. SHE SAID THERE WAS A FOURTH PERSON.
Adrian’s pulse hammered.
“Who?”
Olivia replied with a photograph.
It showed a man entering the garage after Graham.
Clara stared at the screen.
“I know him.”
Adrian looked at her.
May you like
“From where?”
“He hired me.”
