Chapter 6 - Claire’s Storage Unit
The storage facility opened at six in the morning.
Richard was there at six-oh-two.
Anna stayed at the cottage with Leo while Owen and a private investigator accompanied him. By seven, Richard was video-calling from a narrow concrete hallway lined with metal doors.
“The rental has been paid every month since Claire died,” he said.
“By who?”
“Cashier’s checks.”
The lock had already been cut by the facility manager after Richard produced Claire’s death certificate and proof of estate authority.
Inside were six banker boxes, a locked suitcase, and one framed photograph facedown on a folding table.
Richard lifted it.
Claire and Vanessa, years younger, standing beside a lake.
On the back Claire had written: Sisters are the family we choose.
Richard’s mouth tightened.
“They weren’t sisters,” Anna said.
“No. But Claire treated her like one.”
The boxes contained financial records.
At first they looked ordinary.
Then Owen found duplicate invoices from the Blackwood Children’s Foundation—millions in consulting fees routed through companies that did no consulting.
One name appeared again and again.
VOSS STRATEGIC ADVISORY.
Graham.
Then another.
V.M. HOLDINGS.
Vanessa Marie Blackwood.
Anna felt sick.
“They were stealing from the foundation.”
Richard nodded. “Claire must have found out.”
The locked suitcase was harder.
Owen forced it open.
Inside was a laptop, a flash drive, and an envelope addressed in Claire’s handwriting.
RICHARD — IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME.
Richard sat down on the concrete floor.
For a long moment, he could not open it.
Finally he tore the envelope.
Claire’s letter was short.
Richard read it aloud.
“Vanessa and Graham have been moving money. I confronted Graham. He said I was confused and told me to stop digging. Vanessa begged me not to tell you until she could fix it. I don’t believe her anymore.”
Richard stopped.
Anna whispered, “Keep going.”
His voice broke slightly.
“If something happens to me, do not let Vanessa control Leo’s trust. The amended documents are not mine. I never signed them.”
The next line made Richard close his eyes.
“And please believe me the first time.”
No one spoke.
Anna could hear the fluorescent lights buzzing through the phone.
Richard folded the letter carefully.
Then Owen held up the flash drive.
“We should make copies before we open this.”
They did.
The first folder contained spreadsheets.
The second contained photos.
The third was titled GARAGE.
Richard clicked it.
A video opened.
Claire had apparently filmed through a cracked doorway.
Vanessa and Graham stood beside Claire’s blue SUV.
Graham was holding a wrench.
Vanessa said, “If she drives tomorrow, we’re out of time.”
The video ended.
Richard stared at the screen.
Then a new message appeared on Anna’s phone.
May you like
Unknown number.
STOP DIGGING OR THE NEXT FALL WON’T BE AN ACCIDENT.
