Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT HE CAME HOME WITHOUT ME
Vincent had been inside our mansion the night before my accident.
He hadn't come to see me.
He hadn't called.
He hadn't even told me he was home.
The discovery hurt in a way I couldn't explain.
At the time, I'd been upstairs reading a novel, waiting for a message that never came.
Vincent had been less than fifty feet away.
And somehow, I'd still been alone.
Rachel arranged for the investigators to question him.
Vincent cooperated.
He admitted returning to the mansion late that evening.
"I met Anthony and Vanessa in my study," he explained.
"What was the meeting about?"
"The merger."
"Why didn't you tell your wife?"
Vincent lowered his eyes.
"Because I didn't think she needed to know."
The investigator paused.
"Did you authorize anyone to photograph her vehicle?"
"No."
"Did you know about the planned collision?"
Vincent looked horrified.
"Absolutely not."
The investigators reviewed the security footage.
At 11:36, Vincent entered.
At 11:39, Anthony arrived.
At 11:41, Vanessa stepped onto the balcony.
At 11:42, she took the photograph.
Vincent remained inside the study.
The footage showed him reviewing documents with Anthony.
It didn't establish that he knew about the photograph.
But it confirmed something important.
Vanessa had been able to coordinate the operation while Vincent was present and distracted.
The investigators also recovered a message Vanessa sent Anthony that night.
He's signing the paperwork now. Claire won't be a problem tomorrow.
My chest tightened when Rachel showed it to me.
Vincent had been signing documents while Vanessa arranged the destruction of my life.
He might not have known about the collision.
But his carelessness had helped create the opportunity.
That evening, Vincent called Rachel.
He asked whether I would accept a letter.
I hesitated.
Then agreed.
The envelope arrived the following morning.
Inside was a handwritten note.
Claire,
I don't expect forgiveness.
I don't deserve to ask for it.
I failed you long before the accident.
I made you feel alone inside our marriage.
I gave other people authority over your life because I couldn't be bothered to understand what they were doing.
That was my failure.
I didn't know about the plan to hurt you.
But I know my neglect helped create the circumstances in which it became possible.
I'm sorry.
I read the letter twice.
Then folded it.
For the first time, Vincent wasn't defending himself.
He wasn't promising expensive gifts.
He wasn't telling me I misunderstood.
He was taking responsibility.
But responsibility couldn't bring my baby back.
And an apology couldn't erase seven years.
I placed the letter in a drawer.
Then Rachel called.
"Claire, the prosecutors have made their first arrests."
I closed my eyes.
"Who?"
"Anthony Moretti and two people connected to the transportation company."
I exhaled.
"And Vanessa?"
"They're still looking for her."
My stomach tightened.
"She's missing?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Yes."
Then she added:
"Investigators believe she withdrew a large amount of money before disappearing."
I swallowed.
"How much?"
Rachel answered quietly.
"Twenty million dollars."
May you like
The exact amount of the life insurance policy someone had attempted to take out on me.
And the money had come from an account bearing Vincent's electronic authorization.
