Chapter 5 - ANNA’S LAST RECORDINGThe bank provided a secure computer.
Ethan inserted the memory card.
A video appeared.
Anna sat inside her car.
Rain moved across the windshield behind her.
Her face looked exhausted.
“Ethan, I hope you never have to watch this.”
Her recorded voice filled the private room.
“I discovered that Celeste and Richard have been stealing from the family companies.”
“They are married.”
“Celeste told me Richard was her cousin because she wanted access to our home.”
Ethan gripped the edge of the table.
Anna continued.
“The money is only part of it.”
“My grandfather’s trust was never dissolved.”
“My father hid it because several relatives tried to seize control.”
“When I die, everything passes to Sophie.”
“Celeste found out.”
Detective Bennett leaned closer to the screen.
Anna looked over her shoulder as though she feared someone was approaching.
“She needs Sophie in Zurich.”
“The trustees require the beneficiary’s physical presence before recognizing a substitute guardian.”
“Celeste has been collecting samples of my signature.”
“She is also trying to turn Ethan against me.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
During the final months of Anna’s life, Celeste had often suggested that Anna was emotionally unstable.
She claimed Anna was paranoid.
She told Ethan that grief over her father’s death had changed her.
Ethan had believed she was helping.
Instead, Celeste had been isolating Anna.
The recording continued.
“Richard has access to Ethan’s vehicles.”
“He asked strange questions about the braking systems.”
“If anything happens to me, examine my car before the insurance company takes it.”
The video suddenly shook.
A vehicle appeared in Anna’s rearview mirror.
Anna turned toward it.
Her fear was unmistakable.
“They found me.”
The recording ended.
Ethan sat frozen.
Anna’s car had gone through a guardrail on a wet road.
The official investigation concluded that she lost control during the storm.
Her vehicle had been destroyed after the insurance examination.
Ethan had authorized it.
He had allowed Celeste to arrange the paperwork because he was too devastated to handle it himself.
Detective Bennett removed the memory card.
“We need to find whoever inspected that car.”
Ethan’s phone rang.
It was Claire.
Her voice was trembling.
“Ethan, someone tried to enter the house.”
“Is Sophie safe?”
“Yes.”
“But they left something at the door.”
“What?”
“A photograph of Anna’s wrecked car.”
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Written across the image were five words.
STOP OPENING THE DEAD WOMAN’S SECRETS.
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