Chapter 13 - CLAIRE’S FINAL MESSAGE
Arthur refused to bring Bella anywhere near Plant Four.
Reyes agreed.
“The message is designed to divide us.”
Sarah examined the note.
“They do not only want Bella.”
“They want the evidence she remembers.”
Arthur looked at Claire’s flash drive.
“There may be more.”
They returned to the encrypted files.
One folder required a second password.
The question read.
WHERE DOES COURAGE LIVE?
Arthur remembered Claire using the phrase with Bella.
He asked his daughter.
Bella placed her hand over her heart.
“In the place that hurts.”
Sarah entered the words.
The final folder opened.
A video appeared.
Claire was sitting inside her car.
Rain moved across the windshield.
“If I do not reach the lake house, Malcolm has acted.”
Arthur gripped the edge of the desk.
Claire looked directly into the camera.
“Arthur, I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.”
“I was afraid you would confront him without evidence.”
“The original ledgers are beneath Plant Four.”
“But the ledgers are not the only proof.”
“Malcolm recorded every payment.”
“He kept copies to control Thomas and Vanessa.”
“The recording system is inside the old furnace control room.”
Claire’s voice became unsteady.
“Bella saw us arguing in the garage.”
“She heard Malcolm threaten me.”
“If anything happens, protect her from everyone connected to the company.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
Claire continued.
“And Arthur, do not let guilt make you cruel.”
“You trusted your brother because you loved him.”
“That is not weakness.”
“Refusing to see the truth after it is revealed would be weakness.”
The video ended.
No one spoke for several moments.
Bella approached the screen.
She touched her mother’s frozen image.
“I remember her voice.”
Arthur knelt beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
Bella turned toward him.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Did you choose Vanessa?”
Arthur struggled to answer.
“I brought Vanessa close because I thought she could help me find the truth.”
“I did not know she was hurting you.”
Bella stared at him.
“You didn’t look.”
Arthur’s eyes filled with tears.
“No.”
“I didn’t.”
Sarah expected Bella to turn away.
Instead, the child touched his cheek.
“Look now.”
Arthur covered her hand with his own.
“I will.”
Reyes checked his watch.
Midnight was six hours away.
Arthur stood.
“We go to Plant Four.”
Sarah shook her head.
“You said Bella would not go.”
“She won’t.”
May you like
Arthur looked at Andrew.
“But Malcolm does not know that.”
