Chapter 9 - VANESSA’S OFFER
Vanessa requested to speak with Arthur the following morning.
Her attorney claimed she possessed information that could save Bella’s life.
Detective Reyes advised Arthur not to go.
Arthur went anyway.
Sarah insisted on accompanying him, but she remained behind the observation glass with Reyes.
Vanessa sat in the interrogation room wearing a plain gray uniform.
Without diamonds and makeup, she looked smaller.
Her confidence returned when Arthur entered.
“You finally understand.”
Arthur sat across from her.
“I understand that you tortured my daughter.”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“I frightened her.”
“You burned her.”
“I needed her silent.”
Arthur’s eyes became cold.
“Why?”
“Because she started remembering.”
Vanessa leaned toward him.
“The therapists were helping.”
“She drew the garage last week.”
“She said Malcolm’s name in her sleep.”
“So you hurt her.”
“I kept Malcolm from discovering she could speak.”
Arthur stared at her.
“You expect me to believe you were protecting her?”
“No.”
Vanessa’s voice hardened.
“I was protecting myself.”
She explained that Malcolm had recruited her while she worked for Claire.
At first, she altered minor financial records.
Then the requests became larger.
When Claire discovered the missing money, Vanessa tried to leave.
Malcolm threatened to expose her.
“He told me the crash was only supposed to frighten Claire.”
Vanessa looked toward the observation glass.
“But he had already hired someone to damage the brakes.”
“Who?”
Arthur demanded.
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“Give me immunity.”
“You are not in a position to negotiate.”
“I know where the original financial ledgers are.”
“I know which officers Malcolm paid.”
“I know which member of your board helped him.”
“And I know why Claire was really killed.”
Arthur’s expression did not change.
“Money.”
“No.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Claire discovered something beneath Sterling Plant Four.”
Arthur frowned.
The plant had been closed for nine years after a chemical leak.
Vanessa continued.
“Malcolm buried records there.”
“Records showing that defective steel from your company caused three bridge failures.”
“He covered up the inspections.”
“Claire found proof.”
Arthur leaned back.
Those accidents had killed seventeen people.
His company had blamed independent contractors.
“If this is true, Malcolm did not only kill Claire.”
Vanessa’s eyes remained on him.
“He killed everyone who could connect him to those failures.”
Arthur stood.
“Where are the ledgers?”
Vanessa gave him one condition.
“Move me to federal protection.”
“Then I will tell you.”
Arthur turned toward the door.
Vanessa called after him.
“You have less time than you think.”
May you like
“Malcolm knows Bella remembers.”
“He will not wait for another chance.”
