Chapter 9 - What Ethan Did
Vanessa told the truth.
At least, most of it.
Ethan had approached her three years earlier after discovering that Claire's family was being watched.
He hired Vanessa to investigate.
But Vanessa discovered something Ethan hadn't expected.
Ethan's own father had been involved in the cover-up surrounding Claire's father's death.
The payments had been hush money.
Ethan panicked.
Instead of telling Claire, he paid Vanessa to keep investigating in secret.
Then Vanessa discovered the person behind everything was still alive.
That person had access to Claire's medical information.
And had begun targeting Lily.
The attack with the drugged milk had been designed to scare Claire into leaving town.
But someone changed the plan.
Someone had taken the red box.
Vanessa swore she hadn't poisoned Claire.
She had come to warn her.
“Then who did?” Claire asked.
Vanessa looked at Ethan.
“He knows.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“I suspected someone.”
“Who?”
“My mother.”
Claire stared.
Ethan's mother had always been kind to her.
She had brought food after Lily was born.
She had babysat Lily.
She had hugged Claire at her wedding.
“No,” Claire whispered.
Ethan nodded.
“She knew about your father.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“She knew because she was the police officer who signed the false accident report.”
Claire couldn't breathe.
Her entire marriage suddenly looked different.
Ethan's mother had been at the center of the secret.
And Ethan had known.
Not everything.
But enough.
Then Ethan's phone rang.
He answered.
His mother's voice came through the speaker.
“You've ruined everything.”
Ethan went still.
She continued.
“Bring Claire to the old house.”
“Why?”
“Because she has something that belongs to me.”
Claire whispered, “What?”
The voice answered.
“The final letter.”
The call ended.
Claire looked at Vanessa.
“The letter is gone.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.”
She pointed toward Lily.
“It isn't gone.”
Claire looked at her daughter.
Lily was holding her stuffed rabbit.
Then she slowly opened its hidden zipper.
May you like
Inside was a folded piece of paper.
The missing letter.
