The Car in the Rain
Chapter 06 - The Car in the Rain
Detective Lena Ortiz reopened Anna’s accident.
The original car had been destroyed after the insurance settlement, but photographs remained. A mechanical engineer reviewed them and identified a cut in the brake line.
Not corrosion.
Not storm damage.
A clean cut made by a narrow tool.
Security footage from Bennett Healthcare’s garage showed Marcus entering the underground level the evening before Anna died. He carried a black equipment case.
Marcus claimed he had been checking flood sensors.
The maintenance system recorded no sensor inspection.
Anna’s phone location showed she spent her final afternoon at Bennett House. Victoria was there.
James had been traveling.
A kitchen employee remembered serving tea to both women. Anna left forty minutes later.
Toxicology from the autopsy showed a sedative at a concentration described as “therapeutic.” The prescription was in Anna’s name.
She had never been prescribed that medication.
Dr. Reeves signed the record.
The pattern became visible.
Sedate Anna.
Damage the brakes.
Let rain explain the rest.
Investigators searched Marcus’s storage unit and found the black equipment case. Inside lay tools carrying trace residue consistent with automotive brake fluid.
They also found photographs of Anna’s car and a printed route map of the road where she died.
Marcus was arrested.
Victoria was questioned but denied knowing about the sabotage.
She admitted arguing with Anna.
She admitted wanting control of Lily’s trust.
She admitted hiding their biological connection.
She denied murder.
James watched the interview through glass.
Victoria said Marcus acted alone because he feared prison for foundation theft.
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It was possible.
It was also exactly the story she needed.
