Chapter 7: My Mother's Last Recording
The kitchen## Chapter 7: My Mother's Last Recording
The kitchen was silent except for Vanessa's uneven breathing.
Daniel Brooks placed the evidence packet on the table and was silent except for Vanessa's uneven breathing.
Daniel Brooks placed the evidence packet on the table and moved it out of her reach.
" moved it out of her reach.
"Nobody touches this until the chain of custody is documented," he said.
Vanessa looked at him as though she wantedNobody touches this until the chain of custody is documented," he said.
Vanessa looked at him as though she wanted to tear the words out of his mouth.
"You're not taking that anywhere.""
Daniel calmly removed his to tear the words out of his mouth.
"You're not taking that anywhere.""
Daniel calmly removed his phone.
"Actually, I am.""
"Richard!"" Vanessa shouted.
"Tell him to stop!""
My father stood beside the overturned chair, staring at the woman he had married.
For eight phone.
"Actually, I am.""
"Richard!"" Vanessa shouted.
"Tell him to stop!""
My father stood beside the overturned chair, staring at the woman he had married.
For eight years, he had defended her.
For eight years, he had allowed her to convince him that my mother had years, he had defended her.
For eight years, he had allowed her to convince him that my mother had left us with nothing.
And now, when she needed him to defend her again, he couldn't find the words.
"Richard?"" left us with nothing.
And now, when she needed him to defend her again, he couldn't find the words.
"Richard?"" she repeated.
He shook his head.
"I don't know what to believe anymore.""
Vanessa laughed.
"You're unbelievable. I protected you!""
"You she repeated.
He shook his head.
"I don't know what to believe anymore.""
Vanessa laughed.
"You're unbelievable. I protected you!""
"You told me Claire was dead before we called an ambulance.""
"She was barely breathing!""
"You told me the doctor had told me Claire was dead before we called an ambulance.""
"She was barely breathing!""
"You told me the doctor had been contacted!""
"He would have been contacted eventually!""
My father closed his eyes.
"Twenty been contacted!""
"He would have been contacted eventually!""
My father closed his eyes.
"Twenty-three minutes, Vanessa.""
She looked away.
I stepped toward the table.
"Can we hear the recording?""
Daniel glanced at Eleanor-three minutes, Vanessa.""
She looked away.
I stepped toward the table.
"Can we hear the recording?""
Daniel glanced at Eleanor.
"Not until I make a verified copy. We need to preserve the original.""
"How long will that take?""
"Not long.""
He placed.
"Not until I make a verified copy. We need to preserve the original.""
"How long will that take?""
"Not long.""
He placed the evidence packet inside his briefcase and made a call.
While he spoke, I noticed Eleanor studying the second will.
She had become unusually quiet.
the evidence packet inside his briefcase and made a call.
While he spoke, I noticed Eleanor studying the second will.
She had become unusually quiet.
"Do you know what's on the recording?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
"I know Claire made"Do you know what's on the recording?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
"I know Claire made one.""
"Have you heard it?""
"No.""
"Why?""
Eleanor folded her hands.
"Because your mother insisted that I never one.""
"Have you heard it?""
"No.""
"Why?""
Eleanor folded her hands.
"Because your mother insisted that I never listen to it unless you were present.""
I swallowed.
"Why would she do that?""
"She said it contained something you listen to it unless you were present.""
I swallowed.
"Why would she do that?""
"She said it contained something you deserved to hear for yourself.""
I looked at the photograph still tucked into my pocket.
My mother holding me beside her sewing machine.
I wondered how deserved to hear for yourself.""
I looked at the photograph still tucked into my pocket.
My mother holding me beside her sewing machine.
I wondered how long she had known that something terrible was coming.
And how frightened she must have been.
Daniel returned.
long she had known that something terrible was coming.
And how frightened she must have been.
Daniel returned.
"The recording has been copied and secured. The original will go to the appropriate authorities. I have a digital copy we"The recording has been copied and secured.
The original will go to the appropriate authorities. I have a digital copy we can review.""
He placed a small laptop on the kitchen table.
Vanessa immediately stood.
"I'm leaving.""
Daniel looked at her.
can review.""
He placed a small laptop on the kitchen table.
Vanessa immediately stood.
"I'm leaving.""
Daniel looked at her.
"You're welcome to leave, but you should understand that the investigator is on his way.""
"I have nothing to discuss with"You're welcome to leave, but you should understand that the investigator is on his way.""
"I have nothing to discuss with him.""
"Then you shouldn't have any difficulty answering his questions later.""
She grabbed her handbag.
My father him.""
"Then you shouldn't have any difficulty answering his questions later.""
She grabbed her handbag.
My father stepped toward her.
"Vanessa, wait.""
She turned.
"What?""
"Did you really know Claire might still stepped toward her.
"Vanessa, wait.""
She turned.
"What?""
"Did you really know Claire might still be alive when the ambulance arrived?""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Don't do this.""
"Answer me.""
"I did be alive when the ambulance arrived?""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Don't do this.""
"Answer me.""
"I did what I thought was necessary.""
My father stared at her.
"That's not an answer.""
She looked at me.
"You wanted the what I thought was necessary.""
My father stared at her.
"That's not an answer.""
She looked at me.
"You wanted the truth? Fine. Your mother was going to destroy everything.""
Then she walked out.
The front door slammed.
truth? Fine. Your mother was going to destroy everything.""
Then she walked out.
The front door slammed.
Nobody followed her.
Daniel opened the recording.
A faint clicking sound came through the laptop speakers.
Then static.
AndNobody followed her.
Daniel opened the recording.
A faint clicking sound came through the laptop speakers.
Then static.
And finally, my mother's voice.
"Testing. One, two.""
I stopped breathing.
It was her.
Her exact voice.
Soft, slightly finally, my mother's voice.
"Testing. One, two.""
I stopped breathing.
It was her.
Her exact voice.
Soft, slightly husky, with a little laugh at the end of certain sentences.
I moved closer.
"Hello, my darling Amelia.""
My knees weakened.
E husky, with a little laugh at the end of certain sentences.
I moved closer.
"Hello, my darling Amelia.""
My knees weakened.
Eleanor reached for my hand.
I held on.
The recording continued.
"If you'releanor reached for my hand.
I held on.
The recording continued.
"If you're hearing this, sweetheart, then I wasn't able to tell you everything myself.""
I covered my mouth.
"I hope you're older now. I hope you've found something that makes your heart feel full hearing this, sweetheart, then I wasn't able to tell you everything myself.""
I covered my mouth.
"I hope you're older now. I hope you've found something that makes your heart feel full. I hope you're still. I hope you're still drawing dresses in the margins of your notebooks.""
A tiny laugh escaped her.
"Your father always complained about those notebooks.""
My eyes filled drawing dresses in the margins of your notebooks.""
A tiny laugh escaped her.
"Your father always complained about those notebooks.""
My eyes filled.
Then her voice changed.
"There's something I need you to know about Vanessa.""
Daniel glanced at the screen.
The recording crackled.
"She has been taking money.
Then her voice changed.
"There's something I need you to know about Vanessa.""
Daniel glanced at the screen.
The recording crackled.
"She has been taking money from Claire Hart Studio for more than a year. I found unauthorized transfers, altered invoices, and several documents bearing signatures that aren't mine.""
from Claire Hart Studio for more than a year. I found unauthorized transfers, altered invoices, and several documents bearing signatures that aren't mine.""
My father lowered his head.
My mother continued.
"I confronted Richard. He told me he didn't understand what had happened. I wantedMy father lowered his head.
My mother continued.
"I confronted Richard. He told me he didn't understand what had happened. I wanted to believe him.""
A pause.
"But last night, I found a letter in his study. It was addressed to Vanessa. He knew about the transfers.""
to believe him.""
A pause.
"But last night, I found a letter in his study. It was addressed to Vanessa. He knew about the transfers.""
My father suddenly stood.
"Turn it off.""
I looked at him.
"No.""
"Amelia, please.""
"NoMy father suddenly stood.
"Turn it off.""
I looked at him.
"No.""
"Amelia, please.""
"No!""
Daniel kept his hand near the keyboard.
My father's voice broke.
"I can't listen to this.""
I stared at him.
"Neither could!""
Daniel kept his hand near the keyboard.
My father's voice broke.
"I can't listen to this.""
I stared at him.
"Neither could I. But I have to.""
He slowly sat down.
The recording continued.
"Richard says Vanessa promised to repay the money I. But I have to.""
He slowly sat down.
The recording continued.
"Richard says Vanessa promised to repay the money. He says he was afraid of losing the company. I don't know whether I can forgive him.""
My mother took a breath.
"But there is something more important. He says he was afraid of losing the company. I don't know whether I can forgive him.""
My mother took a breath.
"But there is something more important than the money.""
The recording crackled again.
"Amelia, if Vanessa is still living in our home when you hear this, I need you to understand that she has been than the money.""
The recording crackled again.
"Amelia, if Vanessa is still living in our home when you hear this, I need you to understand that she has been asking questions about your inheritance. She knows I created a trust for you. She has been trying to convince your father that the money should belong to the household asking questions about your inheritance.
She knows I created a trust for you. She has been trying to convince your father that the money should belong to the household.""
Eleanor's fingers tightened around mine.
My mother continued.
"She also knows about the blue lining.""
I looked at the.""
Eleanor's fingers tightened around mine.
My mother continued.
"She also knows about the blue lining.""
I looked at the leather folder.
"That's where I hid the original evidence. Not because it is the most valuable thing I own, but because it leather folder.
"That's where I hid the original evidence. Not because it is the most valuable thing I own, but because it contains something Vanessa cannot explain away.""
Daniel leaned closer.
"What does she mean?""
The recording continued.
"There is a second set contains something Vanessa cannot explain away.""
Daniel leaned closer.
"What does she mean?""
The recording continued.
"There is a second set of financial records. They show that money was transferred into an account connected to a company called Hartwell Consulting of financial records. They show that money was transferred into an account connected to a company called Hartwell Consulting.""
Daniel immediately looked up.
"Do you recognize that name?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"No.""
My mother's voice became quieter.""
Daniel immediately looked up.
"Do you recognize that name?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"No.""
My mother's voice became quieter.
"That company was established using my designs and my money. Vanessa believes she owns it. But she doesn't.""
I looked at.
"That company was established using my designs and my money. Vanessa believes she owns it. But she doesn't.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Can you find it?""
He nodded.
"If the records are genuine.""
My mother continued.
"Richard signed some Daniel.
"Can you find it?""
He nodded.
"If the records are genuine.""
My mother continued.
"Richard signed some of the documents. I don't know whether he understood what he was signing. But I know the company has been used to move money out of my of the documents.
I don't know whether he understood what he was signing. But I know the company has been used to move money out of my business.""
My father put both hands over his face.
Then came business.""
My father put both hands over his face.
Then came a long pause.
When my mother's voice returned, it sounded different.
More fragile.
"Amelia, I wish I could promise that everything will be easy. I can't.""
I a long pause.
When my mother's voice returned, it sounded different.
More fragile.
"Amelia, I wish I could promise that everything will be easy. I can't.""
I began crying.
"But I can promise you this. You are not responsible for what adults do. You are not responsible for your father's decisions. You are not responsible for Vanessa's anger.""
Her voice trem began crying.
"But I can promise you this. You are not responsible for what adults do. You are not responsible for your father's decisions. You are not responsible for Vanessa's anger.""
Her voice trembled.
"And you must never let anyone convince you that your dreams are too expensive, too foolish, or too ambitious.""
bled.
"And you must never let anyone convince you that your dreams are too expensive, too foolish, or too ambitious.""
I looked down at my dress.
The silver paint shimmered beneath the kitchen light.
"One day, you might make something beautiful outI looked down at my dress.
The silver paint shimmered beneath the kitchen light.
"One day, you might make something beautiful out of something broken. I hope you remember that you don't have to save everything. Sometimes you can let something go and create something new.""
There of something broken. I hope you remember that you don't have to save everything. Sometimes you can let something go and create something new.""
There was another pause.
Then my mother said something that made the entire room freeze.
"Richard, if you're listening to this, I want you to know that was another pause.
Then my mother said something that made the entire room freeze.
"Richard, if you're listening to this, I want you to know that I gave you one final opportunity to tell Amelia the truth.""
My father looked up.
The recording continued.
"If you haven't done that, then I gave you one final opportunity to tell Amelia the truth.""
My father looked up.
The recording continued.
"If you haven't done that, then you have made your choice.""
A soft rustling followed.
Then:
"Vanessa, I know you have made your choice.""
A soft rustling followed.
Then:
"Vanessa, I know you're listening.""
My blood ran cold.
"Please stop.""
The recording crackled.
"Please don't hurt my daughter.""
Silence.
Then you're listening.""
My blood ran cold.
"Please stop.""
The recording crackled.
"Please don't hurt my daughter.""
Silence.
Then my mother's voice returned, barely above a whisper.
"I know what happened to the medication.""
Eleanor's hand flew to her mouth.
Daniel stopped moving.
My father my mother's voice returned, barely above a whisper.
"I know what happened to the medication.""
Eleanor's hand flew to her mouth.
Daniel stopped moving.
My father stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
"What did she say?""
I stared at the laptop.
The recording continued.
"One of the stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
"What did she say?""
I stared at the laptop.
The recording continued.
"One of the bottles was replaced. I found the original prescription in the bathroom cabinet. I know the dosage was bottles was replaced.
I found the original prescription in the bathroom cabinet. I know the dosage was changed.""
Daniel leaned toward the speakers.
My mother's breathing became uneven.
"I don't know whether it changed.""
Daniel leaned toward the speakers.
My mother's breathing became uneven.
"I don't know whether it was an accident. I don't know whether someone wanted me sick. But I have kept the bottle, was an accident.
I don't know whether someone wanted me sick. But I have kept the bottle, and I have written down everything.""
A faint sound came through.
A door opening.
Then my mother whispered:
and I have written down everything.""
A faint sound came through.
A door opening.
Then my mother whispered:
"Someone is coming.""
The recording stopped.
Nobody spoke.
For several seconds, all I could hear was the hum of the refrigerator.
Then my father whispered"Someone is coming.""
The recording stopped.
Nobody spoke.
For several seconds, all I could hear was the hum of the refrigerator.
Then my father whispered:
"She knew.""
I turned toward him.
"What medication?""
He looked as though he might collapse.
"Claire had been taking medication for her:
"She knew.""
I turned toward him.
"What medication?""
He looked as though he might collapse.
"Claire had been taking medication for her heart. Vanessa said the doctor had changed the prescription.""
Daniel immediately closed the laptop.
"Richard, we need to establish exactly heart. Vanessa said the doctor had changed the prescription.""
Daniel immediately closed the laptop.
"Richard, we need to establish exactly what medication was involved.""
My father shook his head.
"I didn't know.""
"Did you see the prescription?""
"No.""
"Did you ever question the dosage?""
Richard stared at the table.
"No.""
I felt a what medication was involved.""
My father shook his head.
"I didn't know.""
"Did you see the prescription?""
"No.""
"Did you ever question the dosage?""
Richard stared at the table.
"No.""
I felt a terrible pressure building inside my chest.
"Was Mom being poisoned?""
Daniel answered carefully.
"We cannot conclude that from this recording. We terrible pressure building inside my chest.
"Was Mom being poisoned?""
Daniel answered carefully.
"We cannot conclude that from this recording. We need the original prescription, the medication records, and a proper medical review.""
Eleanor looked at him.
"But the evidence is significant.""
"Yes.""
I looked toward the need the original prescription, the medication records, and a proper medical review.""
Eleanor looked at him.
"But the evidence is significant.""
"Yes.""
I looked toward the hallway.
Vanessa was gone.
The woman who had spent eight years telling me my mother was weak and confused hallway.
Vanessa was gone.
The woman who had spent eight years telling me my mother was weak and confused had just been named in a recording had just been named in a recording that suggested deliberate interference with her medication.
My hands began trembling again.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
"Brooks.""
He listened.
His expression changed.
"When?""
Another pause.
"Are you certain?""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"What happened?""
"The investigator checked the company records.""
"And?""
He turned the laptop back toward me.
"Hartwell Consulting is registered to an address in Manhattan.""
I frowned.
"Why does that matter?""
Daniel looked at Eleanor.
"Because it shares an address with the company that acquired Claire Hart Studio's original design collection.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who owns it?""
Daniel opened the document.
Then he read the name aloud.
"Vanessa Hart.""
He scrolled farther down.
His expression darkened.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
He turned the screen toward me.
The company's that suggested deliberate interference with her medication.
My hands began trembling again.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
"Brooks.""
He listened.
His expression changed.
"When?""
Another pause.
"Are you certain?""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"What happened?""
"The investigator checked the company records.""
"And?""
He turned the laptop back toward me.
"Hartwell Consulting is registered to an address in Manhattan.""
I frowned.
"Why does that matter?""
Daniel looked at Eleanor.
"Because it shares an address with the company that acquired Claire Hart Studio's original design collection.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who owns it?""
Daniel opened the document.
Then he read the name aloud.
"Vanessa Hart.""
He scrolled farther down.
His expression darkened.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
He turned the screen toward me.
The company's most recent filing was dated only two weeks earlier.
It showed a proposed sale of all intellectual property belonging to most recent filing was dated only two weeks earlier.
It showed a proposed sale of all intellectual property belonging to Claire Hart Studio.
The buyer's name was listed at the bottom.
*Whitmore Fashion Group.*
Eleanor went completely still.
"That's impossible," she whispered.
Daniel looked at her.
"Why?""
She stared at the document Claire Hart Studio.
The buyer's name was listed at the bottom.
*Whitmore Fashion Group.*
Eleanor went completely still.
"That's impossible," she whispered.
Daniel looked at her.
"Why?""
She stared at the document.
"Because I own Whitmore Fashion Group.""
And suddenly, the recording had become more than a confession.
"Because I own Whitmore Fashion Group.""
And suddenly, the recording had become more than a confession.
It was the beginning of something much bigger.
May you like
.
It was the beginning of something much bigger.
