Chapter 14 - THE RECORDING|
Two days after the family meeting, the detective called.
He had obtained records from Northlake Holdings and wanted to ask me about a voice message.
I went to the station with Evelyn.
The detective played the recording.
It was Owen's voice.
“Once Natalie signs, we can move the property into the company. She won't fight us. Not after what happened.”
A second voice answered.
Ethan.
“What if she refuses?”
Owen laughed.
“She won't. Her family will convince her. Brooke can handle that.”
I felt sick.
The detective paused the recording.
“Do you recognize the date?”
I checked the timestamp.
It had been recorded two weeks before Lily died.
I stared at the screen.
They had planned the house transfer before I knew my daughter would never come home.
The detective continued.
“There are several recordings. This one was recovered from a company server. We believe the conversation was captured during a routine meeting.”
Evelyn asked whether the recording could be authenticated.
The detective nodded.
“We're working on it.”
Then he played another.
This time, Brooke's voice was clear.
“What if Natalie finds out about the account?”
Owen answered.
“By then, she'll be too busy with the baby. She won't be looking at bank statements.”
My hands began to shake.
The detective stopped the recording.
“Mrs. Carter, are you all right?”
I nodded.
But I wasn't.
I had believed my husband was distracted by my sister.
The truth was worse.
He had been using our marriage as a financial opportunity while preparing to abandon me.
I asked whether they had found evidence that the loan money had been spent on the wedding.
The detective confirmed that some funds had gone to the venue, the catering company, and a jewelry store.
I looked at Evelyn.
“The necklace.”
She understood.
The necklace Brooke had worn in the wedding photographs.
The one Owen had given me.
It had been purchased with money moved through the account in my name.
I felt a strange calm settle over me.
“Can I get a copy of the recording?”
The detective said it would be available through the legal process.
Evelyn asked for the case number.
We left the station and sat in her car.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then she said, “You don't have to decide anything today.”
“I know.”
“Your grief is not a weakness.”
I looked at the passing traffic.
“I keep thinking about Lily.”
Evelyn waited.
“I keep wondering whether I should have noticed. Whether I was so focused on getting pregnant that I ignored everything happening around me.”
She turned toward me.
“None of this is your fault.”
I nodded.
I wanted to believe her.
That evening, Owen sent a message.
I know you've been talking to the police. We need to meet.
I didn't answer.
He sent another.
I can explain everything.
Then a third.
Please don't make me lose my business.
I looked at the phone.
He hadn't asked once whether I was sleeping.
He hadn't asked whether I had eaten.
He hadn't asked whether I still cried when I entered Lily's nursery.
He was afraid of losing his business.
May you like
I typed:
You already lost your family.
