Chapter 5 - The Woman in the Security Footage|
Marcus watched the footage three times.
Each time, the same black SUV appeared.
Each time, it followed Evelyn's car.
And each time, the driver remained impossible to identify.
"Who had access to this vehicle?" Marcus asked.
The security director, Raymond Cole, stood beside the monitor.
"Several members of the protection team."
"Names."
Raymond hesitated.
"Mr. Ellery, this footage is almost a year old."
"I know exactly how old it is."
Norah stood near the door.
She could feel the tension growing.
Marcus wasn't simply angry.
He was frightened.
That frightened her more.
"Was the vehicle ever reported stolen?" he asked.
"No."
"Was it assigned to my mother?"
Raymond glanced at him.
"Yes."
Marcus turned toward the screen.
"My mother told me Evelyn was alone."
Raymond said nothing.
Norah looked at the image again.
There was something else.
When Evelyn exited the building, Lily was holding her mother's hand.
But when they reached the car, Lily suddenly stopped.
She turned toward the second SUV.
Then she looked up at Evelyn.
The footage ended as the car pulled away.
"Can you recover the next camera?" Norah asked.
Raymond shook his head.
"The road cameras were replaced after the accident."
"Was there an incident report?"
"Yes."
"Where is it?"
Raymond hesitated again.
Marcus turned.
"Answer her."
The security director swallowed.
"The report was filed by Mrs. Ellery's office."
Marcus felt the room tilt.
He had spent eleven months believing that his daughter had witnessed a tragic accident.
Now he was discovering that someone inside his own home had controlled the information.
He called Vivien.
She answered immediately.
"Marcus, darling?"
"Come to the security office."
"What's wrong?"
"Now."
She arrived twenty minutes later.
When she saw the footage, she didn't appear surprised.
That was the first thing Marcus noticed.
The second was that she looked directly at Norah.
"Why is she here?"
Marcus didn't answer.
"Did you know Evelyn was being followed?"
Vivien placed her handbag on the table.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Your vehicle."
"My security team uses dozens of cars."
"This one was registered to your office."
"Then perhaps Raymond can explain."
Raymond looked uncomfortable.
Marcus leaned toward his mother.
"Why did you tell me Evelyn was alone?"
Vivien's expression tightened.
"Because I was trying to protect you."
"From what?"
She didn't answer.
Norah noticed that Vivien's fingers were shaking.
"Mrs. Ellery," she said carefully, "Lily has been drawing this vehicle for days. She becomes frightened whenever someone mentions Dr. Harlan. Did he treat her after the accident?"
Vivien's head snapped toward her.
"Stay out of this."
Marcus stepped between them.
"Don't speak to her that way."
Vivien looked at her son.
"You're choosing a stranger over your own mother?"
"I'm choosing the truth."
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Vivien turned toward the door.
"I won't be interrogated in my own house."
"You're not being interrogated," Marcus said. "You're being asked a question."
She stopped.
Marcus continued.
"Who was driving that car?"
Vivien looked at him.
Then she said something that changed everything.
"Ask your wife."
Marcus frowned.
"My wife is dead."
Vivien's face remained cold.
"Not everyone who leaves a marriage is dead, Marcus."
Norah felt her stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?"
Vivien picked up her handbag.
"It means Evelyn was not the woman you thought she was."
Then she walked out.
Marcus stared at the empty doorway.
Norah looked at him.
"Sir, I think we need to find out what happened before the accident."
Marcus nodded.
But before either could move, his phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
A woman's voice came through.
"Mr. Ellery, my name is Dr. Elaine Foster. Norah contacted me about your daughter."
Marcus listened.
May you like
Then the doctor said:
"I need to tell you something about Lily's medical records. The diagnosis you've been given may be wrong."
