Chapter 7 - The Accident Wasn't the Only Secret
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For the next forty-eight hours, I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw headlights in the rain. I heard metal twisting, glass breaking, and the terrible silence that followed the crash.
Daniel arranged for an independent investigator to review the available records. He made it clear that the unusual file access did not establish who had caused the collision—or whether the collision had been intentional.
“We follow evidence,” he reminded me. “We don't fill gaps with fear.”
I appreciated his caution.
I also hated it.
Fear was the only thing that seemed to have been telling me the truth lately.
Ethan contacted Daniel's office to confirm that he had authorized an internal security review. According to his attorney, he had learned about the file access after Marcus found irregularities in the company's systems.
For the first time, I wondered whether Ethan was investigating the same mystery I was.
That did not mean I trusted him.
It meant the truth might be bigger than our marriage.
On Thursday morning, the investigator called Daniel with an update.
The SUV that struck my car had been rented through a company account connected to one of Ethan's businesses. The booking had been made using credentials belonging to an employee who claimed never to have authorized it.
The rental records were incomplete, and the vehicle had changed hands before the crash.
The investigator warned us not to draw conclusions.
Still, I felt cold all over.
“Does Ethan know?” I asked.
Daniel nodded.
“His attorney has been informed. He says Ethan is cooperating.”
“Could he have arranged it?”
“Possibility is not proof. We will examine the records independently.”
That afternoon, Marcus called me from a number I didn't recognize.
“I have something you need to know,” he said.
“Is it about the accident?”
“Partly. But I think it explains Vanessa's behavior.”
He told me that Vanessa had recently taken over several administrative responsibilities within Ethan's organization. She had access to scheduling records, travel information, and selected financial documents.
“She told Ethan she was helping him consolidate the business,” Marcus said. “But I found payments to a consulting company that doesn't appear to provide any real services.”
“How much money?”
“Enough to matter. The transfers have been spread across months.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because the same company paid for a vehicle reservation connected to the SUV.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Are you saying Vanessa caused the accident?”
“I'm saying the records connect her company to the vehicle. That needs to be investigated. I won't pretend I know what it means.”
I looked toward Lily, who was sitting on the carpet building a tower of wooden blocks.
“Marcus, why would she want me hurt?”
“I don't know. But she was asking questions about your marriage, your schedule, and your insurance policy long before the crash.”
My breath caught.
“What insurance policy?”
“Your life insurance. The policy Ethan took out years ago. He was the beneficiary.”
I felt as though the floor had dropped away beneath me.
“Did Ethan know she was asking about it?”
“I don't know.”
I ended the call and immediately contacted Daniel.
Within an hour, he had arranged a formal preservation request through the appropriate legal channels. We would not accuse anyone publicly. We would not confront Vanessa. We would protect the records and allow investigators to examine them.
That evening, Ethan called through his attorney's office.
“I need to see you,” he said.
“No.”
“Claire, someone may have used my company to put you in danger.”
“Then report it to the police.”
“I have.”
“Good.”
“Please listen to me. I didn't know about the vehicle.”
I closed my eyes.
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because I would never hurt you.”
The words were simple.
Once, they would have been enough.
Now they sounded like a promise offered by a man who had already broken every other promise I depended on.
“I don't know what you would do anymore, Ethan.”
He fell silent.
Then he asked, “Has Marcus told you about the insurance policy?”
“Yes.”
“I didn't change it because I never thought I would need to. It was meant to protect you and Lily.”
“Then why was Vanessa asking about it?”
“I don't know.”
For the first time, his fear sounded real.
Not the fear of losing control over his wife.
The fear of discovering that someone he trusted might have been using him.
“Claire,” he whispered, “I think Vanessa has been lying to both of us.”
I looked at Lily, who had fallen asleep beside her unfinished tower.
“Maybe,” I said. “But even if she's been lying to you, that doesn't erase what you did to me.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He did not answer.
I ended the call.
An hour later, Daniel received a message from the investigator.
A security camera near the rental office had captured the person who collected the SUV.
The image was blurry.
But the person was carrying a distinctive black briefcase.
May you like
A briefcase Marcus recognized immediately.
It belonged to Vanessa Reed.
