Chapter 13
The garden dig began at dawn.
I sat under a police canopy, wrapped in a coat, refusing to leave.
Marcus stood beside Detective Stone.
Caleb prayed quietly near the fountain.
When the ground opened, the estate seemed to hold its breath.
They found a metal box first.
Not remains.
A box.
Inside were Claire’s documents, photographs, and a cassette tape.
On the tape, Claire’s voice shook.
“Father, Mother is stealing from the trust. Dr. Vale is helping her. She says Marcus will inherit only if she controls him. I’m scared.”
Marcus covered his mouth.
Then another voice appeared.
Victoria.
“You think your father will choose you over me?”
Claire cried.
“I’m his daughter.”
Victoria laughed.
“You are a complication.”
The tape cut off.
Detective Stone sent divers to the old well near the garden after cadaver dogs alerted.
Claire’s remains were found that afternoon.
Marcus broke in a way I cannot describe.
No sound at first.
Then a sob that seemed to tear through ten years of buried childhood.
I held him as best I could.
My belly between us.
Our child moving under my heart.
“I’m sorry,” he kept saying.
To Claire.
To Arthur.
To me.
To himself.
Victoria was charged with Claire’s murder before sunset.
When Detective Stone told her, Victoria smiled coldly.
“Claire always wanted attention.”
The detective turned on the recorder.
“Say that again.”
Victoria’s lawyer grabbed her arm.
May you like
Too late.
She had given them motive wrapped in contempt.
