Chapter 9 - THE MISSING MILES
Marcus's ledger produced something unexpected.
Vehicle expenses.
On the night Evelyn died, Marcus's company sedan had accumulated eighty-seven miles.
His normal commute accounted for less than thirty.
The remaining distance nearly matched a route from Manhattan to Whitmore House, then north toward the road where Evelyn crashed.
Investigators found a surviving fuel receipt.
11:18 p.m.
Four miles from the accident site.
Evelyn's crash was reported at 11:55.
Marcus had been nearby.
Then came a retired state trooper named Daniel Mercer.
Mercer had investigated the collision.
His personal notebook contained one observation missing from the final report.
Dark sedan observed beyond north shoulder. Vehicle departed before officers approached.
"Why wasn't that in the official file?" Lila asked.
Mercer looked embarrassed.
"My captain told me to remove it."
"Why?"
"A lawyer representing the Whitmore family complained about sensational speculation."
"Marcus Vale."
Mercer nodded.
The pattern became impossible to ignore.
Marcus was near Ruth's apartment.
Marcus had access to Evelyn's investigation.
Marcus controlled money linked to the original adoption cover-up.
Marcus appeared near the crash.
Marcus arranged removal of Evelyn's vehicle.
Marcus pressured the police investigation.
But evidence of motive was not evidence of murder.
They still needed more.
That evening the district attorney officially reopened Evelyn Hale's death investigation.
News spread instantly.
Marcus denied everything through his attorneys.
Then he disappeared.
His phone went dark.
His apartment was empty.
His passport had not been used.
Jonathan ordered security around Lila and Noah.
Lila hated it.
But she accepted.
At two in the morning, she found Noah awake in the library.
He was holding Evelyn's old music box.
"You okay?"
Noah shrugged.
"Is Mom's death because she found you?"
Lila's heart broke.
"No."
"But if she hadn't looked—"
"Noah."
She sat beside him.
"Your mother died because someone may have chosen to hurt her."
He stared at the box.
"Not because she loved me. Not because she loved you."
Lila took his hand.
"Love wasn't the dangerous thing."
Noah looked at her.
"The lie was."
He leaned against her shoulder.
Then he frowned.
"Something's wrong with this box."
"What?"
"The bottom keeps moving."
He lifted the velvet tray.
Underneath was a hidden compartment.
Inside lay a small brass key.
A faded tag was tied to it.
B-317.
Jonathan entered and stopped.
Lila held up the key.
"Does B mean anything?"
Jonathan stared.
May you like
Then whispered one word.
"Bluebird."
