Chapter 4 - The Car Behind Her
Arthur began the investigation quietly.
He discovered that North Shore Consulting had no employees, no clients, and no actual business activity beyond receiving money connected to Carter Medical Logistics.
He also found that Eleanor had opened the company using forms prepared by Julian.
Madeline scheduled a meeting with Arthur for Monday morning.
She never reached it.
On Sunday evening, Eleanor called and demanded that Madeline come to her house.
“The kitchen light is making a strange sound,” she said.
“Call an electrician.”
“I could be electrocuted.”
“Turn off the light.”
“You want me sitting alone in darkness?”
Madeline closed her eyes.
Julian was sitting across the room, scrolling through his phone.
“Your mother wants someone to inspect a light.”
“You should go,” he said.
“Why me?”
“She’s more comfortable with you.”
Madeline stared at him.
“Julian, you are her son.”
“And you are already dressed.”
Something inside Madeline finally refused.
“No.”
Julian looked up.
“What did you say?”
“I said no. I am meeting Arthur early tomorrow, and I have documents to prepare.”
The mention of Arthur changed the atmosphere.
“What documents?”
“Financial records.”
“For what?”
“The trust.”
Julian stood.
“You are investigating me.”
“I am reviewing my account.”
“After everything I have done for you?”
Madeline felt almost dizzy from the absurdity.
“What exactly have you done for me?”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
Eleanor called again.
This time, Julian answered. He spoke softly, then turned toward Madeline.
“She says the smell of burning plastic is getting stronger.”
Madeline grabbed her coat.
She hated herself for giving in, but the possibility of an electrical fire felt too serious to ignore.
When she arrived at Eleanor’s house, every light was working normally.
Eleanor sat at the dining table eating soup.
“The sound stopped,” she said.
Madeline stood in the doorway.
“You knew there was no emergency.”
“I was worried.”
“You always say that.”
Eleanor’s expression became cold.
“You have changed.”
“Yes,” Madeline said. “I have.”
She turned and left.
Rain had begun falling across the quiet residential street. Madeline walked toward her car, holding her coat over her head.
She heard an engine behind her.
The sound grew louder.
Headlights reflected across the wet pavement.
Madeline stepped closer to the sidewalk.
The car did not slow down.
She turned just before it reached her.
There was a violent impact, a burst of pain, and then the world disappeared beneath white light.
When Madeline opened her eyes, she was lying near the curb.
Her leg burned with unbearable pressure. Blood from a cut near her eyebrow blurred part of her vision, but she remained conscious enough to hear a car door close.
Someone approached.
Through the rain, Madeline saw polished black shoes.
Julian crouched beside her.
For one hopeful second, she thought he had somehow followed her and arrived to help.
Then she saw the front of his company car several yards away.
The bumper was damaged.
Julian looked at her injured leg.
“You should not have walked into the road,” he said.
Madeline tried to speak.
He reached into her coat and removed her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling for help.”
But Julian did not call anyone.
He used Madeline’s thumb to unlock the phone.
Then he walked back to the car.
Madeline heard another voice inside.
Eleanor’s voice.
“Is it done?”
May you like
Julian closed the door.
The car drove away.
