Chapter 3 - The Car
Emma had spent years believing the car was simply an old gift from her father.
She learned otherwise when Detective Mason returned with photographs.
Officer Mason: “Your father installed a security system in the vehicle.”
Emma stared at the images.
Officer Mason: “Multiple cameras.”
Emma: “Why didn't anyone tell me?”
Officer Mason: “Because someone removed the main recording unit.”
Emma looked up.
Emma: “Removed?”
Officer Mason nodded.
Officer Mason: “After the crash.”
Emma felt sick.
Someone had gone to the wreckage.
Someone had known exactly what to take.
Officer Mason: “We recovered fragments from the secondary system.”
Emma: “Can you see who was inside?”
Officer Mason: “Not yet.”
Emma remembered Diane.
The folder.
The pressure.
Tyler's fear.
The unknown message.
Then she remembered something else.
Emma: “My father once told me never to sell that car.”
Officer Mason: “Why?”
Emma: “He said it contained something important.”
The detective leaned forward.
Officer Mason: “Did he ever tell you what?”
Emma shook her head.
Emma: “I thought he meant the car itself.”
Officer Mason: “Maybe he didn't.”
Later that afternoon, Emma received a visit from the family attorney.
Mr. Reed looked nervous.
Too nervous.
Mr. Reed: “Your father changed his estate documents three months before his death.”
Emma: “Why?”
Mr. Reed: “I can't discuss everything while your mother is involved.”
Emma frowned.
Emma: “Then tell me what you can.”
He hesitated.
Mr. Reed: “He created a private trust.”
Emma: “For Tyler?”
Mr. Reed shook his head.
Mr. Reed: “For you.”
Emma stared at him.
Mr. Reed: “But the trust only activates if certain conditions are met.”
Emma: “What conditions?”
Before he could answer, the ICU door opened.
Diane stood there.
Mr. Reed immediately stopped speaking.
Diane: “What are you doing here?”
The attorney closed his folder.
Mr. Reed: “I think you know.”
May you like
Diane looked at Emma.
For the first time, Emma saw genuine fear in her mother's eyes.
