Chapter 7 - The Accident That Wasn't an Accident
Ethan arrived at the storage facility before the police.
Audrey had never seen him drive so fast.
He entered the hallway, saw Robert, and slammed him against the wall.
"What did you do?"
"Ethan."
"What did you do to them?"
"Nothing."
Vivian grabbed Ethan's arm.
"He didn't hurt us."
Ethan released Robert but stayed between him and Audrey.
"You followed my wife?"
Robert adjusted his collar.
"She took property belonging to my brother."
"They're letters written to her mother."
"They're evidence."
"Of what?"
Robert went silent.
Audrey handed Ethan Michael's letter.
He read it.
His face changed.
Then she told him what Robert had said.
It wasn't supposed to be Michael in that truck.
Ethan looked at his uncle.
"You have ten seconds."
Robert laughed nervously.
"Don't be dramatic."
"Nine."
"I was speaking hypothetically."
"Eight."
"Ethan."
"Seven."
"Fine."
Robert looked around.
The facility manager and a security guard stood at the far end of the hall.
Sirens approached outside.
Robert lowered his voice.
"Thomas was supposed to meet Lisa that morning."
Audrey felt dizzy.
"Where?"
"At a cabin outside Hawthorne."
"Why?"
"He planned to leave Marianne."
Vivian stared.
"What?"
Robert nodded.
"Thomas had packed a bag. He wanted to take Lisa and Audrey somewhere safe."
Audrey looked at him.
"Why was Michael driving?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"I swear."
"What happened to the truck?"
"The brakes failed."
"The report said he lost control."
"Because nobody tested the brake line properly."
Ethan stepped closer.
"How do you know?"
Robert looked toward the entrance.
The sirens stopped.
Police had arrived.
"You should ask Celeste."
"Why?"
"Because she was there."
Audrey froze.
"At the accident?"
"After."
Robert's voice became bitter.
"Everybody thinks Marianne is the villain because she's unpleasant. Celeste is much better at hiding what she is."
The police entered.
Everything became questions.
Names.
Statements.
Ownership disputes.
Robert insisted the storage unit belonged to Thomas's estate and claimed Vivian had accessed it improperly.
Vivian produced records showing the unit had been transferred to her after Thomas's death.
Robert's threat vanished.
The letters remained with Vivian.
Audrey and Ethan returned home at one thirty.
Most guests had arrived.
The party continued as though nothing had happened.
Audrey could not understand how.
Music.
Flowers.
Champagne.
Laughter.
Inside her head, one sentence repeated.
It wasn't supposed to be Michael in that truck.
Ethan wanted to cancel immediately.
Audrey stopped him.
"No."
He stared at her.
"Audrey, you've just learned my family may be connected to your father's death."
"Exactly."
"So we're done."
"No."
She looked toward the crowded living room.
"Your mother planned this party."
"So?"
"Robert came here."
"So?"
"Celeste came here."
Ethan began to understand.
"They're all in the same house."
"Yes."
"You want them here."
"I want answers."
Ethan's expression softened.
"You don't have to do this today."
"I spent thirteen years thinking my father died because he made one mistake driving in the rain."
Her voice shook.
"My mother never talked about it. She changed after he died. She barely slept. She checked every lock three times. I thought it was grief."
Ethan took her hands.
"What if it was fear?"
He had no answer.
Audrey looked toward the staircase.
"Your mother searched my bedroom."
"What?"
"She took out my birth certificate."
Ethan's anger returned.
"What was she looking for?"
"I don't know."
Audrey reached into her handbag.
She had brought the certificate.
Ethan examined it.
He noticed the second seal.
"What is that?"
"Exactly."
Celeste appeared at the hallway entrance.
She saw the certificate.
For the first time since arriving, her composure disappeared.
"Where did you get that?"
Audrey stared at her.
"It's mine."
Celeste approached quickly.
"May I?"
Audrey handed it over.
Celeste examined the corner.
Her fingers trembled.
Ethan saw it.
"You recognize the seal."
Celeste nodded.
"What is it?" Audrey asked.
Celeste looked toward the living room where Marianne stood laughing with guests.
Then she whispered.
"St. Catherine's."
Audrey frowned.
"The hospital?"
"No."
Celeste looked at her.
"The children's home."
Audrey felt cold.
"I wasn't adopted."
May you like
Celeste handed the certificate back.
"I think you were."
