Chapter 6 - Vanessa's Family
Ethan stared at the document.
“Carter?”
Vanessa said nothing.
“Your father's name was Richard Carter.”
She swallowed.
“Yes.”
Walter leaned against the table.
“Richard Carter worked for Michael.”
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
“What did your father do?”
“He was an accountant.”
Walter nodded.
“And he handled the company accounts.”
Ethan's eyes moved back to the document.
“What is this?”
“A transfer.”
Walter pointed.
“Two days before Michael disappeared, Richard moved a large amount of money into a private account.”
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Vanessa.”
“I didn't.”
Walter spoke quietly.
“Maybe you didn't.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Then why did you bring this to me?”
“Because I found another document yesterday.”
Walter opened a second folder.
Inside was a letter from Margaret.
Ethan recognized her handwriting immediately.
He read the first few lines.
Then stopped.
“What does it say?”
Walter hesitated.
“Read it.”
Ethan continued.
His mother's letter described a conversation she had overheard.
Michael had confronted Richard about the missing money.
Richard had threatened him.
Then Michael disappeared.
Margaret had believed Walter was responsible because Walter had been the last person seen with Michael.
But the letter contained something else.
A name.
Vanessa.
Ethan looked up.
“My mother knew you?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I was a child.”
“She mentioned you.”
“I don't know why.”
Walter looked at Vanessa.
“You were fourteen.”
Vanessa's breathing became uneven.
“What are you accusing me of?”
“Nothing.”
“You clearly are.”
“I am telling Ethan the truth.”
Vanessa turned to Ethan.
“Your father has always wanted to destroy me.”
Ethan looked confused.
“Why would he?”
“Because I remind him of your mother.”
Walter shook his head.
“No.”
Vanessa stepped closer to Ethan.
“Your father is manipulating you.”
Ethan did not answer.
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“After everything I've done for this family?”
Walter looked toward Noah's bedroom.
“Everything?”
Vanessa's face hardened.
“You don't get to judge me.”
“No,” Walter said. “But your children will remember.”
That silenced her.
Ethan looked at Walter.
“What happened to Michael?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why are you so certain Richard was involved?”
“Because of the money.”
“Where is Richard now?”
Walter's expression changed.
“Dead.”
Ethan frowned.
“When?”
“Seven years ago.”
“How?”
“Heart attack.”
Ethan stared at the documents.
“This is impossible.”
Walter nodded.
“That is why I waited.”
“For what?”
“For proof.”
A car pulled into the driveway.
Vanessa looked through the window.
Her expression changed.
Ethan noticed.
“Who is that?”
She said nothing.
A man stepped out.
He was in his late sixties.
He looked toward Walter's house.
Then toward Ethan's.
Walter saw him.
His face went pale.
“That's impossible.”
Ethan turned.
“Who?”
May you like
Walter whispered one word.
“Michael.”
