Chapter 13 - Derek Makes a Deal)
Derek contacted prosecutors forty-eight hours later.
Lauren learned about it from her attorney.
She called Claire seventeen times.
Claire answered none.
Derek offered cooperation regarding the fraudulent loans, Thomas’s missing money and the use of Emma’s identity.
In exchange, he wanted consideration.
Michael warned Claire.
“He’s going to blame Lauren.”
“Is she guilty?”
“Probably.”
“Is he?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then let them destroy each other.”
Derek’s first interview lasted seven hours.
His second lasted four.
His third changed the Thomas Bennett investigation.
According to Derek, Lauren had been desperate after Thomas threatened to report them.
But Derek denied harming Thomas.
He claimed Lauren collected the digoxin without telling him.
Lauren denied it.
Then investigators recovered an old email.
From Lauren to Derek.
Dad says he’ll expose everything Friday.
Derek replied:
Then make sure he changes his mind before Friday.
Lauren:
How?
Derek:
You’re his favorite. Figure it out.
Not proof of murder.
But enough to deepen suspicion.
Then Derek gave investigators something unexpected.
A storage locker.
Thomas had given Derek a key months before his death.
Derek never told Lauren.
Inside were business records and an external hard drive.
Michael was allowed to review copies related to Emma.
The drive contained videos Thomas had recorded.
Most were mundane estate explanations.
One was labeled FOR CLAIRE IF I FAIL.
Claire watched it alone.
Her father appeared older than she remembered.
“Claire.”
She covered her mouth.
Hearing his voice nearly broke her.
“If you are watching this, then events moved beyond my control.”
Thomas looked directly into the camera.
“I made a mistake with Lauren.”
Claire leaned closer.
“I kept rescuing her.”
Thomas explained.
Small debts became larger debts.
Bad relationships became Derek.
Each time Lauren failed, Thomas paid.
Each time she lied, Margaret demanded silence.
Each time Claire challenged the family, Thomas asked her to be patient.
“I mistook your patience for an unlimited resource.”
Claire cried silently.
“I’m sorry.”
Thomas continued.
“When Emma was born, I hoped Lauren would change.”
He paused.
“She did not.”
Then his expression hardened.
“When I discovered accounts opened in Emma’s name, I understood something terrible.”
Claire waited.
“My daughter did not see her own child as someone to protect.”
Thomas looked away briefly.
“She saw Emma as something she owned.”
Claire stopped the video.
She could not continue.
Emma found her twenty minutes later.
“Aunt Claire?”
Claire wiped her face.
“I’m okay.”
Emma climbed beside her.
“Was that Grandpa?”
“Yes.”
“Can I watch?”
“Not tonight.”
Emma nodded.
Then she handed Claire a drawing.
It showed two people outside a house.
Claire and Emma.
Above them was a badly drawn sun.
“What’s this?”
“Our house.”
Claire smiled.
Emma hesitated.
“Can it really be our house?”
Claire looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“If Mom doesn’t get me back.”
Claire took her hand.
“She isn’t.”
Emma’s eyes filled.
“Promise?”
Claire remembered all the adults who had made promises to this child.
She chose her words carefully.
“I promise I will do everything legally possible to make sure you are safe.”
Emma considered that.
Then smiled.
“That sounds like something Attorney Michael says.”
Claire laughed for the first time in days.
“Unfortunately, he’s rubbing off on me.”
Emma hugged her.
Later that night, Michael called.
“You need to finish Thomas’s video.”
“Why?”
“The last four minutes.”
“What happens?”
“He talks about Margaret.”
Claire sat up.
“What about her?”
Michael was silent.
May you like
Then:
“Your mother knew much more than she admitted.”
