Chapter 8 - THE DIRECTOR’S DAUGHTER
Diane was arrested before sunset.
Faced with the recordings, the photograph, and the basement evidence, she demanded a private deal.
“I will speak only if Charles is kept away from me,” she told prosecutors.
Rachel watched part of the interview through one-way glass.
Her mother looked smaller without her silk scarves, gold jewelry, and carefully arranged living room behind her. Yet she showed no shame.
Only fear.
“Victor Hale is alive,” Diane said. “He staged his death after Daniel discovered the offshore transfers.”
“Is Victor the Director?” Reed asked.
Diane looked toward the camera in the corner.
“He uses that name.”
“What is his connection to Ashford Maritime?”
“He built it.”
“Public records show Charles founded the company.”
“Public records were arranged.”
“Why would Charles accept that?”
“Because Victor made him wealthy.”
“And because?”
Diane lowered her eyes.
“Because Vanessa is Victor’s daughter.”
Rachel felt the air leave her lungs.
Vanessa was not Charles’s child.
The favoritism, the protection, the endless excuses suddenly formed a darker pattern.
Victor had not merely been a business partner.
He had been controlling his daughter’s life from the shadows.
Diane continued.
“Charles found out when Vanessa was six. Victor threatened to destroy him if he left me or treated her differently. Over time, Charles began to treat her like an investment.”
“Did Vanessa know?”
“Not until three years ago.”
“Before or after Daniel’s disappearance?”
“Before.”
“Did she help attack Daniel’s boat?”
Diane hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
Reed’s voice hardened.
“You knew your daughter assaulted children.”
“I knew she had a temper.”
“You saw bruises on Emma.”
“Children bruise.”
“You helped hide Caroline’s injuries.”
Diane’s mask cracked.
“I brought her food.”
“You kept her imprisoned.”
“Charles said it was temporary.”
“Where is Caroline now?”
“I don’t know.”
Rachel pressed both hands against the glass.
Her mother was lying.
She could see it in the way Diane rubbed her thumb against her wedding ring.
A habit she had passed down to Caroline.
Reed noticed too.
“What did Victor do to Caroline?”
“I don’t know.”
“What did Charles do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who removed her from the basement?”
“I don’t know.”
Reed placed a photograph on the table.
It showed blood found at Bellweather Point.
“Preliminary testing suggests this belongs to a close relative of Rachel Ashford.”
Diane’s face changed.
Rachel could not see the report from behind the glass, but she understood.
The blood might belong to Caroline.
Diane began crying.
Not dramatically, as she often did when she wanted sympathy.
Quietly.
Almost involuntarily.
“She went to the lighthouse,” Diane whispered.
“When?”
“Eleven months ago.”
“Who took her?”
“I did.”
Rachel’s knees nearly gave way.
Diane spoke faster.
“Caroline promised she could bring Daniel back if I helped her escape. She said Daniel had evidence against Victor. I unlocked the room. We drove to Bellweather Point.”
“Was Daniel there?”
“No.”
“Who was?”
Diane covered her face.
“Vanessa.”
Reed remained silent.
Diane looked up.
“Vanessa followed us. She had a gun.”
Rachel pressed closer to the glass.
“What happened?” Reed asked.
“Caroline ran inside the lighthouse. Vanessa chased her. I heard a shot.”
“Did you see Caroline afterward?”
“No.”
“Did Vanessa come out?”
“Yes.”
“Was there blood on her?”
Diane nodded.
“What did she tell you?”
“She said Caroline was gone.”
“Dead?”
“She said gone.”
“Why didn’t you call the police?”
Diane gave a broken laugh.
“Because Victor was already there.”
The interview-room door opened.
An officer handed Reed a note.
He read it and looked through the glass toward Rachel.
Then he excused himself.
“What is it?” Rachel asked when he entered the observation room.
“Vanessa is missing.”
“What?”
“She was being transferred to the county detention center. The transport vehicle was struck by a truck at an intersection. Two officers were injured. Vanessa disappeared before backup arrived.”
“Victor took her.”
“That’s likely.”
“And Charles?”
“Also missing.”
Rachel turned toward Joanna.
“Where are Emma and Lily?”
“Emma is at the secure apartment with two officers. Lily is with her foster family.”
Reed’s phone rang.
He listened briefly.
His face hardened.
“Lily’s foster home was just broken into.”
Rachel stopped breathing.
“Is she safe?”
“The foster parents were found unconscious.”
“And Lily?”
May you like
Reed lowered the phone.
“She’s gone.”
