Chapter 9 - The Archive Beneath Harbor Point
Police obtained a warrant.
Julian tried to block it.
Teresa’s attorneys tried to block it.
VFS Holdings claimed the house belonged to an international trust beyond state jurisdiction.
The judge rejected all objections.
At 6:40 a.m., investigators entered Harbor Point.
Clara was not permitted inside during the initial search.
She watched from beyond the gate.
Three hours passed.
Then Detective Ortiz emerged.
Her face told Clara enough.
“What did you find?”
Ortiz removed her gloves.
“Records.”
“What kind?”
“Financial. Personal. Medical.”
Clara’s pulse quickened.
“Medical?”
“Yes.”
“For whom?”
“Multiple people.”
“Evelyn?”
Ortiz paused.
“Yes.”
Clara closed her eyes.
“What else?”
“We found surveillance files.”
“On me?”
“Yes.”
“How far back?”
“Your university years.”
Clara stared.
“I didn’t know Julian then.”
“No.”
“Then who was watching me?”
“We’re working on that.”
Clara looked toward the house.
“Can I see anything?”
“Not yet.”
Ortiz hesitated.
“But there’s one thing you should know before the media gets it.”
“What?”
“A hidden room contained photographs.”
“Of what?”
“People connected to the Vance family.”
Clara waited.
“Some are alive. Some are dead. Some are missing.”
“Paul Breyer?”
“Yes.”
Her stomach turned.
“Was he murdered?”
“We don’t know.”
“Anything else?”
Ortiz’s expression changed.
“There’s a photograph of you.”
“That doesn’t surprise me anymore.”
“This one might.”
Ortiz handed Clara an evidence photocopy.
A hospital room.
Evelyn lay sleeping in bed.
The date stamp showed four days before her death.
Standing beside her was Julian.
Clara’s knees weakened.
But Julian was not alone.
A woman stood near the window.
Dark hair.
Elegant black coat.
Clara recognized her immediately.
Teresa.
Written across the bottom in blue ink:
FINAL AUTHORIZATION REFUSED.
Clara looked up.
“What does that mean?”
Ortiz shook her head.
“We don’t know.”
Another detective approached.
“Lena.”
Ortiz turned.
“What?”
“We opened the lower cabinet.”
The detective saw Clara and stopped.
Ortiz frowned.
“Go ahead.”
“There are videotapes.”
“How many?”
“Forty-two.”
“Labels?”
“Mostly dates.”
“Anything recognizable?”
The detective looked directly at Clara.
“One says Evelyn Hart.”
Clara’s heart stopped.
“Another says Clara Hart.”
“When?”
May you like
The detective swallowed.
“Your wedding day.”
