Chapter 7 - The Missing Phone
The financial records gave investigators a reason to examine Andrew’s business, but Daniel’s missing recording could make the case undeniable.
Police searched the kitchen, garage, driveway and garden.
They found nothing.
Then Chloe remembered Max.
“When the man left, Max ran after him,” she said. “He came back with something in his mouth.”
The golden retriever had been taken to Mara’s house after the emergency. Grace and Officer Cole drove there immediately.
Max greeted Grace at the door, wagging his tail.
Mara had collected several objects he carried from the garage: the torn black fabric, a leather glove and a damaged phone case.
The phone itself was still missing.
Grace crouched beside Max.
“Where did you find it, boy?”
Max turned toward the backyard and barked.
Behind Mara’s fence was a narrow drainage area filled with leaves. Officer Cole searched along the edge and found Daniel’s phone beneath a hedge.
The screen was cracked, but the device still worked.
Daniel’s recording lasted six minutes.
Andrew’s voice was unmistakable.
“You were never supposed to find those papers.”
“They belong to Grace,” Daniel replied.
“They belong to whoever is smart enough to use them.”
“You forged her name.”
“I built everything while she stood in my way.”
Then came the sound of the chair breaking, followed by Chloe calling for her mother.
The final seconds captured Andrew speaking to someone on another phone.
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“I couldn’t get the envelope. We need to clear the accounts tonight.”
Andrew had not acted alone.
