Chapter 3 - the missing child)
The next nine minutes became the longest nine minutes of Eleanor's life.
Daniel searched downstairs.
Eleanor checked every bedroom.
Vanessa repeatedly insisted Sophie was safe.
Where is she, Eleanor demanded.
With someone I trust.
Who.
A babysitter.
Name.
Vanessa said nothing.
Daniel turned on her.
Vanessa.
She looked irritated.
My sister.
You never said you had a sister.
I do not discuss every detail of my family.
Where did she take Sophie.
The park.
Which park.
Lincoln.
Daniel grabbed his keys.
Eleanor went with him.
Vanessa stayed behind.
During the drive, Daniel said almost nothing.
Eleanor watched his hands.
They were shaking.
Whatever anger she felt toward him, she recognized fear.
You truly did not know where Sophie was.
No.
Then why is Vanessa allowed to move your daughter around without asking.
She helps me.
She controls you.
Daniel struck the steering wheel.
You think everyone controls me.
No. Just the woman who appeared before your wife died, financed your worst business decision, moved into your house, became trustee of your daughter's future money, and now sends your child away without telling you.
Daniel's jaw tightened.
Vanessa loves Sophie.
Then why did Sophie have bruises on her wrist.
Daniel looked at her sharply.
What bruises.
Eleanor described them.
He said nothing.
At Lincoln Park they found Vanessa's sister near the children's fountain.
Her name was Natalie Cole.
She was younger than Vanessa and visibly nervous.
Sophie sat in a stroller.
The moment Eleanor approached, Sophie reached toward her.
Grandma.
Eleanor lifted her.
Daniel confronted Natalie.
Why did you take my daughter.
Vanessa asked me.
Why.
Natalie looked away.
She said she needed the house empty.
Daniel stopped.
For what.
I do not know.
Eleanor watched his expression.
Call Vanessa.
Daniel did.
No answer.
They returned to the mansion fifteen minutes later.
The front door was unlocked.
Vanessa was gone.
Daniel ran upstairs.
His office door stood open.
A drawer beside his desk had been forced.
Documents covered the floor.
What was in there, Eleanor asked.
Nothing important.
Daniel opened another drawer.
Then his face lost color.
A drive.
What drive.
Business files.
What kind of business files.
Private ones.
Daniel called Vanessa again.
Still no answer.
Eleanor looked at Natalie.
Why would your sister send Sophie away and search Daniel's office.
Natalie backed toward the door.
I do not know anything about that.
You know more than you are saying.
Daniel stepped closer.
Natalie.
She started crying.
Vanessa told me she needed something Claire hid.
The room became silent.
Eleanor's voice dropped.
Claire.
Natalie immediately regretted the words.
I should go.
Eleanor blocked the doorway.
What did Claire hide.
I do not know.
Daniel grabbed Natalie's arm.
Tell me.
Natalie pulled free.
A recording.
Daniel froze.
Eleanor watched him carefully.
What recording.
Natalie looked at him.
Apparently your wife recorded a conversation before she died.
With whom.
Natalie shook her head.
Vanessa never told me.
Daniel ran upstairs again.
This time he entered Claire's old dressing room.
Most of her clothing had been boxed away.
He pulled open drawers.
Eleanor followed.
What are you looking for.
Claire kept an old voice recorder.
For work.
Daniel searched beneath a shelf.
It is gone.
Did Vanessa know about it.
I never told her.
Maybe Claire did.
Daniel sat on the edge of the dressing table.
For the first time, Eleanor saw genuine panic in him.
Mom.
What.
There is something I did not tell the police.
Eleanor waited.
The night Claire died, she called me.
What did she say.
Daniel swallowed.
She said she had proof.
Proof of what.
She would not say over the phone.
Where were you.
At the office.
With Vanessa.
Eleanor stared at him.
Daniel looked toward the floor.
Claire knew Vanessa and I had kissed.
A wave of disgust passed through Eleanor.
You told me you were not involved before Claire died.
We were not sleeping together.
That is your defense.
Daniel stood.
I made a mistake.
Claire called because she knew.
Maybe.
What happened after the call.
I told her I would come home.
Did you.
No.
Why.
Daniel hesitated.
Vanessa told me Claire was trying to manipulate me.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
So your wife called you frightened, saying she had proof of something, and you stayed with Vanessa.
Daniel looked broken.
Yes.
When did you learn Claire crashed.
Two hours later.
Eleanor stepped toward him.
What did Claire say exactly.
Daniel looked directly at her.
She said, Daniel, if I am right, none of us are safe.
A floorboard creaked behind them.
Natalie stood in the doorway.
Her face had turned pale.
What, Eleanor said.
Natalie stared at Daniel.
Vanessa told me Claire never called you that night.
Daniel frowned.
What are you talking about.
May you like
Natalie whispered.
She said she deleted the call from your phone.
