Chapter 4 - Claire’s Final Recording
William sat in front of the laptop.
He did not blink.
Claire continued speaking from four years in the past.
“For three months, I have been experiencing dizziness.”
“Dr. Mercer says it is anxiety.”
“I do not believe him.”
“I found pills inside my vitamin bottle that do not match the prescription.”
“I sent one to a laboratory under another name.”
She held up a sealed report.
“The pill contains a sedative and a heart medication I was never prescribed.”
William leaned closer.
Claire’s voice trembled.
“I have not told you because Isabella has already convinced you I am suspicious of her.”
“She tells you I am overwhelmed.”
“She tells you I imagine insults.”
“She tells you Ethan needs distance from me.”
“Every time I object, you ask me to rest.”
William covered his mouth.
I remembered those years.
I had not worked at Sterling Manor then.
Older employees described Claire as fragile.
Difficult.
Possessive.
Those words had come from Isabella.
Claire continued.
“Conrad Pike moved foundation money into private companies.”
“Isabella approved the transfers.”
“Mercer created medical records to make me appear unstable.”
“I believe they want my voting shares.”
“I believe Ethan’s trust is the final prize.”
She reached toward the camera.
A sound came from outside the hidden room.
Claire looked toward the blue door.
“I am taking Ethan to the coastal house tomorrow.”
“I will give him the key.”
“If anything happens to me, do not let Isabella control his doctors.”
“Do not let her control his food.”
“Do not let her tell you silence means he is safe.”
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Ethan sat beside me with his head against my arm.
William remained in the chair.
Detective Ortiz placed Claire’s laboratory report inside an evidence sleeve.
“Was an autopsy performed?”
William shook his head.
“The fall caused massive injuries.”
“The medical examiner ruled the death accidental.”
“Who signed the toxicology summary?”
William looked at the screen.
“Dr. Mercer.”
The same psychiatrist who created false reports about Ethan.
Ortiz called the county attorney.
The investigation into Claire’s death would be reopened.
Then the blue-room technician found another file.
It had been recorded automatically the day after Claire’s final message.
The camera showed the door opening.
Conrad Pike entered.
Isabella followed him.
They searched the cabinets.
Claire had already removed the most important evidence.
Conrad said the laboratory report must be found before William saw it.
Isabella answered.
“He will believe me.”
“He always wants the least painful explanation.”
William flinched.
The video continued.
Conrad asked what would happen to Ethan.
Isabella smiled.
“He is young.”
“Children can be rewritten.”
The file ended.
William stood abruptly.
“Where is she?”
Detective Ortiz blocked the doorway.
“You cannot confront her.”
“She imprisoned my son.”
“She may have helped kill my wife.”
“That is why you cannot give her a reason to claim this investigation is driven by rage.”
William stared at her.
Then at Ethan.
His anger collapsed into shame.
He returned upstairs under police escort.
Isabella was gone.
Conrad remained in the library.
A window stood open behind him.
May you like
The officer assigned to the corridor lay unconscious.
On the floor near the window was Isabella’s second brass key.
