Chapter 42
“I married Claire because I thought I was building a home again. But Anna had proof that Claire’s family had been watching us since before the twins were born. Watching Anna. Watching money that was supposed to disappear. Money Anna’s father hid before he died.”
Elise paused the video.
I stared at the frozen image of Evan’s face.
“Anna’s father,” I said.
“Gabriel Vale,” Elise replied. “Former compliance officer for a private banking group. Died six years ago.”
“Connected to the accounts?”
“Yes.”
The analyst added, “The documents suggest Vale discovered a laundering network, copied records, and created a trust as a safeguard. Anna may have inherited access without knowing what it truly contained.”
I looked at the screen again. “And Claire?”
“Possibly placed near Evan to monitor Anna’s return or locate what Gabriel Vale hid.”
“Placed,” I repeated.
Elise’s mouth tightened. “We do not yet know how much Claire personally chose and how much involved family pressure.”
I thought of Claire’s fear at the airport.
Not fear of police.
Fear of Captain.
“Play it,” I said.
The video continued.
“I don’t know exactly what Claire knows,” Evan said. “Some days I think she’s trapped. Some days I think she’s lying. Maybe both. But she knows enough to be dangerous and scared enough to be unpredictable.”
He looked down, and when he looked up again, his eyes were wet.
“If I’m gone, don’t let anyone turn my children into leverage. Don’t let them be separated if it can be helped. Don’t let them believe Anna left because they were unlovable.”
His voice lowered.
“And Ryker… there is something else.”
The video flickered.
The image distorted.
Then it cut to black.
The analyst frowned. “The file is corrupted at this section. We’re working on recovery.”
“How much is missing?” I asked.
“Unknown. There are fragments.”
May you like
“Recover them.”
“We are.”
