Chapter 9 - THE MESSAGE FROM MASON
Mason Cole had disappeared.
His apartment was empty.
His employer said he had not reported for work in three days.
His phone went directly to voicemail.
Detective Bell believed Vanessa had warned him.
Then Olivia received a message.
It came from an unknown number.
You need to stop digging.
Olivia stared at the screen.
A second message arrived.
Your family doesn't understand what Clara started.
Olivia immediately showed Clara.
Clara did not answer the sender.
She called Detective Bell.
The detective asked Olivia to preserve every message.
A third arrived before he finished speaking.
Ask Clara why Vanessa was so afraid of her.
Clara felt a chill.
Rachel read over her shoulder.
"What does that mean?"
Clara shook her head.
"I don't know."
Then a photograph appeared.
It showed Clara leaving Adrian's company headquarters six weeks earlier.
Another photograph followed.
Clara sitting in her car.
Another.
Clara carrying Emma into a pediatric clinic.
Olivia whispered.
"They were following you."
Clara's skin went cold.
She immediately checked the locks.
Detective Bell sent officers to Rachel's house.
Adrian learned about the messages fifteen minutes later.
He drove halfway there before stopping himself.
Clara had not asked him to come.
He called instead.
"Are you safe?"
"Police are here."
"Can I come?"
A long silence followed.
"Yes."
That single word meant more to Adrian than it should have.
He arrived twenty minutes later.
Clara opened the door.
It was the first time they had been face-to-face since she left.
The bruise on her cheek had darkened.
Adrian looked at it once.
Then he forced himself to meet her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Clara nodded.
She did not say it was okay.
Because it wasn't.
Olivia handed him the phone.
Adrian examined the photographs.
His jaw tightened.
"Mason took these."
"You don't know that."
"He used to do surveillance work for private investigators before he joined my company."
Clara stared at him.
"You never told me that."
"I didn't think it mattered."
"Apparently it did."
Adrian called Detective Bell and provided the information.
Later, while officers searched for the source of the messages, Adrian sat alone on Rachel's back porch.
Clara joined him.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Adrian said quietly.
"I started therapy today."
Clara looked at him.
"I found someone who specializes in anger and family violence."
She was surprised.
Adrian continued.
"I'm not telling you because I expect credit."
"I just don't want to ever become that man again."
Clara looked toward the yard.
"One appointment doesn't change you."
"I know."
"Neither does guilt."
"I know."
She finally faced him.
"But it's a start."
Adrian nodded.
That was more kindness than he deserved.
His phone rang.
Detective Bell.
Adrian answered.
"We found Mason."
"Where?"
"Bus station."
Adrian stood.
"Is he under arrest?"
"Not yet."
The detective paused.
"But he's talking."
Adrian looked at Clara.
"What did he say?"
Detective Bell's answer changed everything.
"He says Vanessa didn't come up with the stroller plan."
May you like
Adrian felt the air leave his lungs.
"Then who did?"
