Chapter 8: The Price of Silence
The statement changed everything.
Detective Harris immediately asked Dr. Reed to remain available for questioning.
The doctor demanded an attorney.
Meanwhile, the officers obtained authorization to search the repair shop.
Derek was informed that he could not return to the property until the investigation was complete.
He exploded.
“You can't just shut down my business!””
Harris remained composed.
“We have evidence that your business may contain records connected to a criminal investigation.””
“You're ruining my livelihood!””
Hank, standing several feet away, shook his head.
“Funny. You weren't worried about anybody else's livelihood when you were stealing from customers.””
Derek stepped toward him.
“Stay out of this!””
Hank didn't move.
“I'm standing right here. You're welcome to explain yourself.””
An officer intervened before Derek could get closer.
Inside the house, June sat with Eli while Boone prepared another sandwich.
The boy had asked for a second one.
Then a third.
June didn't question him.
She simply made sure the plate stayed full.
“Grandma?””
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Can I sleep in your room tonight?””
June's eyes softened.
“Of course.””
“Can I leave the door open?””
“As wide as you want.””
He nodded.
Then he looked toward the hallway.
“Mom used to leave the light on when it stormed.””
June reached for his hand.
“We can leave every light on in the house if that makes you feel safe.””
Eli gave a small smile.
Hank watched them from the kitchen doorway.
He had received a message from his wife, Linda.
She had heard about the boy and wanted to know whether they needed anything.
Hank typed a short response.
Bring blankets, pajamas, and whatever a nine-year-old boy likes to eat.
Linda replied almost immediately.
Already packing.
Hank smiled.
Then Detective Harris entered.
“We found something at the shop.””
June stood.
“What?””
“A locked filing cabinet in Derek's office.””
“Did you open it?””
“We obtained the necessary authorization. Inside were customer invoices, bank statements, and several prescription receipts.””
Hank frowned.
“Prescription receipts?””
“Yes. Several payments to a pharmacy under a business account.””
June looked sick.
“Was it the same pharmacy that supplied Rachel's medication?””
“We're checking.””
The detective placed a photograph on the table.
It showed a stack of folders.
One had Rachel's name written across the tab.
June leaned closer.
“That's my daughter's handwriting.””
“Some of the documents appear to be copies of her financial notes.””
Hank examined the photograph.
“Looks like she was tracking the money.””
“Exactly.””
The detective pulled out another photograph.
This one showed a ledger with several payments highlighted.
“Derek's repair shop was receiving money from customers, insurance companies, and at least two businesses that don't appear to exist.””
June stared.
“Rachel found all this?””
“It seems so.””
Eli looked up.
“Mom said Dad was stealing from people.””
Harris nodded.
“Your mother may have uncovered a significant financial scheme.””
Then he placed a final photograph on the table.
It showed a handwritten list of names.
At the top was Richard Mitchell.
Below him was Dr. Samuel Reed.
And at the bottom was a name June recognized immediately.
“Vanessa Cole.””
Hank leaned forward.
“She's involved?””
“Not necessarily. Her name appears beside a note that says 'original copies.''”
June frowned.
“Maybe she was helping Rachel.””
“That's possible.””
Harris took out his phone.
“We've been trying to locate her. Her last known address is vacant.””
Eli suddenly stood.
“I know where she lives.””
The detective turned.
“You do?””
“She told me.””
“When?””
“Before Mom died.””
June knelt beside him.
“Sweetheart, where?””
Eli pointed toward the front window.
“Near the old train station. The apartment with the yellow door.””
Harris looked at his notes.
“Do you remember the street?””
Eli shook his head.
But then he added something.
“She said Dad wasn't allowed to know she lived there.””
Hank glanced at the detective.
“Could be worth checking.””
Harris nodded and dispatched officers to verify the location.
Before they left, Boone received a call.
He stepped outside to answer it.
When he returned, his expression was serious.
“Hank, we've got a problem.””
“What?””
“Someone broke into the shop after the police left.””
Harris immediately stood.
“Did anyone get hurt?””
“No. But the security system recorded a vehicle.””
“Whose?””
Boone hesitated.
Then he showed the detective his phone.
The photograph was blurry, but the vehicle was recognizable.
A black sedan.
The same one Dr. Reed had driven to June's house.
Harris immediately contacted the officers assigned to the doctor's location.
They reported that Reed had left the hospital and was no longer at his residence.
His phone was switched off.
The detective swore under his breath.
“Get me a warrant request started. We need to locate him.””
June looked at the photograph.
“Why would he break into the shop?””
Hank studied it.
“Because he thinks there's something there that can hurt him.””
Eli was standing beside the couch.
He looked suddenly frightened.
“Dad has another key.””
Harris turned.
“To what?””
“The little room behind the garage.””
Derek's repair shop had a detached storage building.
According to Eli, it contained an old office that Derek never allowed him to enter.
“He said it was dangerous,” the boy explained.
“What was inside?””
“I don't know.””
“Did anyone else go in?””
Eli nodded.
“Uncle Richard.””
“And Dr. Reed?””
The boy hesitated.
Then nodded again.
Harris looked at Hank.
“That's where we need to look.””
But before anyone could move, June's phone rang.
An unknown number.
She answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice whispered.
“June?””
June froze.
“Who is this?””
“It's Vanessa.””
Hank immediately looked up.
June put the call on speaker.
“Vanessa? Where are you?””
“Listen carefully. I don't have much time.””
“Are you safe?””
A shaky breath came through the phone.
“No.””
June stood.
“What's happening?””
“Rachel didn't just leave you a backpack. She left something else. Something Derek has been searching for since the funeral.””
Hank moved closer.
“What is it?””
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she said:
“The original recording of what happened the night Rachel died.””
Detective Harris reached for a notepad.
“Where is it?””
“Somewhere Derek can't reach.””
“Tell us where.””
Vanessa's voice broke.
“I can't. Not over the phone.””
June gripped the table.
“Then come here.””
“I can't go to your house.””
“Why not?””
A long silence followed.
Then Vanessa whispered:
May you like
“Because someone is already watching it.””
The call ended.
