Chapter 18: The Voice in the Recording
Peter Shaw agreed to meet the investigators the following morning.
He was in his late forties, with tired eyes and a cautious manner. He arrived carrying a small leather case.
“I didn't know what to do with these,” he said.
Marcus gestured toward the chair.
“What's inside?””
“My mother's files.””
He opened the case.
Inside were several notebooks, old photographs, and a small digital recorder.
I stared at it.
“Is that the recording?””
Peter nodded.
“My mother told me never to give it to anyone unless the Bennett sisters were both present.””
I glanced at Marcus.
“Why?””
“Because your grandfather specifically requested it.””
Peter removed a folded letter.
He handed it to Natalie.
She examined the envelope and documented it before opening it.
The letter was addressed to Evelyn Shaw.
The handwriting matched the notes in the metal box.
Peter explained that his mother had worked for my grandfather during the final years of his life. She had investigated property disputes and suspicious financial transactions.
“She believed someone was trying to take the industrial property before your grandfather died,” Peter said.
“Who?”” Marcus asked.
“My mother never told me. She said she needed proof first.””
“Did she identify Daniel Mercer?””
Peter shook his head.
“But she mentioned a police officer.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“Robert Hayes?””
Peter looked at me.
“Yes. That was the name.””
Marcus opened his notebook.
“Did your mother ever confront him?””
“Once. She said he tried to persuade her to hand over the recording.””
“Did she?””
“No. She kept it hidden.””
Peter looked at the recorder.
“She said the recording could prove who had planned the transfer.””
Natalie checked the device.
It was old but intact.
The investigators arranged for a forensic copy to be made before playback.
While they worked, Marcus received an update from the hospital.
Emma's condition was stable, but she was still shaken by the attempted removal.
I called her.
“Peter Shaw has the recording.””
There was a long silence.
“Does it mention Grandpa?””
“We don't know yet.””
“Can I hear it?””
“Not until the investigators have preserved it. But we'll make sure you're included.””
Emma breathed out.
“Claire, I'm scared.””
“I know.””
“I keep thinking Daniel will come back.””
“He won't get near you.””
“You can't promise that.””
I had no answer.
She continued.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.””
“Don't apologize.””
“I thought I could handle him. I thought if I stayed calm, if I did everything he wanted, he'd stop.””
I closed my eyes.
“Emma, none of this was your fault.””
She began crying quietly.
I listened until her breathing steadied.
Then I promised to call again.
At 10:40 a.m., the forensic team completed the initial preservation.
The recording was played in a secure interview room.
Marcus, Natalie, Peter, and I listened.
At first, there was only static.
Then an older man's voice emerged.
My grandfather.
I hadn't heard it in years.
“Evelyn, if you're listening to this, something has happened that I hoped to prevent.””
My throat tightened.
He sounded exactly as I remembered.
Calm.
Measured.
A little impatient.
“The industrial property is not simply a piece of land. The access rights are worth more than the buildings themselves. Anyone who controls both can develop the entire site.””
A pause.
“I have learned that a man named Robert Hayes has been asking questions about the trust. He claims he is helping the family. I do not believe him.””
Marcus leaned closer.
The recording continued.
“Daniel Mercer has also approached my son-in-law. He wants to arrange a transfer through a company called Eastgate Infrastructure.””
Natalie looked at Marcus.
The connection was confirmed.
My grandfather had known about Daniel and Robert before he died.
He had suspected them.
“Neither man has permission to act on my behalf,” the recording continued.
“If they approach you again, do not negotiate. Contact Margaret Ellis.””
There was a rustling sound.
Then my grandfather spoke more slowly.
“I have made one additional arrangement. The two girls are the future beneficiaries. They must remain protected from anyone who attempts to separate them or place them under financial control.””
I looked down.
The words hurt more than I expected.
My grandfather had been trying to protect us.
And we'd spent years living inside a trap he had seen coming.
Then the recording changed.
His voice became sharper.
“There is one person I have not yet identified. Someone inside the department has been providing Hayes with information.””
Marcus looked at me.
My grandfather continued.
“I do not know whether this person is acting for money or fear. But I have seen copies of private documents that should never have left the police building.””
A pause.
“Evelyn, if anything happens to me, the evidence must not remain in the trust office. It must be given to the person I name in the sealed letter.””
The recording ended with a click.
Everyone sat in silence.
Peter looked at Natalie.
“Is that enough?””
“It's significant,” she said.
“But we'll need to authenticate the recording and establish its date.””
Marcus leaned back.
“My grandfather's suspicion of Robert is now supported by evidence of the original scheme.””
I looked at the recorder.
“But he said someone else inside the department was helping.””
Marcus nodded.
“We need to identify that person.””
Peter reached into his case.
“There was another item.””
He removed a photograph.
It showed my grandfather standing outside the warehouse with three men.
I recognized Daniel.
I recognized Robert.
The third man stood partly in shadow.
His face was turned away from the camera.
Peter pointed to the back.
“My mother wrote the names on it.””
I turned it over.
Three names.
Daniel Mercer.
Robert Hayes.
Victor Lang.
I stared at the photograph.
“Victor was there before the transfer attempt.””
Marcus nodded.
“And he collected the rejection notice.””
Peter hesitated.
“My mother also wrote something else.””
He handed me a second sheet.
It was a photocopy of a note in Evelyn's handwriting.
*The lawyer is not the only one. Someone with access to the department's internal systems is sending copies of reports to the Mercer group.*
I looked at Marcus.
“Who had access to the original warehouse case?””
He took out his phone and contacted internal affairs.
A few minutes later, he received a list of personnel who had accessed case 19-447.
There were six names.
Robert Hayes.
Alan Whitmore.
Two retired officers.
A records supervisor.
And one current detective.
Marcus read the final name.
His expression changed.
“What?”” I asked.
He turned the phone toward me.
The name was Detective Laura Collins.
I stared at it.
“No.””
Marcus checked the access dates.
“Her account accessed the archived case three times.””
“When?””
“Four years ago. And twice this week.””
I shook my head.
“Laura has been helping us.””
“Maybe.””
“She protected Emma at the hospital.””
“I know.””
“She warned us about the fake officer.””
Marcus looked at me.
“Or someone wanted us to believe she was protecting Emma.””
I felt sick.
My phone rang.
Laura.
I answered immediately.
“Claire.””
Her voice sounded strained.
“Where are you?””
“With Marcus.””
“I need to speak to you alone.””
I glanced at him.
“Why?””
“Because I know who sent Daniel the original police reports.””
My heart began pounding.
“Who?””
There was a pause.
Then Laura whispered:
“Not Robert. Not Whitmore.””
“Then who?””
Her voice dropped even lower.
“Someone who's been sitting in the room with us since the beginning.””
I looked at Marcus.
Laura continued.
“And Claire, you need to understand something. The person I'm talking about knows where Emma is, knows where your parents live, and knows exactly what we're going to do next.””
The call ended.
Marcus immediately tried to call her back.
No answer.
Then a message arrived from Laura's number.
A photograph.
It showed the secure interview room where we'd just listened to my grandfather's recording.
Taken from outside the glass.
May you like
Underneath it was a single sentence.
*Stop looking for the traitor. He's already looking at you.*
