Chapter 23: The Witness Who Disappeared
The confession changed everything.
But somehow, it still wasn't enough.
That was the most frustrating part.
Every answer created three more questions.
Every secret revealed another hidden door.
And behind every door was another person who knew something.
My father.
My mother.
Richard.
Simone.
Now someone else.
Someone who had been standing beside my father when he died.
"Mom.""
She didn't look at me.
"Who was there?""
Her silence answered before her words did.
"I don't know.""
I stared.
"You just said someone was there.""
"I know.""
"Then who?""
She sat down.
Her hands shook.
"There was a witness.""
Richard looked at her sharply.
"You never told me about that.""
She laughed bitterly.
"Because you didn't need to know everything.""
That surprised me.
My mother was finally turning her anger toward Richard.
The person who had controlled her for years.
"Who was the witness?""
She looked at me.
"Someone who worked with your father.""
"Name.""
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
"Angela Brooks.""
The name meant nothing.
But Richard reacted.
Only slightly.
Enough.
"You know her.""
Richard looked away.
Marcus noticed too.
"You know her.""
Richard didn't answer.
I stepped toward him.
"Who is Angela Brooks?""
He stayed quiet.
"Richard.""
His expression hardened.
"Someone who should have stayed out of this.""
That was not an answer.
It was a confession.
Marcus crossed his arms.
"So she knew the truth.""
Richard looked at him.
"She knew enough.""
"Enough to expose you?""
Richard didn't respond.
I looked at my mother.
"Where is she?""
"I don't know.""
"How can nobody know?""
My mother looked exhausted.
"Because after your father died, Angela disappeared.""
"Convenient.""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
My phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown number.
A location.
And one name.
Angela Brooks.
I looked at the screen.
"Someone knows.""
Marcus looked over.
"Who sent it?""
I shook my head.
No answer.
But I had a feeling.
Simone.
She wanted us to find the truth.
Or at least, she wanted us to believe she did.
That made her more dangerous.
We drove to the address.
An old neighborhood on the edge of town.
Nothing like my mother's estate.
Nothing like Richard's expensive office.
Just small homes.
Quiet streets.
A place where people disappeared without anyone noticing.
We found the house.
Empty.
The front door was locked.
But the mailbox had Angela's name.
"She's been here.""
Marcus pointed.
A recent letter.
Someone was still receiving mail.
I knocked.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
Then a neighbor opened her door.
"Looking for Angela?""
I turned.
"Yes.""
The woman studied us.
"Who are you?""
"I'm her friend.""
A lie.
But a necessary one.
The woman looked at Marcus.
Then at me.
"You family?""
I hesitated.
"Yes.""
She nodded slowly.
"That makes sense.""
"What does?""
"Angela always said Thomas Hayes's family would come looking eventually.""
My heart stopped.
"She knew?""
The neighbor nodded.
"She expected it.""
"Where is she?""
The woman's expression changed.
"She left three years ago.""
"Where?""
"She didn't say.""
I looked at Marcus.
"Did she leave anything?""
The woman thought.
Then nodded.
"A box.""
"What kind of box?""
"She said if someone named Darnell came, I should give it to him.""
My entire body went still.
"She knew my name?""
The neighbor disappeared inside.
When she returned, she carried a small package.
Old.
Sealed.
My name written across it.
Again.
My father's handwriting.
I stared.
"How?""
The neighbor shrugged.
"Angela said Thomas wanted you to have it.""
I opened the box carefully.
Inside was a small recorder.
And a note.
Darnell,
If you are hearing this, then Angela was able to protect the truth long enough.
Listen before you judge anyone.
Because the person who betrayed me was not the person everyone suspects.
My heart started beating faster.
I pressed play.
Static.
Then my father's voice.
Older.
Tired.
But unmistakable.
"If you are hearing this, something happened to me.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
My father's voice continued.
"I need you to know that Richard is not the only person involved.""
I looked at my mother.
She looked confused.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
"The person who helped him was someone I loved.""
The recording stopped.
Only for a second.
Then continued.
May you like
And my father's next words made everyone freeze.
"Someone in my own family.""
