Chapter 13: The Driver Who Never Died
The black sedan remained outside the Harrington estate for nearly four minutes.
Nobody inside the house noticed it at first.
Evelyn was standing beside Margaret, reading the document Detective Mitchell had placed on the library table. The photograph of Peter Lawson lay between them.
“Are you certain this is the same man?”” Evelyn asked.
Detective Mitchell nodded.
“His fingerprints match an old employment record. He worked for Thomas Harrington for almost twelve years.””
Margaret shook her head.
“Peter was a good man. Quiet. Reliable. Thomas trusted him with everything.””
Evelyn looked at her.
“Apparently, you didn't know him very well.””
Margaret lowered her eyes.
The detective turned another page.
“Peter Lawson legally changed his name five years ago. His current identity is Peter Walsh. He lives outside the county, but we've confirmed he returned to this area yesterday.””
“Why would he come back now?”” Evelyn asked.
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
Margaret suddenly stood.
“He has the recording.””
Detective Mitchell looked up.
“What recording?””
“The original cassette Elizabeth made. Peter was the person Thomas asked to retrieve it after the accident.””
Evelyn frowned.
“Then why did Thomas never give it to the police?””
Margaret looked toward the window.
“Because Peter told him that the recording implicated someone Thomas couldn't bear to lose.””
The detective's expression hardened.
“Who?””
Margaret shook her head.
“He never told me.””
A loud horn sounded outside.
Evelyn turned toward the window.
The black sedan was pulling away.
Detective Mitchell immediately reached for her radio.
“Unit Two, possible suspect vehicle leaving the Harrington property. Black sedan, westbound.””
Evelyn moved toward the glass.
“That's him.””
“How do you know?”” the detective asked.
She pointed.
“The driver looked directly at me.””
The detective rushed outside.
Marcus, who had been waiting near the front entrance with Cole and Ethan, saw the sedan accelerate.
“Cole!””
Cole turned.
Marcus pointed toward the road.
“That's our man.””
Cole ran toward the driveway.
“Get in!””
Marcus started his motorcycle.
Ethan grabbed his keys.
Within seconds, the two bikers were following the sedan while Detective Mitchell coordinated with patrol units.
Cole remained beside the gate.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice sounded through the speaker.
“Cole Bennett?””
“Who is this?””
“Someone who knew your mother.””
“Peter Lawson?””
A short laugh.
“Your mother was a brave woman.””
Cole gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere your grandfather used to take me when he wanted to get away from the family.””
“Why are you calling me?””
“Because your mother deserved to have her story heard.””
Cole's voice dropped.
“Then tell me what happened.””
The man was silent.
Then he said:
“Meet me at the old Harrington boathouse. Come without the police.””
The call ended.
Cole immediately dialed Detective Mitchell.
The boathouse stood beside a narrow lake twenty miles outside town.
It had once been part of the Harrington estate, but Thomas had sold the surrounding property years earlier. Only the wooden structure remained.
When Cole arrived with Detective Mitchell and two officers, the building was dark.
Marcus and Ethan were already there.
Marcus had parked his motorcycle behind a cluster of trees.
“Did you see him?”” Cole asked.
Marcus shook his head.
“Not yet.””
A light flickered inside the boathouse.
Then the door opened.
An elderly man stepped out.
He wore a brown jacket and carried a small leather case.
Cole recognized him from the photograph.
Peter Lawson.
The man looked directly at Cole.
“You have Elizabeth's eyes.””
Cole didn't move.
“Where's the recording?””
Peter held up the case.
“Safe.””
“Give it to me.””
“Not yet.””
Detective Mitchell stepped forward.
“Mr. Lawson, I'm Detective Mitchell. We need you to explain your involvement in Elizabeth Harrington's death.””
Peter looked at her.
“I've waited twenty-three years for someone to ask.””
He opened the case.
Inside was a cassette, a small notebook, and several photographs.
Cole's breathing changed.
“Is that hers?””
Peter nodded.
“Yes.””
He handed the cassette to Detective Mitchell.
Then he looked at Cole.
“Your mother recorded the conversation herself. She knew Richard was stealing money. She also knew Andrew was helping him.””
Cole stared.
“Why didn't you protect her?””
Peter's face crumpled.
“I tried.””
“That's not an answer.””
“I was driving Thomas to the warehouse that night. We were supposed to meet Elizabeth. But Margaret called and told us you had been kidnapped.””
Cole frowned.
“That was a lie.””
Peter nodded.
“Thomas knew it almost immediately. He ordered me to turn around. But before we reached the warehouse, Richard called.””
“What did he say?””
“He said Elizabeth had already left.””
Peter lowered his head.
“I knew he was lying.””
“Then why didn't you go?””
“Because I was a coward.””
The word came out like a confession.
Peter explained that he had driven back toward the accident scene after dropping Thomas at home. When he arrived, Michael's car was gone, and Elizabeth's vehicle had been moved.
But he found something.
A small leather handbag lying beside the road.
Inside was the cassette recorder.
He took it before anyone else could find it.
“Why?””
“Because Richard was searching for it. He told me that if the recording became public, everyone involved would go to prison.””
Cole stared.
“Were you involved?””
Peter nodded.
“I helped Richard move company money. I falsified delivery records. I never touched Elizabeth, but I helped create the conditions that put her in danger.””
Detective Mitchell exchanged a glance with her officers.
“Then you're admitting to financial crimes?””
“Yes.””
Peter looked at Cole.
“I'll tell the police everything. But there's something on that recording you need to hear.””
He handed the cassette to Detective Mitchell.
She examined it.
“We'll have it transferred and preserved properly.””
Peter nodded.
Then he removed one final photograph from the case.
It showed Thomas Harrington standing beside a little boy.
The boy was approximately four years old.
Cole stared.
“Who's that?””
Peter's eyes filled.
“That's you.””
Cole looked closer.
The photograph was dated twenty-five years earlier.
But he had been born twenty-three years ago.
He frowned.
“That's impossible.””
Peter shook his head.
“Look at the date again.””
The date was correct.
Cole turned the photograph over.
On the back was Thomas's handwriting.
The day I finally met my grandson.
Cole looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Peter swallowed.
“Thomas met you before Patricia adopted you.””
Cole's voice became unsteady.
“You told me he respected my mother's decision.””
“He did. But before that, he spent several months trying to find you.””
“Why?””
Peter looked toward the lake.
“Because Elizabeth had another secret.””
He paused.
“Your biological father wasn't the man everyone believed.””
Cole felt his stomach tighten.
“What are you saying?””
Peter looked directly at him.
“Elizabeth was married to a man named James Bennett. But he wasn't your biological father.””
Cole stared at the old driver.
“Then who was?””
Peter opened his mouth.
Before he could answer, a gunshot cracked through the night.
The boathouse window shattered.
Detective Mitchell shouted for everyone to get down.
Marcus pulled Cole behind the wooden railing.
A second shot struck the side of the building.
Peter dropped the leather case.
May you like
And from somewhere in the darkness, a voice shouted:
“Give me the cassette!””
