Chapter 4 - Three Days Before Claire Died
Dr. Samuel Bennett had been Claire’s oncologist.
Daniel had trusted him during the worst year of his life.
He did not like hearing Vanessa use the doctor’s name like a weapon.
“What are you talking about?”
Vanessa set down her bag.
“Claire changed her estate plan in the hospital.”
Daniel stared at her.
“No. I was there.”
“You were in the cafeteria with Rachel.”
Rachel stepped forward. “How would you know that?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Daniel called Dr. Bennett.
The doctor answered on the fourth ring.
“Daniel?”
“I need to ask you something about Claire.”
Silence.
“What happened?” Bennett asked.
“Did she sign something three days before she died?”
Another pause.
Longer this time.
“Who told you?”
Daniel’s grip tightened around the phone.
“So she did.”
“Daniel, that conversation should happen in person.”
“No. It happens now.”
Bennett exhaled.
“Claire requested a hospital notary and two witnesses. She signed a sealed instruction related to Lily’s trust.”
“What instruction?”
“I don’t know. I witnessed her signature, not the contents.”
“Where is it?”
“It was given to her attorney.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Claire’s attorney, Martin Cole, had retired six months after her death.
Daniel turned toward Vanessa.
“How do you know about it?”
She looked almost relieved.
“Because Claire told me.”
The room went still.
Rachel blinked.
“You knew Claire?”
Vanessa gave a small, bitter smile.
“Before Daniel ever met me.”
Daniel felt the floor shift under him.
“That’s a lie.”
“No. It’s the first true thing you’ve heard today.”
She walked to the kitchen island and leaned against it.
“Claire and I worked together years ago. We were friends. Then we weren’t.”
Daniel searched his memory.
Claire had rarely talked about her first job after college. A nonprofit in Chicago. She had called it “the place where I learned not everyone smiling at you is your friend.”
At the time, Daniel had thought she meant office politics.
He looked at Vanessa.
“You met me at Rachel’s fundraiser.”
“Yes.”
“You acted like we were strangers.”
“We were strangers.”
“But you knew exactly who I was.”
Vanessa did not answer.
Margaret whispered, “Oh my God.”
Daniel’s voice grew colder.
“Did you marry me because of Claire?”
“No.”
“Did you marry me because of Lily’s trust?”
“No.”
“Then why were trust documents hidden in Lily’s room?”
Vanessa’s jaw tightened.
“Because Claire left something that could destroy me.”
Daniel took one step toward her.
“What?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I’ve been trying to find.”
Rachel folded her arms.
“And you terrorized a three-year-old while looking?”
“I never terrorized her.”
Lily’s small voice came from the hallway.
“Yes, you did.”
Everyone turned.
Lily stood barefoot on the bottom stair holding her stuffed rabbit.
Daniel immediately moved toward her.
“Sweetheart, go back upstairs with Grandma.”
But Lily stared at Vanessa.
“You locked Mommy’s box.”
Vanessa’s face went white.
Daniel crouched.
“What box?”
Lily pointed toward the basement door.
“The blue one. Vanessa said there was nothing inside.”
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
She took one quick step backward.
Rachel noticed.
“Daniel,” she said quietly, “lock the front door.”
May you like
Vanessa lunged for her purse.
