Chapter 17 - Diane’s Confession
We took David to a hospital under police protection.
For hours, doctors worked to stabilize him.
Evan sat outside the operating room.
I sat beside him.
He didn't speak.
Neither did I.
Diane stood across the hallway.
Richard was still missing.
Victor was still missing.
Marcus was in custody.
Elaine had disappeared with Samuel.
And David had just accused Diane of being the person we should not trust.
Finally, Evan stood.
He walked toward his mother.
“Tell me everything.”
Diane shook her head.
“I wanted to protect you.”
“That's not enough.”
“I know.”
“Did you know Anna was going to die?”
“No.”
“Did you know Richard was stealing money?”
“Yes.”
“Did you help him?”
“No.”
“Did you cover it up?”
Diane started crying.
“Yes.”
Evan looked away.
“Why?”
“Because Richard told me Victor would destroy you.”
“That wasn't your decision to make.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe my father abandoned me.”
“He asked me to.”
Evan froze.
“What?”
“David told me to make you hate him.”
“Why?”
“So you would stop looking for him.”
Diane wiped her face.
“Victor had people everywhere.”
“What about Samuel?”
“I never knew where he was.”
“Richard did.”
“Yes.”
“And Elaine?”
Diane shook her head.
“Elaine was David’s protection.”
“Then why did David say don't trust you?”
Diane whispered.
“Because I made one mistake.”
“What mistake?”
She looked at me.
“I told Richard where Samuel was.”
Evan stepped back.
“When?”
“Six years ago.”
“Why?”
“He was threatening me.”
“With what?”
“Your father.”
Evan stared.
“Richard knew David was alive.”
“Yes.”
“He knew Samuel was alive.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't he tell anyone?”
“Because Samuel was his leverage.”
My blood ran cold.
“To control what?”
Diane closed her eyes.
“The trust.”
Evan frowned.
“What trust?”
“The original Brooks trust.”
She explained.
Years earlier, David had created a private trust for his children.
Evan.
Samuel.
And a third beneficiary.
I.
My heart stopped.
“Me?”
Diane nodded.
“Your father considered you part of the family because of the agreement between the Brooks and Lane families.”
I shook my head.
“Then Victor wasn't lying.”
“No.”
Diane looked at me.
“That was the part he told the truth about.”
Evan turned.
“So who controls the trust?”
Diane whispered.
“Whoever possesses the original deed.”
The investigator approached.
“We found the deed.”
Everyone turned.
“Where?”
“In Richard’s car.”
My heart hammered.
“Is he arrested?”
“Not yet.”
“Where is he?”
“We don't know.”
The investigator handed Evan a small envelope.
“There was something else.”
Inside was a photograph.
Richard stood beside Elaine.
And between them was Samuel.
The date was three months earlier.
Evan stared.
“She’s working with him.”
“No,” I said.
“Look.”
I looked closer.
Samuel was smiling.
Elaine wasn't.
Richard was.
On the back was a handwritten sentence.
HE WAS NEVER HIDING FROM US.
WE WERE HIDING HIM FROM HER.
I looked at Diane.
“Who is her?”
Diane's face collapsed.
“Anna’s mother.”
Rachel stepped forward.
“My grandmother?”
Diane nodded.
“She has been looking for Samuel for twelve years.”
“Why?”
“Because she believes David stole him.”
Rachel stared.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“She believes David caused Anna’s death.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“Then who told her?”
Diane looked at me.
“Richard.”
The investigator suddenly received a call.
He listened.
Then his face changed.
“We found Richard.”
Evan stood.
“Where?”
“Near the river.”
“Is Samuel with him?”
The investigator hesitated.
“No.”
“Then who?”
May you like
He looked at me.
“Victor.”
