Chapter 4 - ROOM 417
Matthew didn't tell the police everything.
Not yet.
He didn't trust anyone.
By seven the next morning, he and Grace were driving toward downtown Seattle.
The twins were staying with a private security team inside the house.
Matthew had refused to leave them alone.
Grace sat in the passenger seat.
She looked nervous.
"You don't have to come."
"I do."
"Why?"
"Because Jessica trusted me."
Matthew glanced at her.
"You barely knew her."
Grace looked out the window.
"Sometimes you don't need years to know someone."
He said nothing.
The Rainier Hotel rose ahead.
Matthew parked underground.
They entered through a private entrance.
Room 417 was on the fourth floor.
Matthew used the silver key.
The door opened.
The room was empty.
Completely empty.
He searched the drawers.
Nothing.
The closet.
Nothing.
The bathroom.
Nothing.
Then Grace noticed something.
"Mr. Carter."
She pointed beneath the bed.
A small metal box.
Matthew pulled it out.
It was locked.
The silver key fit.
Inside were three items.
A USB drive.
A handwritten notebook.
And a photograph.
Matthew picked up the notebook.
The first page contained Jessica's handwriting.
Matthew, if you're reading this, I failed to tell you the truth.
His breath caught.
He continued reading.
I never stopped loving you. I left because I thought leaving would keep our boys alive.
Matthew closed his eyes.
Grace stood beside him.
"Keep reading."
He did.
Jessica described financial transfers.
Shell companies.
Fake invoices.
Missing shipments.
Names.
Dates.
Amounts.
At the bottom of one page was a name that made Matthew's stomach turn.
Michael Dawson.
His business partner.
But beneath it was another name.
Daniel Hart.
And another.
Evelyn Carter.
Matthew froze.
His mother.
He stared at the page.
"No."
Grace didn't speak.
"My mother?"
Jessica had written:
I found evidence that Michael wasn't acting alone. Evelyn knows about the accounts. Daniel is helping move the money. If Matthew confronts them too soon, they'll destroy everything.
Matthew's hands shook.
His mother had always been the person he trusted most.
She had helped raise the boys.
She had been the one telling him he needed to work harder.
She had been the one criticizing Jessica for being distant.
And now her name was in Jessica's notebook.
Matthew flipped the page.
There was one final sentence.
The worst part is that someone close to me told them about the children.
Grace suddenly looked toward the door.
"Someone's coming."
Matthew closed the notebook.
Footsteps approached.
The door handle moved.
He grabbed Grace's arm.
They stepped into the bathroom.
The door opened.
Two men entered.
Matthew recognized one.
Michael Dawson.
The other man was Daniel Hart.
Michael spoke quietly.
"She must have hidden it here."
Daniel answered.
"Jessica wasn't stupid."
"Then find it."
Matthew's heart hammered.
Grace covered her mouth.
Michael continued.
"If Carter finds those records, we're finished."
Daniel laughed.
"He's too busy playing father now."
Michael's voice dropped.
"Not anymore."
Matthew clenched his fists.
Grace touched his arm.
She shook her head.
Not yet.
Michael suddenly walked toward the bathroom.
Matthew prepared himself.
The handle moved.
Then a phone rang.
Michael answered.
"What?"
His expression changed.
"What do you mean the boys are still alive?"
Matthew's blood turned cold.
Michael listened.
Then whispered:
"Find them."
The call ended.
Daniel stared at him.
"What's wrong?"
Michael's face was pale.
"Jessica's backup plan worked."
"What backup plan?"
Michael looked toward the bathroom.
"I don't know."
He walked away.
The door slammed.
Matthew waited.
Then he stepped out.
Grace was shaking.
"Did you hear him?"
"Yes."
"What does he mean by backup plan?"
Matthew looked at the USB drive.
"I think we're about to find out."
They returned home.
Matthew inserted the drive.
A video opened.
Jessica appeared on the screen.
She looked tired.
Terrified.
But determined.
"Matthew," she said.
"If you're watching this, it means you finally know."
She took a breath.
"I need you to listen carefully."
May you like
Then she said something that made Matthew's entire world collapse.
"The boys are not safe with your mother."
