Chapter 7 - THE CAR OUTSIDE
The next morning, I noticed a black SUV parked across the street.
It had been there for hours.
I called the police.
By the time an officer arrived, it was gone.
Ryan insisted I was imagining things.
But Caleb wasn't.
He had noticed it too.
“Mom, that car was at Grandma's yesterday.”
My blood ran cold.
Someone was following us.
I packed a bag.
“We're leaving.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
Ryan blocked the doorway.
“You can't.”
“I can.”
“Natalie, listen to me.”
“No.”
“You don't know what you're getting into.”
“I know exactly what I'm getting into.”
I held up the drive.
“You created this.”
Ryan lowered his voice.
“If you go to the police, they'll come after Caleb.”
That stopped me.
He had found the one thing that could control me.
My son.
“You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
Then Caleb appeared behind him.
“Dad?”
Ryan turned.
Caleb stared at him.
“Are bad people following us?”
Ryan didn't answer.
Caleb looked at me.
“Are we in danger?”
I knelt beside him.
“I'm going to keep you safe.”
Ryan looked devastated.
But I no longer trusted his fear.
I trusted my instincts.
That afternoon, I contacted an attorney.
Her name was Michelle Carter.
She listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she said:
“You have a recording that may establish evidence of criminal wrongdoing.”
“Yes.”
“Do not confront your husband again.”
“Why?”
“Because if he knows what you have, he may try to take it.”
“He already knows.”
Michelle looked at me carefully.
“Then you need to assume he isn't your only problem.”
I showed her the photograph.
She stared at it.
Then she recognized the executive.
Her expression changed.
“Natalie…”
“What?”
“That man isn't just a company executive.”
“Who is he?”
“He's under federal investigation.”
My stomach dropped.
“For what?”
She leaned forward.
“Money laundering.”
I stared at her.
Suddenly, the helicopter accident wasn't an isolated tragedy.
May you like
It was connected to something much larger.
And my husband might have been involved from the beginning.
