I also managed to grab some of the documents Richard had shown me. That’s what’s hidden in the painting, Becca. Not just company records, but evidence of Richard’s murder. Officer Taylor, who had been quietly taking notes, stepped forward. Why didn’t you come forward then? Brooke saw me. Not that day, but a week later.
Made it very clear what would happen to my sister if I ever spoke up. Then a few months later, Becca met Matthew. Leah looked at me apologetically. I tried to warn you, but you were so happy. By the time I realized what they were doing to you, they had already started poisoning me, making sure I stayed quiet, using my illness to control both of us.
Doctor Jones checked Leah’s latest test results. The new treatment is working, but slowly. We need to keep her under close observation for at least 24 hours. My phone buzzed again. Another message from Matthew. 1 hour. Come alone or the painting burns along with everything else you care about. Go, Leah said firmly. I’ve got Dr.
Jones and the police here. Kate can stay with me. You need to end this. It’s not safe. Officer Taylor warned. We can send a team to the lakehouse. No, I said an idea forming. Matthew expects me to come alone, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. But first, I need to make a call. I stepped into the hallway and dialed a number I hadn’t used in 3 years.
It rang twice before a familiar voice answered. Rebecca, is it really you? Claire, I fought back tears at hearing my best friend’s voice. Remember when you told me there was something off about Matthew? About the whole Harrison family? I need your help. You still work for the FBI’s financial crimes division, right? 20 minutes later, I was in my car driving toward the lakehouse.
In my rear view mirror, I could see the unmarked vehicles following at a discrete distance. Claire’s team coordinating with local law enforcement. My hands were steady on the wheel as I rehearsed the plan in my head. What Matthew didn’t know was that while he’d been focused on Leah’s painting, he’d missed something far more important.Something I discovered the night before when I’d finally gathered the courage to open the locked drawer in Brook’s antique desk at their main house. The contents of that drawer explained everything. Why they’d chosen me, why they’d targeted other successful women over the years, and most importantly, where all the money had really gone.
