Chapter 3: The Brake Line in Grace’s Car
Monica shook her head so fast her earrings swung. “That isn’t me.”
Richard pointed at the screen. “It is clearly you.”
“It was dark.”
“You are wearing the same diamond bracelet Grace gave you.”
Monica hid her wrist behind her back.
Rosa whispered, “Sir, Miss Grace never drove that car again after that night.”
Richard’s voice cracked. “Because she died on the hill road.”
Monica shouted, “It was an accident!”
Richard walked toward her. “You cut the brake line.”
“No.”
“Say it again while looking at my daughter.”
Lily stood in the doorway holding a sandwich, tears still on her cheeks. “Aunt Monica?”
Richard rushed to her. “Lily, go back with Rosa.”
But Lily didn’t move. “Did you hurt Mommy?”
Monica’s face softened in a fake way. “Sweetheart, your father is confused.”
Lily shook her head. “You always say that when you lie.”
Richard closed his eyes, fighting rage. “Rosa, call Detective Carter.”
Monica laughed. “Your old friend? The one who closed Grace’s case as an accident?”
Richard looked at her. “What did you just say?”
Monica realized her mistake.
Rosa whispered, “How did she know Detective Carter closed it?”
Richard pulled out his phone. “Because she was involved.”
Monica ran for the front door.
Richard caught her at the stairs. “Where are you going?”
“To my lawyer.”
“You’re not leaving.”
“You can’t hold me here.”
Lily suddenly cried, “Daddy, the basement!”
Everyone froze.
Richard turned. “What about the basement?”
Lily pointed down the hallway. “She keeps Mommy’s blue box there.”
Monica screamed, “Stop talking!”
Richard’s eyes burned. “What blue box?”
Lily whispered, “Mommy’s secret box. Aunt Monica said if I opened it, Rosa would die.”
Rosa covered her mouth.
Richard dragged Monica toward the basement door. “Open it.”
“I don’t have the key.”
Rosa stepped forward. “She keeps it under the flower vase.”
Monica glared at her. “You should have stayed poor and quiet.”
Richard found the key and unlocked the basement.
At the bottom, behind old furniture, sat a blue metal box with Grace’s initials.
Richard opened it.
Inside was a voice recorder, a stack of photos, and a note.
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The note said: RICHARD, IF I DIE, MONICA DID IT—BUT SHE IS NOT ALONE.
Then the lights went out.
