Chapter 7: My Mother Was at the Crash Site
I couldn't move.
The photograph trembled between my fingers.
My mother stood beside my father's wrecked car, wearing the same navy coat she'd told me she had thrown away years ago.
There was blood on her sleeve.
And in the background, barely visible through the rain, stood another person.
Robert.
I looked at my mother.
"Tell me this isn't real.""
She covered her mouth.
"Nia...""
"Were you there when Dad died?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes.""
The word was barely audible.
I stepped backward.
"Why?""
My mother reached for me, but I pulled away.
"Don't touch me. Not until you explain why you've spent seven years letting me believe Dad died alone.""
She began crying harder.
"I wanted to tell you.""
"When?""
"When you were older. When I thought you could understand.""
"I'm twenty-nine, Mom!""
"I know.""
"Then explain!""
Outside the door, Robert knocked again.
"Evelyn, don't make this worse. Open the door.""
My mother flinched.
Claire moved toward the entrance.
"Get away from that door.""
Robert's voice hardened.
"This is a family matter. Claire, you have no right to interfere.""
Claire raised her phone.
"Actually, I have every right. And I'm recording this conversation.""
There was a brief silence.
Then Robert laughed.
"You think a recording will save you?""
Claire looked at me.
"He's trying to scare us.""
My mother sank onto the sofa.
I sat opposite her, still holding the photograph.
"Start talking.""
She stared at the carpet.
"Your father called me that night. He said he had evidence against Robert and Patricia. He told me to meet him at an old service road near the Grand Meridian.""
"Why there?""
"He said someone at the hotel had agreed to give him financial records.""
I swallowed.
"And you went?""
"Yes.""
"Alone?""
She shook her head.
"I asked Robert to come with me.""
I stared at her.
"You called Robert?""
"He was your father's brother. I thought he could help us.""
Claire closed her eyes.
"That was a mistake.""
My mother nodded.
"I know that now.""
She took a shaky breath.
"When we arrived, your father was standing beside his car. He had a briefcase. Robert was already there.""
"What happened?""
"They argued.""
My mother's voice broke.
"Your father accused Robert of stealing from the company. Robert said the money was being moved temporarily to protect the family.""
"Did Dad believe him?""
"No. Your father said he'd already contacted an attorney.""
Claire leaned forward.
"Which attorney?""
"I don't know. He never told me.""
My mother continued.
"Robert became angry. He grabbed the briefcase. Your father tried to stop him. They struggled, and the briefcase fell.""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Then I heard a car engine.""
My heart began pounding.
"What car?""
"A black SUV. It came down the road very fast.""
"Who was driving?""
My mother looked at me.
"I couldn't see the driver's face.""
"Did it hit Dad's car?""
She nodded.
"Your father was standing near the driver's side. The SUV struck the car and pushed it down the embankment.""
I covered my mouth.
"Was Dad inside?""
"No. He was thrown against the side of the vehicle.""
My mother began sobbing.
"I ran toward him. He was breathing, Nia. He was alive.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"Then why did he die?""
She looked at the photograph.
"Because Robert wouldn't let me call for help.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
"He grabbed my phone. He said the police would find the documents and destroy all of us. He said we needed to think.""
"Think?""
"He told me your father had already signed papers that would implicate the entire family. He said if I called the police, you'd lose everything.""
My hands began shaking.
"Mom, Dad was injured. He needed an ambulance.""
"I know!""
Her voice cracked.
"I know, sweetheart. I've spent seven years hearing that same thought in my head.""
Claire stood.
"Did Robert leave him there?""
My mother nodded.
"He said he'd get help. He made me promise not to tell anyone what happened.""
"And you believed him?""
"I was terrified.""
She looked at me.
"Then I saw the SUV drive away. I tried to get to your father again, but Robert pulled me back.""
I couldn't breathe.
"What happened after that?""
"A second car arrived. Two men got out. Robert told them to move your father's car and make it look like an accident.""
Claire's face hardened.
"Who were they?""
"I didn't know them.""
My mother reached into her handbag.
"I kept something.""
She pulled out a small plastic bag.
Inside was a silver cufflink.
My father's initials were engraved on the front.
I recognized it immediately.
He had worn a matching pair to my high school graduation.
"Where did you get that?""
"It was caught in my coat that night. I found it when I got home.""
I took it carefully.
"Why didn't you give it to the police?""
"Because Robert called me the next morning. He said he knew where you were. He knew your school. He knew which road you took home.""
My stomach twisted.
"He threatened me?""
"He said accidents could happen to anyone.""
I felt tears finally rise.
"You let me grow up thinking Dad died because of bad weather.""
My mother reached for my hand.
"I was trying to keep you alive.""
I pulled away.
"By lying to me?""
"By keeping you away from the people who killed him.""
Claire looked toward the door.
"Robert is still outside. We need to leave.""
Before anyone could move, Thomas appeared from the adjoining room.
"There's another way out. A service corridor connects to the lower parking garage.""
Claire nodded.
"Good. Let's go.""
I looked at my mother.
She was trembling.
For the first time in my life, I didn't know whether to hug her or run away from her.
But I took her hand.
"You're coming with me.""
She nodded.
We followed Thomas through the service corridor.
As we reached the elevator, Claire's phone rang.
Daniel Reeves.
She answered.
"Daniel, we have a problem.""
His voice was urgent.
"Where are you?""
"Leaving room 1806.""
"Don't go to the main entrance. Robert has already contacted hotel security.""
Claire stopped.
"What?""
"He claims you're carrying stolen company property.""
I looked at my mother.
Daniel continued.
"There's something else. I had the police verify the accident report. The original medical record was altered.""
My heart stopped.
"What does that mean?"" I asked.
Daniel went silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Your father was still alive when the first emergency call was made.""
I gripped the elevator railing.
"Who made the call?""
Daniel answered.
"Your mother.""
I turned toward Evelyn.
She was crying silently.
And then Daniel added:
"But the call was canceled eleven minutes later.""
I stared at my mother.
"Who canceled it?""
May you like
She closed her eyes.
"Robert.""
