Chapter 3 - THE VOICE OF A DEAD WOMAN
The cylinder contained a miniature storage device.
Anthony arranged for an independent forensic technician to examine it without altering the original evidence.
Cole waited in his study.
Elena sat near the window with Eli asleep against her shoulder.
Noah refused to leave his father's side.
At midnight, the technician returned.
“There are audio recordings.”
Cole stood.
“How many?”
“Seven.”
The technician hesitated.
“One appears to be addressed to you.”
Cole's face went pale.
“Play it.”
A faint hiss filled the room.
Then a woman's voice.
“Cole.”
Noah sat upright.
“Mommy?”
Cole gripped the desk.
Claire's voice continued.
“If you're hearing this, something has happened to me.”
Elena felt tears rise.
The recording was dated eleven days before Claire's death.
“I found out Daniel has been moving money through the foundation. Not small amounts. Millions.”
Cole closed his eyes.
Claire continued.
“I know you trust him. That's why I'm frightened.”
A pause.
Then:
“He's been using the children's charity accounts to hide payments. Some of those payments are connected to men who work for you.”
Cole's jaw tightened.
“I tried to tell you last week,” Claire said. “But Daniel interrupted us.”
The recording crackled.
Then her voice became softer.
“Cole, I don't know how much you know about what happens inside your organization anymore.”
He flinched.
“But I know you love Noah.”
A long pause.
“And I know there's still a part of you that wants to be better than the world you inherited.”
Cole stared at the floor.
Claire continued.
“If I can't tell you this myself, please protect our son.”
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Noah began crying quietly.
Cole knelt beside him.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, buddy?”
“Was Mommy scared?”
Cole's eyes filled.
“I think she was.”
Noah looked toward the speaker.
“Did she know she was going to die?”
Cole couldn't answer.
Elena stepped closer.
“She knew she loved you,” she said gently.
Noah looked at her.
“And she wanted you safe.”
The boy nodded.
Cole looked at Elena.
His expression was full of gratitude and grief.
Then Anthony spoke.
“Boss, there's more.”
Cole stood.
“What?”
The technician opened another file.
“This recording is dated the night before the accident.”
Claire's voice emerged again.
But this time, she wasn't alone.
A man's voice spoke in the background.
Daniel Cross.
May you like
And what he said made Cole's blood turn cold.
“You should have stayed out of this, Claire.”
