Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO DIED IN THE RAIN
Claire Mercer had died on a wet October evening.
Her car left the highway.
Struck a barrier.
And overturned into a drainage ditch.
The police report called it an accident.
Poor visibility.
Standing water.
Loss of control.
Cole had accepted the conclusion because he had been too broken to question it.
But now he began remembering things.
Claire had been anxious during the weeks before her death.
She'd stopped attending certain charity events.
She'd asked unusual questions about company accounts.
And she'd argued with Daniel Cross twice.
Cole had dismissed the arguments as business disagreements.
Now he wasn't sure.
Elena found him standing beside Claire's portrait.
He looked exhausted.
“Sir?”
Cole turned.
“Mrs. Bennett.”
She hesitated.
“Margaret says you haven't eaten.”
He smiled bitterly.
“Margaret worries too much.”
“She worries because she cares.”
Cole looked at her.
Then asked:
“Did your husband die suddenly?”
Elena froze.
The question was unexpected.
“No.”
Cole waited.
“He was sick for almost two years.”
Her voice softened.
“Some days were good. Some were terrible.”
Cole looked down.
“Did you know it was coming?”
“Yes.”
She swallowed.
“But knowing didn't make it easier.”
Cole stared at the portrait.
“I never got to say goodbye.”
Elena felt her chest tighten.
“I'm sorry.”
He nodded.
Then whispered:
“Sometimes I think Noah believes I blame him.”
Elena frowned.
“Why would he?”
Cole closed his eyes.
“Because Claire was driving to pick up his birthday present.”
Silence.
Elena stepped closer.
“Mr. Mercer.”
He looked at her.
“No child should carry that.”
His eyes filled.
“I know.”
She continued.
“And neither should you.”
May you like
For the first time, Cole Mercer looked at Elena Bennett not as an employee.
But as someone who understood what grief could do to a family.
