Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO KILLED HER MOTHER
The investigation into Joanne Hughes's death reopened.
Detectives reviewed the original hit-and-run file.
Witness statements.
Vehicle records.
Traffic footage.
Insurance claims.
For weeks, Clara heard nothing.
Then one afternoon, a detective called.
“We found something.”
Her hands shook.
“What?”
“A vehicle connected to the incident.”
Clara sat down.
The car had been registered to a company owned by Edward Kensington.
It had been repaired shortly after Joanne's death.
The repair records showed damage consistent with the collision.
Clara closed her eyes.
“Was it him?”
“We're still investigating who was driving.”
She swallowed.
“Okay.”
***
Damian accompanied Clara to the police station.
He didn't speak for her.
He didn't interrupt.
He sat beside her while detectives explained the evidence.
They had located a former driver employed by Kensington.
The man had agreed to cooperate.
His statement implicated Edward in arranging surveillance of Joanne.
He also identified the driver involved in the collision.
Clara listened.
Her hands trembled.
Then she asked:
“Was it intentional?”
The detective answered carefully.
“The evidence suggests Joanne was deliberately targeted. We're pursuing charges based on the available evidence.”
Clara closed her eyes.
For two years, she'd imagined a careless driver.
A terrible accident.
Now she faced something worse.
Her mother had been hunted.
***
That evening, Clara returned to the estate.
She walked into the kitchen.
The damaged walls had been cleaned.
Repairs were underway.
The smell of smoke lingered faintly.
She stood beside the counter where she'd made the pie.
Then began crying.
Damian found her there.
He stopped.
“Clara.”
She looked up.
“She was afraid her whole life.”
His expression tightened.
“I know.”
“She never stopped looking over her shoulder.”
He stepped closer.
Clara shook her head.
“And she was right.”
Damian's eyes filled.
For a moment, he looked like the ten-year-old boy in the photograph.
The boy whose birthday Joanne had remembered.
Then he whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
Clara closed her eyes.
“I know.”
He held out his hand.
May you like
She took it.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to lean against him.
