Chapter 6 - WHAT REBECCA WAS AFRAID OF
The investigation changed direction overnight.
Rebecca was no longer only a suspect.
She might also have been a victim.
Daniel hated that possibility.
Nothing could excuse what she had done to Emily.
But truth didn’t become simpler just because he wanted someone to hate.
Detective Bennett discovered that Rebecca had repeatedly tried to leave the Blackwood family after Noah’s death.
Richard always brought her back.
Sometimes with money.
Sometimes with threats.
Once with a court petition declaring her mentally unstable.
The petition had quietly disappeared.
Vanessa finally admitted the rest.
“My father blamed Rebecca for Noah.”
Daniel stared at her across the hospital cafeteria.
“Was she responsible?”
“She left him alone.”
“So yes.”
Vanessa nodded.
“But my father was supposed to be watching him too.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
“Rebecca had begged him to stay.”
“Why?”
“She knew she was drinking too much.”
Vanessa’s voice cracked.
“She asked Dad to take Noah for the afternoon.”
“He agreed.”
“But he left.”
“Where?”
“To a board meeting.”
Daniel felt disgust rise in his throat.
“So Noah was alone.”
“Yes.”
“And Richard erased everything because an investigation would have exposed him too.”
Vanessa nodded.
Daniel looked away.
For ten years, Richard had controlled Rebecca with shared guilt.
Then Emily discovered Noah.
Rebecca had panicked.
And instead of protecting Emily, Vanessa had protected the family secret.
“You knew Rebecca was unstable around her.”
Vanessa cried.
“I didn’t know she would hurt her.”
“You knew enough.”
“I was afraid.”
“So was Emily.”
Vanessa flinched.
Daniel stood.
“I want you to understand something.”
She looked up.
“If Emily never wants to see you again, I will respect that.”
Vanessa covered her mouth.
“You can hate me.”
“This isn’t about me.”
Daniel walked away.
His phone rang.
Detective Bennett.
“We found Richard.”
“Where?”
“Airport.”
Daniel stopped.
“And Rebecca?”
“She wasn’t with him.”
“Then where is she?”
Bennett was silent.
“Richard says he doesn’t know.”
Daniel looked through the hospital window toward Emily’s room.
Then Bennett added something.
“We searched his car.”
May you like
“And?”
“There was blood in the trunk.”
