Chapter 8 - EVELYN’S LETTER
They escaped through an old storm tunnel beneath the clinic.
Daniel led them through darkness until they emerged in the woods half a mile away.
Robert’s men searched the building behind them.
Nobody spoke until they reached Ethan’s car.
Then Colleen opened the envelope.
Her hands shook.
Inside was a letter dated August 14, 2001.
My sweet Colleen,
If you ever read this, it means the Langfords found us again.
Colleen stopped.
Daniel looked away.
She continued.
Her mother wrote that Daniel had discovered financial records proving Robert had been stealing millions from the family company.
George Langford planned to remove Robert from the business.
Two nights later, George died.
Daniel accused Robert.
Robert threatened Evelyn and their infant daughter.
So Daniel disappeared.
Not because he wanted to.
Because Robert promised Colleen would be killed if Daniel ever contacted them.
Jessica covered her mouth.
Colleen kept reading.
The final paragraph made her voice crack.
Daniel loves you.
He stayed away because I asked him to.
I chose fear because I thought fear would keep you alive.
I hope one day you choose something better.
Colleen folded the letter.
She stared at Daniel.
“You listened to her for twenty-five years?”
“I watched from a distance.”
“You watched?”
“I paid for your college scholarship.”
Colleen blinked.
“That anonymous foundation?”
Daniel nodded.
“I followed your graduation online.”
Her eyes filled.
“You could have spoken to me.”
“I wanted to.”
“But?”
“I was afraid Robert would notice.”
Colleen laughed bitterly.
“So everybody decided what was best for me.”
Daniel had no answer.
Jessica touched Colleen’s arm.
“Your mother was trying to protect you.”
“So was everybody.”
Colleen stepped away.
“And somehow I’m still the person who never got a choice.”
Ethan broke the silence.
“We can argue after we survive.”
Daniel nodded.
“Robert’s biggest secret isn’t George’s murder.”
Jessica stared at him.
“There’s more?”
“Much more.”
Daniel opened a portable drive.
“Robert built his empire using properties bought through shell companies.”
“Illegal?”
“Some.”
“Others were stolen.”
“From whom?”
“Old people.”
“Families in foreclosure.”
“Business partners.”
Daniel’s mouth tightened.
“And Jessica.”
She froze.
“What do you mean me?”
“Your father left you forty percent of a development company.”
Jessica shook her head.
“My father died bankrupt.”
“No.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Robert forged documents making it look that way.”
Jessica sat completely still.
“He married you for your inheritance.”
Daniel nodded.
“And once he had control of your shares, he made sure you could never leave.”
Jessica’s face collapsed.
Fourteen years of marriage suddenly rearranged themselves in her mind.
Every apology.
Every gift.
Every threat.
Every locked door.
“He never loved me.”
Daniel looked almost sorry.
“No.”
Ethan checked his phone.
Then swore.
“What?”
He turned the screen toward them.
Breaking news.
Robert Langford stood before cameras outside the Grand Plaza.
His jaw was bruised.
His expression solemn.
Beside him stood a police commissioner.
Robert announced that Jessica had been “abducted by a violent former employee.”
Colleen’s photograph appeared behind him.
May you like
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
“The police are now seeking Colleen Hayes for kidnapping, burglary, and attempted murder.”
