Chapter 5 - Vanessa’s Version
Vanessa filed for a temporary restraining order against Daniel.
Not because he had touched her.
Because, according to her affidavit, he had become “volatile, obsessive, and threatening” since discovering Eleanor’s note.
Daniel read the filing twice.
“This is absurd.”
His attorney, Natalie Pierce, disagreed.
“It is strategic.”
“She trapped Lily.”
“And she knows you are furious.”
“I’ve never threatened her.”
“She quotes three messages.”
Daniel looked down.
One read:
If you had anything to do with Eleanor’s death, there will be nowhere you can hide.
Natalie raised an eyebrow.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“That was stupid.”
“Yes.”
Another:
Stay away from my daughter or I swear you’ll regret it.
Daniel looked away.
Natalie closed the file.
“You need to stop communicating with Vanessa.”
“I already have.”
“Good.”
The court granted a limited mutual no-contact order pending investigation.
Vanessa was barred from approaching Lily.
Daniel was barred from contacting Vanessa directly.
Vanessa then made her second move.
She petitioned for temporary access to marital funds.
Their prenuptial agreement limited what she could receive in divorce, but she was still Daniel’s lawful spouse.
Reporters learned about the elevator.
Then Eleanor’s old financial investigation leaked.
The Mercer family scandal spread across television.
MILLIONAIRE DEVELOPER’S WIFE UNDER INVESTIGATION AFTER CHILD TRAPPED IN ELEVATOR.
DEAD FIRST WIFE’S WARNING FOUND.
Daniel hated the headlines.
Vanessa understood headlines.
She gave no interviews.
Instead her attorney issued a statement saying she was “deeply concerned about the exploitation of a frightened child and a grieving family tragedy.”
Daniel nearly threw his phone.
Natalie took it away.
“You are proving her point.”
“She is using Eleanor.”
“She’s using you.”
Daniel stopped.
That night, Marcus brought him a folder.
“I found photographs.”
“More security stills?”
“No.”
Marcus placed three printed images on the desk.
Eleanor and Vanessa together at a foundation gala.
Eleanor smiling.
Vanessa beside her.
Another photograph showed them having lunch.
A third showed Vanessa at Ashcroft House holding infant Lily.
Daniel stared.
“She held my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“What were they?”
“Friends.”
“For how long?”
“About two years.”
Daniel felt betrayed by everyone, including the dead.
“Why didn’t Eleanor ever mention her?”
Marcus hesitated.
“She did.”
Daniel looked up.
“When?”
“Once. You were leaving for Tokyo. She said Vanessa had become difficult.”
Daniel searched his memory.
A hallway.
Eleanor angry.
Something about a consultant.
Daniel fastening cuff links.
He had said, Fire her if she’s a problem.
He had not even asked the woman’s name.
Daniel sat back.
“She tried to tell me.”
Marcus said nothing.
“She tried.”
“Yes.”
The word hurt more than accusation.
Detective Holt called the next morning.
Vanessa wanted to give a second statement.
This time she admitted the $240,000 payment.
“It was hush money,” she said.
Her attorney stiffened.
Holt leaned forward.
“Hush money for what?”
“Financial fraud.”
“Whose?”
“Adrian’s.”
“And yours?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Yes.”
Daniel watched through recorded interview footage later.
Vanessa explained.
She had created false consulting reports for foundation vendors controlled by Adrian.
At first, she told herself the work was merely exaggerated.
Then invoices grew.
So did payments.
She received money.
Eleanor discovered it.
“Why did Adrian pay you the night Eleanor died?” Holt asked.
“Because she threatened to expose us.”
“What did you do at Ashcroft House?”
“I begged her not to.”
“Did you threaten her?”
“No.”
“Did you take her phone?”
Vanessa’s breathing changed.
“No.”
“Did you follow her when she left?”
“No.”
Holt placed a traffic-camera photograph on the table.
Vanessa’s car.
Approximately six minutes behind Eleanor’s.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Her attorney whispered something.
Holt waited.
Finally Vanessa said, “I followed her.”
“Why?”
“She said she was going to Adrian.”
“Where was Adrian?”
“At a development site in Concord.”
Near the road where Eleanor died.
Daniel felt cold.
Holt asked, “Did you see the crash?”
Vanessa began crying.
“Yes.”
Daniel stopped the video.
He couldn’t breathe.
Natalie sat beside him.
“You don’t have to watch the rest now.”
“Yes, I do.”
He pressed play.
Holt asked, “What did you do when Eleanor crashed?”
Vanessa whispered, “Nothing.”
“What does that mean?”
“I stopped my car.”
“Did you call 911?”
“No.”
“Did you approach her vehicle?”
“Yes.”
“Was Eleanor alive?”
Vanessa covered her mouth.
“I don’t know.”
“Did you take her phone?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
Daniel stood so quickly his chair fell.
Vanessa continued crying on the screen.
“I panicked.”
Detective Holt’s voice became ice.
“You removed evidence from a fatal crash and left without calling for help?”
“I saw another car coming.”
“Whose?”
May you like
Vanessa whispered one name.
“Adrian.”
