Daniel Played the Recorder Sophie Found — Then Vanessa Mentioned a Suitcase Hidden Upstairs
Chapter 5 — Eric Wells
Vanessa had been married before.
Not briefly.
For almost nine years.
Daniel had never known.
She told him the marriage ended badly.
She changed cities.
Started using her maiden name again.
Then met Daniel two years later.
“Why lie about being married?”
Vanessa stared at the floor.
“Because Eric wasn’t someone I wanted in my life.”
“Then why is he secretly in my house?”
Her head lifted.
“He wasn’t here.”
Daniel held up the recorder.
“Where was this recorded?”
“A hotel.”
“And you’re planning something together.”
Vanessa started crying.
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“You had enough choice to hide a suitcase, forge my signature, and frame Sophie for stealing.”
Vanessa flinched.
Daniel looked at the travel documents again.
“Why Seattle?”
“Eric lives outside the city.”
“Why are you taking Sophie?”
Vanessa didn’t answer.
“Why my daughter?”
Finally, Vanessa whispered:
“Because Eric believes Sophie has something that belongs to him.”
Daniel stared at her.
“She’s seven years old.”
“Not something she knows about.”
“What?”
Vanessa looked toward Sophie’s bedroom.
Then she said a name Daniel had not expected.
“Rachel’s notebook.”
Daniel froze.
Rachel had been Sophie’s mother.
She died when Sophie was four.
Daniel had never told Vanessa much about Rachel’s final months.
“How do you know about Rachel’s notebook?”
Vanessa looked at him.
“Because Rachel knew Eric.”
