Daniel Played the Recorder Sophie Found — Then Vanessa Mentioned a Suitcase Hidden Upstairs
Chapter 6 — Rachel and Eric
Before Sophie was born, Rachel worked for a real-estate management company.
Eric Wells had been one of its outside contractors.
Daniel knew none of this.
Vanessa explained that she discovered the connection only after she married Daniel.
One evening, she found an old photograph while reorganizing a closet.
Rachel was standing at a company event.
Eric was in the background.
Vanessa recognized him immediately.
She contacted Eric.
That was her first mistake.
Eric told her Rachel had kept records concerning a group of properties he managed.
According to him, the notebook contained information that could damage him financially.
“What information?” Daniel asked.
Vanessa shook her head.
“I never saw it.”
“Then why does he think Sophie has it?”
Because shortly before Rachel died, she created a box of keepsakes for Sophie.
Photographs.
Letters.
Small personal items.
Daniel still had it in storage.
Eric believed Rachel had placed the notebook inside.
“Why not just ask me?” Daniel demanded.
Vanessa gave him a miserable look.
“Because he said you’d call the police the second you knew his name.”
“He was right.”
Vanessa nodded.
Eric began threatening her months earlier.
He had documents from their old marriage.
Old debts Vanessa had never disclosed.
And photographs showing Vanessa meeting him secretly after marrying Daniel.
He threatened to send everything to Daniel unless she helped him find Rachel’s notebook.
“So where does Sophie fit into the trip?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Eric said Rachel may have told her something.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Sophie was four when Rachel died.”
“I know.”
“And you were going to take her across the country because some man wanted to question her about a notebook?”
Vanessa whispered:
“I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Daniel immediately reached for his phone.
“You’re done thinking about this alone.”
