Chapter 11 - The Last Witness
The death of Dr. Harold Voss changed the investigation.
Until that moment, authorities had been building a case involving fraud, unlawful confinement, conspiracy, and medical misconduct.
Now there was a suspicious death.
And the possibility that someone was eliminating witnesses.
Detective Collins worked with federal investigators to reconstruct Voss's final days.
Security footage showed him meeting an unidentified man at a roadside diner.
Two days later, he was found dead in his home.
The medical examiner determined that he had suffered a fatal cardiac event, but investigators discovered evidence that someone had entered the property shortly before his death.
The photograph of Noah remained unexplained.
Gabriel feared Richard had arranged it.
Elise feared something worse.
That Noah was still being used as leverage.
They increased security around the mansion.
But this time, Gabriel refused to rely on anyone connected to his father's network.
He hired a new security firm recommended by the family's attorney.
He also began making changes inside the house.
Victoria's photographs were removed from the public rooms, but not destroyed.
Elise insisted on that.
“Noah lived those years,” she told Gabriel. “We shouldn't pretend they never happened.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“Even after everything she did?”
“Eliminating every trace of her won't eliminate his memories.”
He nodded.
Elise continued.
“He needs to know the truth without being forced to hate someone he once loved.”
Gabriel watched her.
After seven years of suffering, Elise still understood something he was struggling to learn.
Healing was not the same as revenge.
One evening, Noah asked whether he could sleep in the room beside Elise's.
Gabriel agreed.
The boy carried his stuffed dinosaur into the hallway.
Elise helped him arrange his blankets.
“Mommy?”
She looked at him.
“Yes?”
“Can you sing the song?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Of course.”
She sat beside him.
Then began the lullaby.
A soft melody about stars watching over sleeping children.
Noah closed his eyes.
Halfway through, he began singing with her.
Elise stopped.
“You remember the words?”
He nodded.
“Some of them.”
She smiled through her tears.
“That's wonderful.”
Noah looked at her.
“Did you sing it when I was a baby?”
“Every night.”
“Even when you were sad?”
“Especially then.”
He reached for her hand.
“Were you sad because you missed me?”
Elise nodded.
“Very much.”
Noah thought for a moment.
Then he whispered, “I missed you too. I just didn't know who you were.”
Elise bent forward and kissed his forehead.
For the first time since returning, she felt something stronger than grief.
Hope.
But downstairs, Gabriel received a call from Marcus Hale.
He nearly ignored it.
Then he answered.
“Marcus.”
The investigator sounded exhausted.
“Gabriel, I need to explain.”
“You lied to me.”
“Yes.”
“You helped my father.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Elise was imprisoned.”
A long silence.
“Yes.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
“Why?”
Marcus's voice broke.
“Because Richard had evidence that could send my brother to prison. He threatened to use it unless I cooperated.”
Gabriel felt no sympathy.
“You still had a choice.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you calling?”
“Because I have something that can help bring Richard back.”
“What?”
“Original recordings. Financial transfers. Instructions. Everything.”
Gabriel gripped the phone.
“Where are they?”
“In a safe deposit box.”
“Give them to the police.”
“I will.”
“Then do it.”
Marcus hesitated.
“Gabriel, there's something you need to understand.”
“What?”
“Richard isn't the only person who benefited from Elise's disappearance.”
Gabriel frowned.
“Who else?”
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Your company's board.”
Gabriel went still.
Marcus continued.
“Several directors knew the truth. They helped bury it because Elise had evidence of financial crimes.”
Gabriel stared at the wall.
“Names.”
“I'll give them to Collins.”
May you like
Then Marcus said something that made Gabriel's blood run cold.
“One of those directors is still inside your house.”
