Chapter 10 - The Letter No One Was Supposed to Find
The words on the letter seemed to suck every bit of color from Mark's face.
For several seconds, he didn't blink.
He didn't breathe.
He simply stared.
Rachel held the document without speaking.
Vanessa slowly walked closer.
"May I?"
Rachel handed her the first page.
Vanessa read only the heading before looking at Mark.
"You told me they had closed the investigation."
"I thought they had."
"You thought?"
Mark rubbed both temples.
"It was only a routine audit."
Rachel shook her head.
"This isn't an audit."
She pointed to the reference number.
"This is a preliminary financial investigation."
Emma looked from one face to another.
"I don't understand any of this."
I gently closed the jewelry box.
"You don't have to."
Mark suddenly stepped forward.
"Give me those papers."
Rachel calmly placed the folder back into her briefcase.
"They belong to Laura."
"They concern me."
"They were abandoned inside property that legally belongs to my client."
"You can't use them."
Rachel smiled faintly.
"Whether they can be used isn't your decision."
Mark looked at me.
"You planned this."
I laughed softly.
"You keep saying that."
"You knew I'd come back."
"I honestly hoped I would never see you again."
The words hurt him far more than shouting would have.
Because they were true.
Emma quietly walked toward the window.
Rain continued falling outside.
"So..."
she whispered,
"You really weren't trying to get him back?"
I looked at her.
"No."
She nodded slowly.
"I believe you."
Mark looked horrified.
"Emma..."
She raised one hand.
"Please."
"For once, stop talking."
Silence filled the apartment again.
Vanessa folded the investigation letter.
"Laura."
"Yes?"
"How many documents are still inside that safe?"
"Only copies."
"Copies of what?"
I hesitated.
Rachel answered instead.
"Business contracts."
Mark closed his eyes.
"Oh no..."
Rachel looked directly at him.
May you like
"Oh yes."
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