At first, I didn't understand why Nia was showing it to me.
Then she turned the photograph over.
Claire had written something on the back.
The money wasn't missing by accident. She knows where it went.
I felt my hands turn cold.
Outside the study, I heard Vanessa walking through the hallway.
Then her voice came from behind the door.
“James, please open up.”
I didn't answer.
She knocked.
“James, you're making a terrible mistake.”
I looked toward my children.
Ethan had moved away from the window.
He was watching the door.
His expression told me everything I needed to know about what that voice meant to him.
I took out my phone.
And for the first time since marrying Vanessa, I began making calls she didn't know about.
I called my attorney first.
Daniel Reeves had represented my company for nearly fifteen years. He wasn't a criminal lawyer, but he was someone I trusted to tell me when a situation required expertise he didn't possess.
He answered after the second ring.
“James?”
“Daniel, I need help.”
Something in my voice made him stop speaking.
“What's happened?”
I looked toward the closed study door.
“My children found information about Claire's death.”
There was a silence.
Then he asked, “What kind of information?”
I looked toward Ethan.
My son was standing with his arms folded tightly across his chest.
I took a breath.
“Evidence suggesting someone was there when she fell. And that someone may have concealed what happened.”
Daniel's voice became serious.
“Are the children safe?”
“Yes. They're with me.”
“Is the person you're concerned about still in the house?”
I glanced toward the door.
“Yes.”
He paused.
“Then focus on keeping the situation calm and getting everyone somewhere safe. Don't try to investigate or confront anyone alone. Preserve the documents you've been given, and contact law enforcement.”
I swallowed.
“Daniel, it's Vanessa.”
Another silence followed.
He knew my wife.
He'd attended our wedding.
He'd helped revise portions of my estate plan after we married.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he answered quietly.
“James, that doesn't change what I just told you.”
I looked toward Nia.
She was sitting on the sofa, holding Claire's photograph.
“I understand.”
Daniel continued.
“I'll help you identify appropriate independent counsel, but this needs to be handled properly. Especially if there's evidence connected to a death investigation.”