Page 81 of Defending Love
“Unless,” I said, “those people planted the letter.”
Dani met my gaze. “Why come to us about the contents of the safe? They brought attention to themselves.”
I shrugged. “Maybe they thought you’d tell them what you found. They were confirming that we had the letter.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“What did it say?” Damien asked.
“The handwriting looked like Dad’s,” Dani began. “But two handwriting experts from Guardian say it was forged.” She took a breath. “I only read it once, but it said something about ‘if we found the note, Dad’s worst nightmare came true.” She turned to me.
One of the skills of my profession was photographic memory.
“It said,” I went on, “If this is ever found, my worst nightmare came true. I pray it was only me that he came after and that those I love are safe. The decision wasn’t easy, but given the circumstances, I would do it again. No price is too high to save that which was built. Don’t question. Don’t let the truth come out. I’ll take it to my grave; let it rest there. Please, to those who know, keep your word, for the sake of my family and legacy.”
Damien slumped back in his chair. “Fuck.”
“The thing is,” Dani said, “if Dad didn’t write it, who did and why?”
“Someone,” Damien said, “wants us to question. If those fake FBI agents planted it, and then went to you, they must have wanted to know that you found it.”
Dani looked my direction. “We didn’t confirm or deny what we found. They wanted to see it, and you told them no.”
My eyes opened wider. “There’s one other way for them to confirm that we found it. If someone checks the safe and it’s missing.”
Her blue gaze sparkled. “Have you checked your new surveillance devices?”
“No,” I said, turning toward my makeshift office.
Dani and Damien were on my tail as I went into the small bedroom and brought to life my desktop that Larry had set up. A few clicks and I had the program. I only set up the camera yesterday. Truthfully, the FBI guys could have gone back Friday night after talking to us. If that were the case, my camera was too late.
“The camera in the office picked up on motion yesterday afternoon,” I said.
Dani and Damien came into the room, peering over my shoulder. We all stared at the screen as a small light-brown dog ran in circles on the floor. I’d only seen the dog once. I turned to Dani. “Is that Hoosier?”
With her eyes as wide as saucers, she nodded.
A woman’s voice could be heard before she could be seen. Carol, Marsha’s neighbor, spoke to the dog as she pulled back the picture frame and entered the correct code. She lifted the felt liner and placed it back. After relocking the safe and returning the picture frame, she turned to the dog. “That’s good. I’ll let him know they have it. Come on, Hoosier. Let’s go home.”
“Him,” Dani said, turning to her brother.
“Not fucking me.”
“Who?” When neither one responded, I asked, “What do you know about Carol?”
Damien shook his head. “Nothing.”
Dani pursed her lips. “Her last name is Webster. Her husband passed away before she moved next door to Mom and Dad. Why she knew the combination to the safe, no clue.” Her blue eyes opened wider. “Carol was the one to tell us about the people taking things from Mom’s house. Why would she do that if she is working with them?”
Damien spoke. “Eli, can you find Carol’s phone and see who she called last night? Was there a time stamp on that video?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Damien looked at his watch. “I need to get home to Ella and Dylan. Call me as soon as you learn anything.” He and Dani walked toward the front door.
I followed, interested in what might be said.
“I’m sorry,” Dani said as she reached for her brother’s hand. “I never thought you were capable of hurting Dad.”
