Chapter 14 - The Truth About Eleanor Mercer
The investigation lasted months.
Daniel Hayes was charged with kidnapping, financial crimes, evidence tampering, and conspiracy.
The case surrounding Eleanor Mercer’s death reopened.
Records from Robert Hayes’s old company showed that he had followed Eleanor the night she died.
A mechanic later testified that damage to her brakes had been concealed.
Robert Hayes had died years earlier.
He could not be tried.
But the truth no longer belonged to rumor.
Evelyn cooperated.
Her testimony exposed Thomas Bennett’s overseas bribery scheme and her own role in burying Robert’s theft.
Claire listened to every ugly detail.
She stopped trying to defend the dead.
Her father had loved her.
He had also broken the law.
Both could be true.
That lesson became the hardest part of growing up at forty-one.
Vanessa met Lauren for the first time as a sister in a quiet room at the district attorney’s office.
Claire did not attend.
That meeting did not belong to her.
Later, Lauren came to see Claire.
She placed her Bennett Aerospace badge on the desk.
“I resigned.”
Claire nodded.
“You should have.”
Lauren’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
“You almost took my company.”
“I know.”
“You lied to me for years.”
“I know.”
Claire hated how much she still recognized her friend.
“You also helped save Eli.”
Lauren broke then.
Claire did not hug her.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
But she did not turn away.
“I’m going to testify,” Lauren said.
“You should.”
“Against Daniel. Against myself if they ask.”
Claire looked out the office window.
“That’s the first honest thing you’ve done in a long time.”
Lauren nodded.
Then she left.
On the desk, beneath her badge, she had placed a photograph.
Two young women at graduation.
Claire and Lauren.
May you like
Smiling.
Certain the future would be simpler than the past.
