Chapter 7 - Vanessa Tells the Garage Story
Vanessa admitted she had been in Ethan’s garage six days before Caroline
died.
But she said Caroline invited her.
Caroline wanted Vanessa to cooperate against Ryan.
Vanessa brought financial records.
Paul saw her leaving.
Vanessa denied touching the vehicle.
She also had evidence that she and Ryan were at the coastal hotel during
the approximate crash time.
Then technicians restored Paul’s damaged audio.
“I saw Vanessa in the garage with Caroline. After Vanessa left, Daniel
came in.”
Daniel Mercer was questioned immediately.
He admitted opening Caroline’s hood.
But Caroline had asked him to inspect the SUV because she feared
tampering.
A text confirmed it:
CHECK SUV BEFORE 6. DON’T TELL ETHAN YET.
Daniel saw nothing wrong.
He later kept silent because he feared Ethan would blame him for missing
the problem.
Smart-home logs revealed someone had entered the garage earlier using
Maria’s old service code.
Maria had been at Lily’s preschool.
Her old card had been lost and replaced by Paul.
Paul had access.
His bank records showed a $75,000 payment from Ryan three days after the
crash.
The payment description:
DISPOSAL / C.V. VEHICLE.
Paul had been paid to remove the brake assembly afterward.
His widow found a safety-deposit key.
Inside was Paul’s handwritten confession.
It said Ryan had not physically cut the brake line.
Paul claimed he saw another person leaving the garage.
May you like
MARGARET COLE.
Ethan’s mother.
