Chapter 9
I went to the bank the next morning.
The safe deposit box was in the basement. Old-fashioned. Secure.
I opened it.
Inside were more documents. More evidence. Property deeds. Bank account information.
And an envelope with my name on it.
I opened it.
A letter from Margaret. And a photograph.
The photograph was of me. Holding newborn Elodie. I was smiling. Happy. I looked like a different person.
The letter said:
Maren,
If you're reading this, something has happened to me. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you finish what we started.
I want you to know how truly sorry I am for everything I did. I destroyed your life to protect my son. And I will regret it until my last breath.
But I also want you to know that I've seen you with Elodie. Even from a distance. Even when you didn't know I was watching. You're a good mother. The best she could ever have.
In this box, you'll find the deed to a small cottage in Maine. It's in your name now. It's remote. Safe. A place for you and Elodie to start over.
There's also enough money to take care of both of you for a long time. I've been saving it for years. Waiting for the right moment to make amends.
Fight for her, Maren. She needs you.
And thank you for giving me a chance to do the right thing, even if it was too late.
Margaret
Tears blurred my vision.
I closed the letter. I put it back in the envelope.
Margaret had given me more than evidence. She'd given me a future.
I left the bank and went back to the motel.
Detective Chen was waiting for me. She had a laptop open. News articles. Social media posts. Everything we needed.
"I've been coordinating with my contact at the news station," she said. "They're going to run the story the moment the gala starts. They've verified the evidence. They're ready."
She turned the laptop toward me.
"I've also created an anonymous website," she said. "All the evidence is uploaded. We'll go live with it at 8 PM Saturday night. It'll spread like wildfire. Harrison won't be able to contain it."
I looked at the website. Clean. Simple. Powerful.
Photographs of Elodie's bruises. Medical reports. Text messages between Harrison and Captain Reeves. Bank records showing bribes.
It was devastating.
"What about security at the gala?" I said.
"Harrison will have his own people," Detective Chen said. "But I've arranged for a few trusted officers to be there. Plainclothes. They'll be ready to move in the moment things go down."
She reached into her bag and pulled out an invitation.
"You're going to need this," she said.
I looked at the elegant invitation. The Mercer Gala. Black tie.
"How?" I said.
"Margaret had an extra," she said. "She was going to bring a friend. Now that friend is you."
She handed me a dress bag.
"Size 6," she said. "I hope it fits."
I unzipped the bag. A beautiful emerald green evening gown. Simple. Elegant. Nothing like what I'd been wearing.
"They'll recognize me," I said.
"Not like this," Detective Chen said. "I've arranged for a hair and makeup artist. She's coming tomorrow. She knows what to do. You'll look like a completely different person."
She was right. I was thin from three years of stress. My hair was longer. I'd aged. With the right styling, Harrison might not recognize me until it was too late.
"And when we get inside?" I said.
"Harrison is giving a speech at 8:30," she said. "That's when we make our move. I'll be by your side. My officers will be in position. The news will be running the story. The website will be live."
She looked at me.
"All you have to do is walk up to him during his speech. And show everyone the truth."
I thought about what that meant. Walking into the lion's den. Confronting the man who'd destroyed my life. In front of everyone who'd ever believed his lies.
It was terrifying.
It was exactly what I needed to do.
"Okay," I said.
Detective Chen smiled. It was the first time I'd seen her smile.
"Good," she said. "Now let's go over the plan one more time. And this time, we don't miss anything."
We spent the rest of the day going over every detail. Every possible scenario. Every backup plan.
By the time Detective Chen left, I felt ready.
Scared. Nervous. But ready.
I looked at the photograph of me and newborn Elodie. I taped it to the mirror.
Six days.
May you like
I was coming for you, baby.
Mommy's coming.
