Chapter 7: The Secret Behind the Voice
“Marcus, I think I know why Vanessa is afraid.””
Danielle's words hung between them, heavier than anything she had said since his return.
Marcus stood in Lily's bedroom, holding his phone so tightly that his knuckles had turned pale. The afternoon light fell across the little bed, the pink blanket, and the stuffed rabbit Danielle had been clutching moments earlier.
He stared at his wife.
“Why would Vanessa be afraid?””
Danielle shook her head.
“I don't know if I'm right.””
“Then tell me what you're thinking.””
She looked toward the hallway, as though someone might be listening.
“Before your trip, Vanessa called me.””
Marcus frowned.
“What?””
“About three weeks before Lily died. She said she needed to confirm something about your travel arrangements. You were in a meeting, so she asked me whether I knew when you planned to return.””
“That sounds normal. She handled my schedule.””
“I thought so, too. But she didn't end the call after I answered. She asked about Lily.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“What about her?””
“She asked whether Lily was still attending kindergarten and whether she had been having trouble sleeping.””
He stared at Danielle.
“Why would she ask that?””
“I asked her the same question. She said you had mentioned Lily was having nightmares and that she wanted to make sure your schedule left enough time for you to be with your family.””
Marcus looked away.
He remembered mentioning Lily's nightmares at work. He had been talking to a colleague about how difficult it was to balance business travel with being a father. Vanessa had been nearby.
He had never thought anything of it.
“What else did she ask?”” he said.
Danielle swallowed.
“She asked whether Lily was close to her teacher. She asked whether I ever let Lily use my phone to call you.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“Did you tell her?””
“I said Lily sometimes asked to call you when you were away. I didn't think it was a secret. Why would I?””
He paced toward the bedroom door, then stopped.
There was still no evidence Vanessa had sent the message. There was no proof she had answered the teacher's call. Yet every new detail seemed to place her closer to the center of the mystery.
“Why didn't you tell me about this before?”” he asked.
“Because at the time, it was just a strange conversation. I didn't connect it to Wednesday night until Mrs. Parker told us someone had answered the phone.””
Marcus pressed his fingers against his forehead.
“Did Vanessa ever come to this house?””
“Once.””
He looked up sharply.
“When?””
“During the summer. You had forgotten a folder at home, and she brought it over because you needed it for a meeting. Lily was here.””
Marcus remembered that day vaguely. He had been rushing out the door, and Vanessa had arrived with a stack of papers.
“Did she speak to Lily?””
“Yes. She complimented her yellow dress.””
Danielle's eyes filled again.
“Lily was so excited that someone from your work knew who she was. She told Vanessa that you were going to take her to the aquarium when you came home.””
Marcus lowered his head.
He had promised Lily that trip.
He had promised it so many times that the words had become part of their routine.
“When I get back, sweetheart.””
After the trip.
Next weekend.
Soon.
Now there would be no aquarium, no small hand wrapped around his fingers, no little voice asking whether sharks slept with their eyes open.
Marcus leaned against the doorframe.
“Did Vanessa say anything else to Lily?””
“Not that I remember.””
Danielle paused.
“Actually, there was something.””
He turned toward her.
“What?””
“Lily asked Vanessa whether she could call you. Vanessa said you were very busy and that she shouldn't interrupt you.””
Marcus felt as though someone had struck him.
“She said that to Lily?””
“She was probably trying to be polite. I didn't think it meant anything at the time.””
“But Lily wanted to talk to me.””
“I know.””
He closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he forced himself to look at Danielle.
“We need to tell Officer Brooks about this conversation.””
“Yes.””
“And Mrs. Parker needs to provide the original message.””
“She said she would.””
Marcus called Officer Brooks and explained the new information. He was careful to distinguish what he remembered from what Danielle had told him. Brooks listened without interrupting, then asked them not to contact Vanessa again until investigators had a chance to assess the information.
“I want to be clear,” Brooks said.
“A person's questions or access to a phone don't establish that they sent a message. We need independent evidence.””
“I understand,” Marcus replied.
“Also, did Mrs. Parker confirm that she saved the original message?””
“Yes. She's willing to provide it.””
“Good. Ask her to preserve the original and share it through the appropriate channels. Please don't ask her to forward screenshots around or alter anything.””
After the call, Marcus sat beside Danielle on Lily's bed.
Neither of them spoke for a long time.
Finally, Danielle rested the stuffed rabbit beside her.
“I hate that I'm starting to suspect people,” she whispered.
“I hate that I can't remember that night without wondering who knew what.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You're not doing anything wrong by asking questions.””
“What if the answers make everything worse?””
He took a breath.
“Then we'll face them.””
She studied his face, searching for a promise he could actually keep.
“Do you still trust Vanessa?””
Marcus thought about the unanswered calls, the mysterious message, the late-night calendar appointment, and the woman who had suddenly refused to meet him.
“I trust evidence,” he said quietly.
“And right now, we don't have enough.””
That evening, Officer Brooks called again.
She had spoken with the appropriate investigators about the reported messages and had begun coordinating the next steps. She could not disclose every detail, but she had one important update.
“Mrs. Parker has preserved the original text,” Brooks said.
“She is arranging to provide it, along with the relevant call records she has available.””
Marcus gripped the edge of the kitchen counter.
“Did she tell you what the message said?””
“She has described it, but I want the original preserved and reviewed before we treat anyone's recollection as definitive.””
“Is there anything else?””
Brooks paused.
“Mrs. Parker also remembers receiving a call shortly after the text. She believes a woman answered, but she cannot identify the caller with certainty.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“We already know that.””
“Then you understand why I need you to remain patient. We have a possible voice, an unexplained message, and a person who may have had access to your device. Those are separate facts. We must establish whether they connect.””
After the call, Marcus went into his office at home and opened his laptop.
He reviewed the company calendar entry again.
*PERSONAL — DO NOT DISTURB.*
Vanessa had been the only attendee.
He opened the appointment details and found a small note attached to the record. It had been added after the original entry was created.
The note contained only three words.
*Use the other phone.*
Marcus stared at the screen.
He didn't know who had written them or what they referred to. He couldn't even be certain the note had anything to do with Lily.
But when he checked the appointment's history, he discovered that the note had been added from a device he didn't recognize.
He preserved the information and sent it to the company's security team.
Then his phone rang.
It was Vanessa.
He answered without greeting her.
“Why did you send me that email?””
“I didn't think you'd understand any other way.””
“Understand what?””
She breathed shakily.
“Marcus, I didn't send that message about Lily.””
“I never said you did.””
“You're thinking it.””
“Then tell me what you know.””
“I can't explain everything over the phone.””
“You said that yesterday.””
“Because someone is going to get hurt if this comes out the wrong way.””
Marcus stood abruptly.
“Someone is already gone, Vanessa!””
Silence.
Then she whispered, “I know.””
“Did you have my phone Wednesday night?””
“I can't answer that.””
“Why not?””
“Because if I tell you what happened, you'll think I was responsible.””
Marcus felt his heart hammering.
“Were you?””
“No!””
Her answer came so quickly that he almost believed her.
Then she spoke again.
“I never wanted Lily to die.””
Marcus froze.
He had not asked whether she wanted his daughter dead.
Vanessa seemed to realize what she had said.
“Marcus, I need you to listen to me. I didn't cause what happened to Lily. But I know why that message was sent.””
His mouth went dry.
“Then tell me.””
“I can't.””
“Vanessa—”
“Look at the calendar appointment again,” she whispered.
“Look at who had access to it before I did.””
The call ended.
Marcus remained motionless, staring at the phone.
Then he reopened the appointment history and expanded the access records.
There was another name listed beneath Vanessa's.
A name he recognized immediately.
May you like
A name that belonged to someone he had trusted far longer than he had trusted his secretary.
*Danielle Reed.*
