Chapter 2 - THE BRAKE LINE
I stared at the evidence bag until the plastic blurred.
"What is that?"
Dad didn't touch it again.
"A fitting from your rear brake line. The state police requested a mechanical inspection after the tow-yard technician noticed fresh tool marks."
"Fresh?"
"Made recently."
The crash came back in pieces.
My foot pressing the brake pedal.
"They think somebody touched my brakes?"
"They think somebody may have. That's different. Let them prove it."
That was my father all over.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because you were unconscious for two days, heavily medicated for the next week, and the detective didn't want rumors reaching anyone connected to the vehicle before they finished the first inspection."
"Julian drives my car sometimes."
Dad nodded.
"Who else had access?"
"No one. Maybe the dealership. The valet at Chloe's school fundraiser."
The morning of the crash, Julian had been in the garage.
"Dad."
"Say it."
"Julian was under the hood that morning."
Dad's expression didn't change, but his hand went still on the chair arm.
"Did you see what he was doing?"
"No."
"Then don't turn memory into proof. Tell the detective exactly what you remember, nothing more."
The nurse came in with medication, and Dad moved aside while she checked my IV.
She had been on the night shift for most of my stay, and she had seen Julian exactly once before that day.
"Mrs. Mercer," she said, "hospital security filed an incident report about what happened just now. I also documented your pain spike and the bruising on your arm."
Julian's fingerprints were already turning red against my skin.
"Thank you."
"Do you feel safe going home with him?"
"No."
Dad waited until she left.
Then he asked, "Where is Chloe?"
"With Julian's mother. At least that's what he told me."
"Have you spoken to her today?"
One voicemail from Chloe's school.
"Mrs. Mercer, this is Ms. Reynolds in the front office. We need to confirm an emergency pickup authorization. Mr. Mercer has requested that Chloe be released to a woman named Dana Kessler. Dana is not currently listed on Chloe's approved pickup form. Please call us immediately."
"Who is Dana Kessler?" Dad asked.
"Julian's financial consultant."
Dad's gaze sharpened.
"Why would his financial consultant be picking up your daughter?"
I called the school.
"Chloe is still here," she said quickly. "We did not release her."
"Do not let anyone take her except my father, Marcus Hale, until I send written instructions through the principal."
Dad was already standing.
"I'm on my way."
"Dad."
"Bring her to me."
"I will."
A text from Julian.
I showed Dad.
"Don't answer," he said.
Then he forwarded them to the detective.
Twenty minutes later, a social worker arrived with a police officer.
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And before my father even reached Chloe's school, we learned that Dana Kessler was not just Julian's financial consultant.
She was also the beneficiary listed on a new account opened in my name eleven days before my crash.
